3 You and Aaron are to count according to their divisions all the men in Israel who are twenty years old or more and able to serve in the army.

Other Translations of Numbers 1:3

King James Version

3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

English Standard Version

3 From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them, company by company.

The Message

3 You and Aaron are to register, company by company, every man who is twenty years and older who is able to fight in the army.

New King James Version

3 from twenty years old and above--all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

New Living Translation

3 twenty years old or older who are able to go to war. You and Aaron must register the troops,

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 1:3

Commentary on Numbers 1:1-43

(Read Numbers 1:1-43)

The people were numbered to show God's faithfulness in thus increasing the seed of Jacob, that they might be the better trained for the wars and conquest of Canaan, and to ascertain their families in order to the division of the land. It is said of each tribe, that those were numbered who were able to go forth to war; they had wars before them, though now they met with no opposition. Let the believer be prepared to withstand the enemies of his soul, though all may appear to be peace.