Gen 12:2, 13:16, 16:10, 22:17, 28:14, Exo 32:13, Deu 1:10, 10:22, 1Ch 27:23 | TSK | STEP

ye are this day.This was the promise made by God to Abraham, (Ge 15:5, 6,) which Moses considers now as amply fulfilled. Many suppose the expression to be hyperbolical; and others, no friends to revelation, think it a vain, empty boast, because the stars, in their apprehension, amount to innumerable millions. But, as this refers to the number of stars that appear to the naked eye, which only amount to about 3,010 in both hemispheres, the number of the Israelites far exceeded this; for independently of women and children, at the last census, they amounted to more than 600,000.

Deuteronomy 10:22

with threescore.And now, from so small a beginning, they are multiplied to more than 600,000 men, besides women and children; and this, indeed, in the space of 40 years; for the 603,000 which came out of Egypt were at this time all dead, except Moses, Joshua, and Caleb. How easy can God increase and multiply, as well as diminish and bring low! In all things, by his omnipotence, he can do whatsoever he will; and he will do whatsoever is right.

Ge 46:27; Ex 1:5; Ac 7:14

as the stars.

1:10; 28:62; Ge 15:5; Nu 26:51,62; Ne 9:23; Heb 11:12

1 Chronicles 27:23

David took not.It seems probable, from this passage, that Joab began, by David's order, to number the children, as well as adults, but was prevented from finishing the account, probably because the plague had begun. The numbering of the effective men might have been deemed a political expedient; but pride and ostentation alone could dictate the numbering of minors and infants, especially as God had pronounced the seed of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, innumerable.

from twenty.

Nu 1:18

he would increase.

Ge 15:5; Heb 11:12