Census

The counting of individuals, usually for the purpose of war or taxation.

Motivations for a census

To count the number of fighting men available

Numbers 1:1–4, Numbers 26:1–4 See also Numbers 1:5–49, Numbers 26:5–65

On the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai. He said: “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. You and Aaron are to number those who are twenty years of age or older by their divisions— everyone who can serve in Israel’s army. And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you.

After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, “Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers — all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.” So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction, “Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt:

For ascertaining those qualified to be included in the Jewish community

Ezra 2:1–65 parallel Nehemiah 7:6–67

For purposes of taxation

Luke 2:2; Acts 5:37 See also Exodus 30:12

This was the first census to take place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.

After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and drew away people after him. He too perished, and all his followers were scattered.

God's anger at David's unauthorised census

2 Samuel 24:1–9 parallel 1 Chronicles 21:1–6 David's sin in taking this census was probably that he did so from a motive of self-sufficiency rather than trusting in God.