Numbers 1:38-39
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Despite Dan being established as having only one son in the lineage, the text highlights his tribe's surprising and disproportionately large number of men fit for war. This immense growth underscores God's powerful blessing and sovereignty, even in circumstances that might seem improbable by human standards.
Of the people of Dan, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: those listed of the tribe of Dan were 62,700.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a census of the Israelite tribes taken by Moses and Aaron shortly after they left Egypt. The purpose was to count all the men fit for military service, organized by family and lineage, as they prepared to journey towards the Promised Land. This specific count for the tribe of Dan follows the detailed enumeration of other tribes and precedes the totals for the remaining tribes.
Why was Israel counted like soldiers before entering the Promised Land? This wasn't just a headcount; it was preparation for a divinely appointed mission.
Preparing for Battle and Blessing
This census in Numbers 1 wasn't simply about knowing how many people there were. It was a strategic military count, focusing on every male 'able to go to war.'
In ancient Israel, your identity wasn't just 'you.' It was deeply tied to your lineage. Why was this so important?
The Power of Belonging
The repeated phrasing 'by their generations, by their clans, by the house of their fathers' emphasizes the structured social fabric of Israel.
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This census, taken in the second year after leaving Egypt, was a pivotal moment. It organized the people for both military campaigns ahead and the eventual division of the Promised Land, highlighting God's ordered provision for His people.
c. 1446 BC
Israelites Leave Egypt
After 400 years of slavery, the Israelites, led by Moses, are freed from bondage in Egypt. This marks the beginning of their 40-year journey through the wilderness.
c. 1445 BC
Wilderness of Sinai
The Israelites arrive at Mount Sinai, where God establishes the Mosaic Covenant and gives them the Law through Moses. They spend about a year at Sinai.
c. 1445 BC— this verse
First Census Ordered
God commands Moses to take a census of all the Israelite men aged 20 and older who are able to go to war. This census is to be organized by tribe and family.
c. 1445 BC
Tribal Levies Recorded
The census results are recorded for each tribe, detailing the number of eligible warriors. This information is crucial for military organization and future land allocation.
c. 1445 BC
Levites Numbered Separately
The Levites, set apart for sacred service, are not included in the general military census, highlighting their distinct role within the community.
c. 1444 BC
Israelites Depart Sinai
After the census and the erection of the Tabernacle, the Israelites break camp and begin their journey toward the Promised Land. The census provides a clear picture of the nation's strength as they embark on this new phase.
This passage records the allotment of land for the tribe of Dan, showing that even though they were numbered as a fighting force, they eventually received their inheritance within the promised land.
Judges 18:1-31This narrative highlights the tribe of Dan's migration and conquest of new territory, illustrating their capability as a people described as 'able to go to war' in the census.
Genesis 49:16-17Jacob's prophecy about Dan foretold his role as a judge and warrior, which aligns with the census's focus on counting men fit for military service.
2 Samuel 24:1-9This passage describes another census of Israel, showing a recurring practice of God and His leaders to count the people, often for purposes of national strength and organization.
gillNumbers 1:38: "Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;"
Of the children of Dan, by their generations,.... See Gill on Numbers 1:20 .
calvinNumbers 1:1-54: "And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,"
And the Lord spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
Loquutus est autem Jehova ad Mosen in deserto Sinai, in…
Despite Dan being established as having only one son in the lineage, the text highlights his tribe's surprising and disproportionately large number of men fit for war. This immense growth underscores God's powerful blessing and sovereignty, even in circumstances that might seem improbable by human standards.
This passage is part of a census of the Israelite tribes taken by Moses and Aaron shortly after they left Egypt. The purpose was to count all the men fit for military service, organized by family and lineage, as they prepared to journey towards the Promised Land. This specific count for the tribe of Dan follows the detailed enumeration of other tribes and precedes the totals for the remaining tribes.
This passage is part of a census of the Israelite tribes taken by Moses and Aaron shortly after they left Egypt. The purpose was to count all the men fit for military service, organized by family and lineage, as they prepared to journey towards the Promised Land. This specific count for the tribe of Dan follows the detailed enumeration of other tribes and precedes the totals for the remaining tribes.
"Of the people of Dan, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war: those listed of the tribe of Dan were 62,700." — Despite Dan being established as having only one son in the lineage, the text highlights his tribe's surprising and disproportionately large number of men fit for war. This immense growth underscores…
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Last reviewed October 2026
