Easton's Bible Dictionary: M. G. Easton, M.A., D.D.
There are five instances of a census of the Jewish people having been taken.
- In the fourth month after the Exodus, when the people were encamped at Sinai. The number of men from twenty years old and upward was then 603, 550 (Ex. 38:26).
- Another census was made just before the entrance into Canaan, when the number was found to be 601, 730, showing thus a small decrease (Num. 26:51).
- The next census was in the time of David, when the number, exclusive of the tribes of Levi and Benjamin, was found to be 1, 300,000 (2 Sam. 24:9; 1 Chr. 21:5).
- Solomon made a census of the foreigners in the land, and found 153, 600 able-bodied workmen (2 Chr. 2:17, 18).
- After the return from Exile the whole congregation of Israel was numbered, and found to amount to 42, 360 (Ezra 2:64). A census was made by the Roman government in the time of our Lord (Lk. 2:1).