These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
God's order to number Israel came with careful limits: males of war age only, family by family, so each man knew his place and the government knew where to find him. When David numbered the people without commission long after, he paid dearly for it. The church is militant, and only those enlisted as soldiers of Jesus Christ are true members.
AI summary
Commenting on Numbers 1:1-16
These were the renowned of the congregation,.... The most famous and eminent among the people, for their birth and pedigree, or for their excellent qualities of wisdom, courage, and the like; or "the called of the congregation" (d), whom God had called by name and selected from the rest of the congregation to the above service, whereby great honour was done them: Aben Ezra says...
These were the renowned--literally, "the called" of the congregation, summoned by name; and they entered upon the survey the very day the order was given.