And David said to Joab and to the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba even to Dan; and bring the number of them to me, that I may know it.

1 CHRONICLES 21:2KJV
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1 Chronicles 21:2 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 21:2 mean?

1 Chronicles 21:2 describes King David instructing Joab and the leaders of the people to count, or take a census of, all the Israelites from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north, so that David can know the total number of his people. The verse shows David taking an official action to gather information about the size of Israel.

In this scene, David is speaking directly to Joab, his chief military commander, and to other officials. The request covers the entire nation, from its southernmost point (Beersheba) to its northernmost (Dan), emphasizing the scope of the census. The verse sets up the events that follow, where David’s decision to count the people becomes a significant issue in the story.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 21:2

  • The word for “number” is סָפַר (safar), meaning to count or take a census. This is not just a casual counting, but an official, organized registration, which in ancient Israel often had military or administrative purposes.
  • The phrase “that I may know it” uses יָדַע (yada‘), meaning to know or to gain knowledge. Here, it highlights David’s personal desire for information, which becomes important in understanding his motivation and the later consequences.

Why 1 Chronicles 21:2 matters

  • The verse highlights David’s authority and his ability to command both military and civil leaders, showing the centralized power of the king.
  • By mentioning Beersheba and Dan, the verse underscores the unity and full extent of Israel at this time, from the far south to the far north.
  • The act of numbering the people is not just administrative; in the context of the wider passage, it leads to controversy and divine response, making this command a turning point in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“Beersheba” Hebrew H884 · used in 33 verses

  • Genesis 21:14 And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread, and a bottle of water, and gave it unto Hagar, putting it on her shoulder, and the child, and sent her away: and she departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba.
  • Joshua 15:28 And Hazarshual, and Beersheba, and Bizjothjah,
  • 1 Kings 19:3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.

“Dan” Hebrew H1835 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • Deuteronomy 27:13 And these shall stand upon mount Ebal to curse; Reuben, Gad, and Asher, and Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali.
  • 2 Samuel 3:10 To translate the kingdom from the house of Saul, and to set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah, from Dan even to Beersheba.

“Joab” Hebrew H3097 · used in 124 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:6 Then answered David and said to Ahimelech the Hittite, and to Abishai the son of Zeruiah, brother to Joab, saying, Who will go down with me to Saul to the camp? And Abishai said, I will go down with thee.
  • 2 Samuel 14:21 And the king said unto Joab, Behold now, I have done this thing: go therefore, bring the young man Absalom again.
  • 2 Samuel 24:3 And Joab said unto the king, Now the LORD thy God add unto the people, how many soever they be, an hundredfold, and that the eyes of my lord the king may see it: but why doth my lord the king delight in this thing?

“number” Hebrew H4557 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 32:8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
  • Ezra 3:4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;