4 Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the Lord commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.
4 "Take a census of the men twenty years old or more, as the Lord commanded Moses." These were the Israelites who came out of Egypt:
4 "Take a census of the people,
4 "Count off from age twenty and older." The People of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt:
4 "Take a census of the people from twenty years old and above, just as the Lord commanded Moses and the children of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt."
4 "List all the men of Israel twenty years old and older, just as the Lord commanded Moses." This is the record of all the descendants of Israel who came out of Egypt.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 26:4
Commentary on Numbers 26:1-51
(Read Numbers 26:1-51)
Moses did not number the people but when God commanded him. We have here the families registered, as well as the tribes. The total was nearly the same as when numbered at mount Sinai. Notice is here taken of the children of Korah; they died not, as the children of Dathan and Abiram; they seem not to have joined even their own father in rebellion. If we partake not of the sins of sinners, we shall not partake of their plagues.