Numbers 1 26

Numbers 1:26 kjv

Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Numbers 1:26 nkjv

From the children of Judah, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers' house, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war:

Numbers 1:26 niv

From the descendants of Judah: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families.

Numbers 1:26 esv

Of the people of Judah, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers' houses, according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, every man able to go to war:

Numbers 1:26 nlt

[26-27] Judah ? 74,600

Numbers 1 verses

Numbers 1 26 Meaning

Numbers 1:26 details the census results for the tribe of Zebulun, recording all males twenty years old and upward who were physically capable of military service. This meticulous counting was a direct command from the Lord, indicating the structured organization of Israel for their wilderness journey, divine order, and preparation for future conquest.

Numbers 1 26 Context

Numbers chapter 1 describes the first general census of the Israelite male population after their exodus from Egypt and shortly after the tabernacle was set up at Mount Sinai. Conducted in the second year of their wanderings, this census was commanded directly by the Lord to Moses and Aaron. Its primary purposes were to organize the tribes for their journey through the wilderness, prepare them for military action to conquer the Promised Land, and to understand the size and structure of the fighting force, often referred to as "the hosts of the Lord." Each tribe, including Zebulun in verse 26, was meticulously counted "by their families" and "by their fathers’ houses," demonstrating the hierarchical and orderly nature God established for His people, distinguishing them as a structured nation, unlike a chaotic mob.

Numbers 1 26 Word analysis

• Of the children of Zebulun (מִבְּנֵי זְבוּלֻן - mi-b'nê Z'vulun): "Children of" emphasizes lineage and tribal identity, fundamental to Israelite society. Zebulun was one of Jacob's twelve sons, and the tribe bore his name. Jacob’s prophecy in Gen 49:13 connects Zebulun with dwelling by the sea, highlighting their distinct future and regional association. The specific naming of each tribe throughout Numbers 1 underscores the individualized attention God gives to each part of His people.
• their generations (תּוֹלְדֹתָם - toldotam): From the root "yalad" (to bear, bring forth). Refers to the descendants, lineage, or family history. This term signifies the continuity and historical record of a group, emphasizing that the census was not a one-time head count but part of an ongoing lineage and covenant heritage. It highlights the importance of historical continuity in God's plan for His people.
• by their families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם - l'mishp'chotam): "Mishpachah" refers to an extended family or clan unit, a major subdivision within a tribe. This detail emphasizes the highly structured social organization of Israel, based on kinship groups rather than solely on individual numbering. It ensured orderly assembly, encampment, and deployment.
• by their fathers’ houses (לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם - l'veyt avotam): "Beyt Avot" translates literally to "house of fathers," referring to smaller patriarchal units or sub-clans. This level of detail further underscores the meticulousness of the census and the profound significance of the patriarchal lineage system in ancient Israelite society and religious identity. Every individual was accountable within a specific, traceable familial line.
• according to the number of names (בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמוֹת - b'mispar shemot): "Mispar" means number, "shemot" means names. This phrase stresses precise enumeration by individual names. It reflects the idea that each person counted uniquely before God. This precision contrasted with less formal surveys and established an official roster.
• head by head (גֻּלְגֻּלֹתָם - gulgoletam): Literally "by their skulls." This idiom signifies a "poll" count or counting individuals. It reinforces the individual accountability and direct counting of each person, making it clear no one was overlooked or double-counted. It connects to the "atonement money" required for those numbered in Exo 30:12.
• every male (כָּל־זָכָר - kol zakar): Specifies that the census was limited to the male population. This was common for military censuses in the ancient Near East, as women and children were not combatants. This clarifies the practical purpose of the count for military readiness.
• from twenty years old and upward (מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה - mi-ben 'esrim shana va-ma'lah): "From a son of twenty years and upward." This age limit consistently defined maturity and eligibility for service, not only in the military but also for bearing responsibility in the community and even for divine judgment, as seen in the wilderness wandering punishment (Num 14:29). It signifies reaching a state of full physical and legal maturity.
• all who were able to go out to war (כָּל־יֹצֵא צָבָא - kol yotze tsava): "Yotze Tsava" literally means "all who go out (to) host/army." This is a crucial functional qualification, emphasizing military capability and readiness. It wasn't just about age but also about physical fitness and the practical ability to perform soldierly duties. This underlines the immediate and strategic purpose of the census: to form an army for God's purposes of conquest and settlement.

Words-group analysis:

• "their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses": This tripartite structure describes the social hierarchy of ancient Israel, moving from the broadest sense of lineage ("generations") to intermediate kin-groups ("families") and finally to the fundamental patriarchal unit ("fathers’ houses"). This highly detailed categorization indicates God's interest in the structured order of His people.
• "according to the number of names, head by head": These phrases collectively emphasize the precision, thoroughness, and individuality of the divine census. Every person was specifically identified and counted, not just as an anonymous part of a crowd, but as a valued individual within the structured community. This level of detail highlights the Lord's intimate knowledge and direct involvement with His people.
• "every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war": This combination establishes the criteria for enlistment into "the Lord's army." It denotes the intersection of demographic qualification (age and gender) with functional capacity (military fitness). This precise definition ensures that the census yielded a count of actual fighting men prepared for the challenges of conquest.

Numbers 1 26 Bonus section

The consistent application of "from twenty years old and upward" across all tribes in Numbers 1, and its later re-appearance in contexts of judgment (Num 14:29) and further censuses (Num 26), reinforces its significance as a definitive age of accountability and maturity in the ancient Israelite context. This census was not simply about population size but about active participation in God's redemptive historical plan – forming a disciplined, divinely appointed host to conquer the land. The individual identity, as indicated by "number of names" and "head by head," speaks to God's care for each person, yet within a collective purpose, demonstrating the tension and balance between individual and corporate responsibility in God's covenant dealings. The "hosts of the Lord" motif established in Exodus 12:41 comes to full organizational display here, signifying Israel's special status as God's army on earth.

Numbers 1 26 Commentary

Numbers 1:26, by focusing on Zebulun, is representative of the entire census, revealing God’s meticulous order and purposeful organization of Israel. The detailed accounting "by generations, families, and fathers' houses" shows God's precision and recognition of the pre-existing social fabric of the tribes, validating their unique identities within the larger nation. The specified age and capability for war underscore the immediate divine agenda: preparing Israel not merely to survive in the wilderness, but to militantly possess the land promised by God. Each male over twenty, deemed capable, was a potential "soldier of the Lord," entrusted with a role in the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. This emphasis on individual accountability within an ordered structure reflects God's character as a God of order and purpose. Spiritually, this passage encourages believers to recognize their individual place and responsibilities within the larger body of Christ, ready for spiritual service and equipped for the Lord's purposes (Eph 6:10-18; 2 Tim 2:3-4).