Numbers 1 14

Numbers 1:14 kjv

Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

Numbers 1:14 nkjv

from Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel;

Numbers 1:14 niv

from Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel;

Numbers 1:14 esv

from Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel;

Numbers 1:14 nlt

Gad ? Eliasaph son of Deuel

Numbers 1 verses

Numbers 1 14 Meaning

Numbers 1:14 specifies Eliasaph, the son of Deuel, as the leader chosen from the tribe of Gad to assist Moses and Aaron in the census. This verse is part of a comprehensive roster of tribal representatives selected by God for the first census of the Israelite fighting men in the wilderness of Sinai. It highlights God's meticulous organization and preparation for His people's journey and future conquest, establishing military readiness and administrative order through divinely appointed leadership.

Numbers 1 14 Context

Numbers chapter 1 inaugurates the detailed account of Israel's journey in the wilderness after receiving the Law at Sinai. The specific context for verse 14 is the census commanded by the Lord, taken on the first day of the second month in the second year after Israel's departure from Egypt. This census was not merely a head count but a military register, counting every male from twenty years old and upward "who were able to go to war" (Num 1:3). The list of tribal leaders, including Eliasaph from Gad, directly follows the divine command and precedes the results of the census for each tribe. This detailed accounting underscores the divine purpose behind every individual and group within Israel, organizing them into a unified, disciplined host for their sacred journey and mission towards the Promised Land. Historically, such censuses were vital for managing populations, taxation, and military recruitment in the ancient Near East, but in Israel's case, it was a divinely ordered act that structured God's people for their unique role.

Numbers 1 14 Word analysis

• from Gad: (מִגָּד - mi-Gād). The Hebrew preposition מִ (mi-) means "from" or "out of". גָּד (Gād) is the name of the tribe. This denotes the specific tribal origin from which Eliasaph was chosen. The tribe of Gad was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Gad, the seventh son of Jacob, born to Leah's maid Zilpah. Its name can mean "troop" or "fortune," often linked to its historical role as a strong, often warlike, frontier tribe.

• Eliasaph: (אֶלְיָסָף - ʾElyāsāp̄). A composite Hebrew name meaning "God has added," or "God has gathered/increased." The name consists of אֵל (ʾēl), a common prefix meaning "God," and יָסַף (yāsap̄), a verb meaning "to add" or "to increase." The theological nature of the name itself subtly points to God's active role in life and blessing, perhaps even signifying the growing numbers or blessings upon the tribe. Eliasaph served as a prince and leader for the tribe of Gad.

• the son of: (בֶּן־ - ben-). This common Hebrew term designates lineage and patrilineal descent. It simply identifies the immediate father, which was crucial for tribal identification and hierarchy in Israelite society.

• Deuel: (דְּעוּאֵל - Dəʿûʾēl). A Hebrew name meaning "knowledge of God" or "God has known." Composed of דָּעָה (dāʿâ), meaning "to know," and אֵל (ʾēl), meaning "God." Like Eliasaph's name, Deuel’s name carries significant theological meaning, suggesting a characteristic of wisdom, understanding of divine matters, or perhaps one who is known by God. This indicates a family line steeped in a relationship with God. The exact individual named Deuel appears only as the father of Eliasaph here and in other census records (Num 2:14; 7:42, 47; 10:20), indicating the consistency of his recorded lineage.

• "from Gad, Eliasaph": This phrase directly links the specific individual leader to his tribal affiliation, emphasizing the highly structured, tribal nature of Israelite society and God's organization within that structure.

• "Eliasaph the son of Deuel": This common Israelite patronymic ("son of" structure) highlights the importance of genealogy and lineage in establishing identity, authority, and inheritance within the tribal system. It wasn't just about an individual but also about his family's standing and history within the tribe.

Numbers 1 14 Bonus section

The consistent listing of these specific tribal leaders in subsequent passages (Num 2, 7, 10) emphasizes the permanence and recognition of their divinely appointed roles throughout significant events in the wilderness journey, not just for the initial census. Eliasaph's appearance among the dedicated princes who brought offerings for the Tabernacle's dedication in Numbers 7 further solidifies his standing and active participation in Israel's worship and national life, extending beyond purely military census duties. This reflects the multi-faceted role of tribal leadership, encompassing spiritual, civil, and military responsibilities, all under God's overarching authority.

Numbers 1 14 Commentary

Numbers 1:14, though brief, provides a vital detail within God's grand design for Israel. It showcases divine meticulousness in appointing leadership, not randomly but through specific selection, linking each designated leader to his particular tribal identity. The names Eliasaph ("God has added/increased") and Deuel ("Knowledge of God") are not mere labels but hold profound theological significance, reflecting God's involvement in human affairs and hinting at a spiritual heritage within this family line. This verse, therefore, quietly underlines the truth that leadership within God's people is both an entrusted responsibility and often originates from families known for their relationship with the divine. The very act of numbering and assigning leaders to an "army" ready for war indicates God's purposeful direction and preparation for Israel's future, ensuring order and accountability in their journey. It emphasizes that even in administrative tasks, God’s sovereign hand and guiding principles are at work.