Num 1:2 & 3 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of [their] names, every male by their polls;

From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.


The 144,000 likely represent more than 144,000. Those under 20 weren't part of the count. Women were not part of the counting system. Israel did not send it's women or children to war.

It has been interesting reading the responses about counting. Some women take offense, which seems odd. Why would a woman want to be counted like cattle as part of those available to go off to war to be possibly killed or maimed?
Isa 1:18 "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."