Numbers 1:2

their families Rather their clans, i.e. groups of families related by blood.

fathers" houses here denotes families, smaller groups consisting of close relations; see Numbers 1:4; Exodus 12:3. The term is, however, elastic. It may denote even an entire tribe, as being descended from a single ancestor (Numbers 17:2), or the main subdivision of a tribe, i.e. a -clan" (Numbers 3:24; Exodus 6:14).

their polls lit. skulls, a metaphor for -individual persons." Cf. our word -poll-tax," and the -poll" at an election. This expression and -fathers" houses" are not found earlier than P.