Definition and Significance:
Numberings in the Bible refer to the act of counting or taking a census of the people, particularly the Israelites. This practice is significant as it often reflects God's instructions for organization, preparation for battle, or assessment of the community. The most notable numberings are found in the Book of Numbers, which derives its name from the censuses recorded within.

Biblical Instances:

1. The Census in the Wilderness (Numbers 1):
The first major numbering occurs in the wilderness of Sinai, where God commands Moses to take a census of the entire Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. This census was specifically for those able to serve in the army, from twenty years old and upward. The total number of men counted was 603,550 (Numbers 1:46).

2. The Second Census (Numbers 26):
A second census is taken in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, after a generation had passed and before entering the Promised Land. This census also counted men twenty years old and upward, able to go to war. The total number was 601,730 (Numbers 26:51). This census was crucial for the division of the land among the tribes.

3. David's Census (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21):
King David's numbering of Israel is another significant event, though it is marked by controversy. David orders a census of Israel and Judah, which displeases God, leading to a plague as punishment. This incident highlights the importance of divine approval in the act of numbering and the potential consequences of acting outside God's will.

Theological Implications:

· Divine Order and Preparation:
Numberings often reflect God's desire for order and preparation among His people. By organizing the Israelites into military units, God prepared them for the challenges they would face in conquering and settling the Promised Land.

· Faith and Obedience:
The censuses underscore the importance of faith and obedience to God's commands. The Israelites were to trust in God's provision and guidance, as seen in the censuses conducted under divine instruction.

· Human Pride and Divine Sovereignty:
The account of David's census serves as a cautionary tale about human pride and the need to recognize God's sovereignty. It illustrates the dangers of relying on human strength and numbers rather than trusting in God's power and provision.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near East, censuses were common for administrative and military purposes. The biblical numberings align with this practice but are distinct in their theological context, emphasizing God's role in the life and organization of His people. The censuses in the Bible are not merely administrative tasks but are imbued with spiritual significance, reflecting God's covenant relationship with Israel.

Conclusion:
Numberings in the Bible are more than mere records of population; they are acts of divine instruction that reveal God's care for His people, His plans for their future, and the importance of obedience and trust in His sovereignty.

The Syrian Enrollment in 8 Bc
... Claudius could verify from the records of earlier numberings the statement, which
a citizen of a small Italian town made about his age; and there can be no ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 8 the syrian enrollment.htm

The Census of Israel
... Our text is from the Book of Numbers, and the book well answers to its title;
for it continually deals with numbers and numberings. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

Numberings (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Numberings (1 Occurrence). Exodus 38:21 These are
the numberings of the tabernacle (the tabernacle of testimony ...
/n/numberings.htm - 6k

Numbering (35 Occurrences)

/n/numbering.htm - 19k

Numberless (1 Occurrence)

/n/numberless.htm - 6k

Parable (52 Occurrences)
... Supper, and the Talents of the Pounds. Other numberings are suggested by
Trench, Julicher and others. 4. Purpose of Christ in Using ...
/p/parable.htm - 38k

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