Num 1:2-3 | MHM | STEP | v. 2-3 : Only the men who were twenty years old or older and able to fight were to be counted. Boys under twenty were not included, even if they were strong, because God did not want them to go to war so young. Men who were too old or sick were also not counted. The census was organized by families and tribes, so everyone knew their place and leaders could find them easily. This was different from the earlier census, which was just for collecting money for the tabernacle ( v. 2, 3; Exodus 38:25,26 ).

‏ Numbers 1:2-3

v. 2-3: Only the men who were twenty years old or older and able to fight were to be counted. Boys under twenty were not included, even if they were strong, because God did not want them to go to war so young. Men who were too old or sick were also not counted. The census was organized by families and tribes, so everyone knew their place and leaders could find them easily. This was different from the earlier census, which was just for collecting money for the tabernacle (v. 2, 3; Exodus 38:25,26 ^a).

v. 3, 16: Moses and Aaron were in charge of the census, with one respected leader from each tribe helping them. These leaders were called the princes of the tribes. People who are honored should also be willing to serve and help others. Each tribe’s leader was responsible for his own people (v. 3, 16 ^b).