Numbers 1 - Why was the census taken? 2023

Num 1:2
"Take a census of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers' households, according to the number of names, every male, head by head

The first command given in this book is "Take a census." The next verse tells us the reason for the census. It is for military reasons. Another census is taken in chapter 26. This is apparently where the name of the book comes from. Censuses are taken of the people. That, in and of itself, does not seem to be an interesting item, but this book is filled with action. Israel was in the wilderness for forty years and the significant happenings of the people during that time are recorded in this book. Why was the census taken? That is a good question that many have asked. The numbering of the people consisted of numbering the men who were twenty years old and upward. It was those who were able to go out to war.