Numbers 1 30

Numbers 1:30 kjv

Of the children of Zebulun, 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 1:30 nkjv

From the children of Zebulun, 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 1:30 niv

From the descendants of Zebulun: 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 1:30 esv

Of the people of Zebulun, 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 1:30 nlt

[30-31] Zebulun ? 57,400

Numbers 1 verses

Numbers 1 30 Meaning

Numbers 1:30 details the census count of the tribe of Zebulun. It specifies that every male twenty years old and upward, capable of serving in the military, was meticulously counted by name, according to their generations, families, and fathers' households. This verse, identical in structure to the census records for other tribes, illustrates the systematic and divinely commanded organization of the Israelite nation in the wilderness.

Numbers 1 30 Context

Numbers chapter 1 inaugurates the detailed accounting of the Israelite people, taking place in the wilderness of Sinai, during the second month of the second year after their exodus from Egypt. Following their liberation and the establishment of the covenant at Mount Sinai, the focus shifts to preparing Israel as a nation and an organized host for their journey to the Promised Land. The primary purpose of this census was to enumerate all males aged twenty years and older who were physically capable of military service ("able to go out to war"). This precise counting was essential for organizing the tribes for travel, encampment around the Tabernacle, and the military endeavors ahead, reflecting God's order and strategic preparation for His people's holy mission.

Numbers 1 30 Word Analysis

• of the children of Zebulun (מִבְּנֵי זְבֻלוּן, mi-b'nei Z'vulun):
  • Zebulun: Tenth son of Jacob, and the sixth and last son born to Leah (Gen 30:20). His name possibly means "dwelling" or "honor/gift," reflecting Leah's joy and hope that Jacob would now "dwell with" her.
  • Significance: Identifies the specific tribe being enumerated. Emphasizes the continuity of the covenant promises through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's lineage. Each tribe had its distinct identity yet formed part of the collective whole of Israel.
• their generations (תּוֹלְדֹתָם, toldotam):
  • Refers to their lineage or descendants.
  • Significance: Stresses the importance of a clear and traceable line of descent within Israelite society. This was vital for establishing tribal affiliation, land inheritance, and validating eligibility for positions, foreshadowing the meticulous genealogies leading to the Messiah.
• by their families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם, l'mishp'chotam):
  • Denotes the clans or larger family groupings within each tribe, encompassing multiple "fathers' houses."
  • Significance: Highlights the structured hierarchical organization of Israel, allowing for systematic administration, dispute resolution, and efficient census taking.
• by their fathers’ houses (לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם, l'veit avotam):
  • Refers to the household units, the most fundamental social unit beyond the nuclear family, consisting of an extended family tracing back to a common male ancestor.
  • Significance: Underscores the patrilineal nature of Israelite society and the meticulousness of the divine command to count individuals from the foundational social units upward, ensuring no one was missed or miscounted.
• according to the number of names (בְּמִסְפַּר שְׁמוֹת, b'mispar sh'mot):
  • Implies an individual, person-by-person count. "Names" refers to individual people.
  • Significance: Reinforces the precision of the census and God's particular knowledge of each individual within the congregation. It's not a general estimate but an exact roll call, emphasizing individual identity and accountability before God.
• from twenty years old and upward (מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה, mi-ben 'esrim shanah va-ma'lah):
  • Establishes the minimum age for military eligibility and full adult accountability. This age was a marker for maturity and the capacity to bear adult responsibility in various aspects of community life.
  • Significance: Represents a benchmark of physical and mental maturity necessary for arduous military service and participation in the national responsibilities of Israel.
• all who were able to go out to war (כֹּל יֹצֵא צָבָא, kol yotzei tsava):
  • Refers to all who are physically capable and fit for military duty, literally "all going out (for) military/army."
  • Significance: Specifies the active duty criterion. Beyond just age, this implied a physical robustness, mental readiness, and the discipline required for a warrior. It defined the ready combat force of Israel.

Words-group analysis:

• "their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses": This tripartite structure delineates the layers of Israelite societal organization from broadest (lineage) to narrowest (household). It signifies divine order, methodical counting, and the deeply ingrained importance of tribal and familial identity, crucial for inheritance and national structure.
• "according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war": This phrase concisely encapsulates the precise methodology and purpose of the census. It stresses individual accounting within specific demographic criteria (age and capability), indicating that the count was functional—to determine the nation's military strength and preparedness for the journey to the Promised Land.

Numbers 1 30 Bonus section

• The census of Numbers 1 provides the foundational organization for the entire camp layout and marching order detailed in Numbers 2. Zebulun's numerical strength, alongside Judah and Issachar, placed them on the east side of the Tabernacle, indicating a position of honor and strategic importance.
• The repetitive formula used for each tribe underscores the divine impartiality and the equal importance of each segment of the nation in God's eyes, despite their varying numbers.
• The absence of the tribe of Levi from this particular census (Num 1:47-54) highlights their distinct role, consecrated for the service of the Tabernacle instead of military duties, showcasing God's special calling and separate accountability for different groups within His people.
• This first census prepares a generation that will largely fall in the wilderness due to disobedience (Num 14:29). A subsequent census in Numbers 26 serves to count a new generation, indicating God's ongoing commitment to His covenant and the readiness of a fresh host for the conquest.

Numbers 1 30 Commentary

Numbers 1:30 is not merely a record of demographics but a testament to divine order and strategic preparation. God, through Moses, orchestrates a meticulous census, emphasizing that every individual within the collective body of Israel matters and has a defined role. The granular detail—counting by generations, families, and fathers' houses—underscores the importance of identity, lineage, and the established societal structure ordained by God. The specific criteria of "twenty years old and upward" and "able to go out to war" reveal a pragmatic spiritual principle: maturity and capability are requisites for divine service. As Israel prepared for physical warfare and settling the Promised Land, each capable male was accounted for to contribute to the common mission. Spiritually, this mirrors the church as the host of God's people: every believer is known by God, called for service, and expected to demonstrate spiritual maturity and readiness for "spiritual warfare" (Eph 6:10-18) in advancing His Kingdom. The Lord numbers His people, not for statistics, but for their deployment in His eternal purposes, ensuring they are ordered, equipped, and ready.