The departure from Egypt marks an unprecedented moment in human history. In a single instant, an entire nation is born and mobilized. The simultaneous exodus of millions of people, previously scattered across a vast land without any modern means of communication, stands as a profound logistical miracle that reveals the direct providence of God [ברכת אשר על התורה]. The massive scale of this departure represents the ultimate fulfillment of the divine promise made to Jacob, transforming his small family into a great nation [רלב״ג].
The journey began from the broader district of Rameses, the main area of their residence and the epicenter of their enslavement [חזקוני, שטיינזלץ, אבן עזרא, מנחת שי, ביאור ישר]. From there, they directed their path toward Sukkot, a city situated near the border [אבן עזרא, חזקוני, קאסוטו]. The journey itself contained a miraculous element. The rapid transition between locations suggests that a vast distance was crossed in the blink of an eye, as if the people were carried on the wings of eagles [רש״י, משכיל לדוד, שפתי חכמים]. Because of the intense haste and chaos of the departure, the Israelites left in a mixed, disorganized multitude and could not be counted immediately. It was only upon arriving at Sukkot that they were able to pause and determine their numbers [העמק דבר].
The census revealed a staggering figure of approximately six hundred thousand men. The approximate nature of this number suggests a few possibilities. It is viewed by some as a typical round figure meant to convey a massive multitude [קאסוטו]. Conversely, others suggest that the nation was exactly one person short of this grand total, and God Himself stepped in to complete the count [רבנו בחיי, תולדות יצחק]. This group is characterized as a marching multitude or an infantry force [רש״ר הירש, נתינה לגר].
The counting focused specifically on the men. The primary approach among commentators is that this referred to men aged twenty and older, the standard age for military service seen in later censuses [רש״י, שפתי חכמים, גור אריה, שד״ל, ביאור ישר]. However, an alternative perspective suggests the count included anyone considered a man, starting from the age of thirteen [הכתב והקבלה]. Highlighting the men serves to emphasize those who were fit for battle [ביאור ישר]. It also creates a sharp contrast to Pharaoh's earlier demand that only the men be allowed to leave, proving that now the entire nation was departing together [קאסוטו].
This massive figure was calculated entirely separate from the dependents. This category served as a comprehensive term for women, the elderly, and children who were not included in the primary census [העמק דבר, שטיינזלץ]. Even if the main count only included men over twenty, this specific term is used to describe the rest of the population because young children made up the vast majority of that remaining group [גור אריה, רש״ר הירש]. Women are not explicitly mentioned because their numbers were at least equal to, if not greater than, the men [אבן עזרא].
When calculating the entire population, including all dependents, the total reaches well over two million people. Such explosive demographic growth from a mere seventy individuals over just a few centuries is entirely miraculous. While ancient scholars and writers attempted to attribute this to natural causes, such as unique properties of the Nile River that supposedly encouraged the birth of twins and triplets in the region, the clear conclusion is that this was the result of direct divine intervention. It was the blessing of God that preserved their health, protected the children from harm, and raised up a colossal nation fully prepared to inherit the land [שד״ל].