| Numbers 1:3
| From twenty years old and upwards, of all the men of Israel fit for war, and you shall number them by their troops, thou and Aaron.
| Arms, (fortium). "Strong or brave." The psalmist (civ. 37,) says, there was not one feeble. (Menochius) --- Troops. Hebrew, "army." Septuagint, "force." Their officers shall be at their head, and shall assist you in the work. Some might command 1000, others 100, and some only 50. See Exodus 13:18 and 18:21. --- [Ver. 4.] Princes; the first-born, or most ancient, (Lyranus,) the lineal descendants of the patriarchs; (Jansen) or, in fine, such as were chosen for their merit, as all were equally noble; and hence Nahasson, prince of Juda, is mentioned, though he was not a descendant of the eldest son of Juda, but of Phares; and those who were at the head of those who were numbered a little before the death of Moses, were not the descendants of these, (Numbers 26:64.) In effect, we find that Moses chose for his council, able men out of all Israel, Exodus 18:25. (Bonfrere) (Calmet)
|