These were the ones chosen from the congregation, the chiefs of their ancestral tribes, the heads of the clans of Israel.
I. We have here a commission issued out for the numbering of the people of Israel; and David, long after, paid dearly for doing it without a commission. Here is, 1. The date of this commission, Num 1:1. (1.) The place: it is given at God's court in the wilderness of Sinai, from his royal palace, the tabernacle of the congregation.
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.