Numbers 1:3Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The census was conducted under the leadership of Moses and Aaron, enabling us to comprehend the unity of Christ; Moses embodies the lawgiver while Aaron represents the high priest. In this manner, He serves as both a lawgiver and a compassionate bishop (Hebrews 7:26), and through Him, a record is made in the heavenly books of those who have attained maturity and are recognized for their virtue. The insightful John likewise spoke to them, stating: ‘I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one’ (1 John 2:13).

These young men, at the age of twenty, symbolized the emergence of a new nation as they journeyed into the land of promise, and as previously mentioned, they did not waver to the right or the left. The age of twenty should not be likened to the innocence of children; however, this number seems to convey a profound significance. The Old Testament is often recognized through the Pentateuch authored by Moses, while the New Testament shines brightly with the authority of the four Gospels. When we consider these figures, they combine to make twenty: four multiplied by five or five multiplied by four equals twenty. This community, as stated, is familiar with the kingdom of heaven through the two covenants—the Old and the New.

All who are prepared for battle in Israel. The book of Numbers does not mention wives as weak, nor does it regard children as insignificant, with the exception of the firstborn and the sons of Levi. It also does not consider slaves as lacking in dignity or those born of intermarriages with foreigners as outsiders.

We remember what was previously noted regarding Exodus 30:12, which indicates that the directive to pay a ransom for souls was issued concurrently with the commencement of the Tabernacle's construction. However, the actual census occurred after the Tabernacle's completion. This assessment served dual purposes: it confirmed the amount of ransom paid by the Israelites while also signifying the enrollment of allable individuals for military service from the age of twenty and above (Numbers 21:14). In a similar manner, the half shekel collected from all the souls of Israel functioned as a tribute to Jehovah, the sovereign of Israel. This assessment was also designed to outline the obligatory participation of the children of Israel in 'the battles of the Lord.'