Numbers 1:21 kjv
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
Numbers 1:21 nkjv
those who were numbered of the tribe of Reuben were forty-six thousand five hundred.
Numbers 1:21 niv
The number from the tribe of Reuben was 46,500.
Numbers 1:21 esv
those listed of the tribe of Reuben were 46,500.
Numbers 1 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:2-3 | "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel... every male" | Command for the census |
| Num 26:22 | "These are the clans of Judah counted, seventy-six thousand five hundred." | Second census, showing Judah's continued growth |
| Exod 30:11-16 | "When you take the census... each one shall give a ransom..." | Ransom requirement for census |
| 2 Sam 24:1-10 | "Again the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he incited David..." | David's sinful census without God's command |
| 1 Chron 21:1-8 | "Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel." | Another account of David's census |
| Gen 12:2 | "I will make of you a great nation..." | Abrahamic promise of multiplication |
| Gen 13:16 | "I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth..." | Fulfillment of multitude promise |
| Gen 22:17 | "I will surely bless you and multiply your offspring..." | Reiterated promise of numerous descendants |
| Exod 1:7 | "But the people of Israel were fruitful and increased greatly..." | Growth leading to their immense numbers |
| Gen 49:8 | "Judah, your brothers shall praise you; your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies..." | Jacob's prophecy of Judah's dominance |
| Gen 49:10 | "The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler's staff from between his feet..." | Messianic promise through Judah |
| Num 2:3 | "Those to camp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah..." | Judah's leading position in encampment |
| Josh 15:1 | "The lot for the tribe of the people of Judah according to their clans went out..." | Judah's inheritance in the Promised Land |
| Judg 1:1-2 | "Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites to fight against them?" | Judah takes the lead in conquest |
| 1 Sam 16:1, 13 | "I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons." | David chosen from Judah |
| Psa 78:67-68 | "He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim... He chose the tribe of Judah..." | God's specific choice of Judah as leader |
| Isa 11:1 | "There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse..." | Prophecy of Messiah from Jesse/Judah |
| Mic 5:2 | "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah..." | Messiah's birthplace connected to Judah's land |
| Matt 2:4-6 | "They told him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet...'" | Quoting Micah, confirming Messiah from Judah |
| Rev 5:5 | "And one of the elders said to me, 'Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah...'" | Jesus identified with Judah's prophetic symbol |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace..." | Reflects God's orderly nature in the census |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | "But all things should be done decently and in order." | Principle of divine order applied |
| Neh 7:6-7 | "These are the people of the province who came up out of the captivity..." | Another example of biblical census-taking |
Numbers 1 verses
Numbers 1 21 Meaning
Numbers 1:21 specifies the exact number of men twenty years old and upward, fit for military service, from the tribe of Judah. This figure, seventy-four thousand six hundred, highlights Judah's significant numerical strength within the Israelite tribes during the first census at Sinai, underscoring its emerging leadership and pivotal role in the nation's future.
Numbers 1 21 Context
Numbers Chapter 1 opens with God commanding Moses in the wilderness of Sinai to conduct a census of all Israelite males twenty years old and above who are able to go to war. This census was not merely for statistical purposes but served to organize the twelve tribes for their journey through the wilderness and the impending conquest of Canaan. It established a divinely ordained order for encampment, marching, and military readiness. This verse, specifically detailing Judah's count, places it within this critical stage of preparation for Israel as a disciplined army under Yahweh's command, demonstrating His meticulous plan for His covenant people.
Numbers 1 21 Word analysis
those that were numbered: (Hebrew: pequdîm) Root paqad (פקד) means "to count," "to muster," "to appoint," or "to visit." Here, it signifies a precise, official count carried out under divine command. This was not a mere headcount but an act of God ordering His people for a specific purpose, implying accountability and preparation for service, especially military service.
of them: Refers to the males mentioned in Numbers 1:3 – "from twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war." This specifies the demographic eligible for the census, focusing on those fit for active duty and responsibility in the congregation.
even of the tribe of Judah: (Hebrew: mimmattēh Yəhûdâ) Matteh (מטה) means "staff," "rod," or "tribe," emphasizing a distinct family or division. Yəhûdâ (יהודה) means "praise." The tribe of Judah holds immense significance due to Jacob's blessing prophesying its future kingship and Messianic lineage (Gen 49:8-10). Their large number at this early stage foreshadows their leading role in Israel's history and their prominence in the coming monarchy.
were seventy-four thousand and six hundred: (Hebrew: arbaʿāh wəšibʿîm ʾelep wəšeš mēʾôt) This exact number underscores the meticulous nature of the census. It's a tangible manifestation of God's faithfulness in multiplying Abraham's descendants (Gen 12:2; 22:17). The substantial figure highlights Judah's preeminence as the largest tribe among the first six enumerated, setting the stage for its future leadership.
"those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah": This phrase emphasizes the selective and specific nature of the divine count. It wasn't an arbitrary general population count but a military registration, meticulously detailing the strength of each specified tribal unit ready for war and service in the wilderness.
"were seventy-four thousand and six hundred": This full numerical expression represents the fulfilled promise of a great nation. The scale of this single tribe, when combined with the total census count of over 600,000 fighting men (Num 1:46), demonstrates God's abundant blessing and power to transform a small family into a mighty multitude, organized and prepared.
Numbers 1 21 Bonus section
The large numbers recorded in Numbers 1 are often cited as a demonstration of God's miraculous multiplication of Abraham's descendants, a feat requiring divine provision in the wilderness. Furthermore, Judah's initial numerical supremacy (later affirmed in the second census, Num 26:22) reinforces its theological and historical importance beyond just its military contribution. Judah was designated to lead the march and encampment of Israel (Num 2:3), underscoring its pivotal role from the earliest stages of the Exodus generation. This census also serves as a critical administrative record, which would have been vital for organizing daily camp life, managing resources, and assigning responsibilities, highlighting God's order even in the wilderness.
Numbers 1 21 Commentary
Numbers 1:21 is a specific data point within the broader divinely mandated census, yet it carries profound implications. It establishes the robust strength of the tribe of Judah, marking it as the most numerous among the initial tribes counted. This numerical dominance immediately positions Judah as a primary and influential tribe, echoing earlier prophetic promises regarding its leadership and ultimate Messianic heritage. The precise figure reflects God's meticulous order and sovereignty in structuring His people. It signifies the fulfillment of His covenant with Abraham, where a promised vast nation begins to tangibly materialize as a formidable force ready for their God-appointed task. This careful numbering transforms a multitude into an army, revealing God's hand in preparing His people not just for survival, but for conquest and the establishment of His kingdom. The detailed counting demonstrates that God knows each individual and organizes His church for His purpose, as seen in the orderly arrangement and giftedness of believers in the New Testament (1 Cor 12:27-28).