Numbers 1:31 kjv
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
Numbers 1:31 nkjv
those who were numbered of the tribe of Zebulun were fifty-seven thousand four hundred.
Numbers 1:31 niv
The number from the tribe of Zebulun was 57,400.
Numbers 1:31 esv
those listed of the tribe of Zebulun were 57,400.
Numbers 1 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:2 | "Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel..." | Command for the national census |
| Num 1:3 | "...all who are able to go to war..." | Purpose of the census: military readiness |
| Num 1:46 | "all who were numbered were 603,550." | Total sum of the first census counts |
| Num 2:7 | "Then comes the tribe of Zebulun." | Zebulun's position in the camp formation |
| Num 26:2 | "Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel..." | Command for the second census |
| Num 26:27 | "These were the clans of the Zebulunites, as numbered: 60,500." | Zebulun's count in the second census |
| Gen 30:20 | "Leah said, 'God has endowed me with a good dowry; now my husband will honor me, because I have borne him six sons.' So she called his name Zebulun." | Origin and naming of Zebulun |
| Gen 49:13 | "Zebulun shall dwell at the seashore; he shall be a haven for ships..." | Jacob's prophecy concerning Zebulun's inheritance |
| Deut 33:18-19 | "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar, in your tents! They shall call peoples to the mountain; there they offer right sacrifices..." | Moses' blessing; focus on prosperity, sea, and worship |
| Judg 4:6 | "...Deborah sent and summoned Barak... from Kedesh-naphtali..." | Barak, a key judge and military leader from Zebulun |
| Judg 5:18 | "Zebulun is a people who jeopardized their lives to the death..." | Zebulun's bravery in Deborah's victory song |
| 1 Chr 12:33 | "Of Zebulun, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, with all instruments of war, 50,000, able to keep ranks..." | Zebulun's fighting men joining David |
| Ezek 48:26-27 | "Adjoining the territory of Naphtali... shall be Zebulun..." | Zebulun's land portion in the visionary temple |
| Exod 30:12 | "When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each one shall give a ransom for his life to the LORD when you number them..." | The census involves atonement money |
| 2 Sam 24:1-10 | "...he incited David against them to say, 'Go, number Israel and Judah.'... And David's heart struck him after he had numbered the people." | Contrast: David's sinful census without divine command |
| 1 Chr 21:1-7 | "Satan stood against Israel and incited David to number Israel." | Parallel account of David's census |
| Psa 147:4 | "He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names." | God's absolute knowledge and order in creation |
| Isa 40:26 | "He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name..." | God's detailed knowledge extends to His creation |
| Matt 10:30 | "But even the hairs of your head are all numbered." | God's meticulous care for His people |
| Luke 12:7 | "Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered..." | God's comprehensive knowledge and valuing individuals |
| John 10:27-28 | "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them... I give them eternal life..." | Jesus knows His own; divine election and security |
| Rom 8:28-30 | "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined..." | God's foreknowledge and plan for His chosen |
Numbers 1 verses
Numbers 1 31 Meaning
This verse specifies that the registered men, twenty years old and upward, from the tribe of Zebulun, who were fit for military service, numbered fifty-seven thousand four hundred. It is part of a larger census commissioned by the Lord to count the able-bodied men of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai, providing a meticulous record of the nation's military strength and administrative organization.
Numbers 1 31 Context
Numbers chapter 1 opens with a divine command to Moses and Aaron to conduct a comprehensive census of the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai. This pivotal undertaking aimed to count every male twenty years old and upward who was physically able to serve in the army. The purpose was multifaceted: to assess Israel's military strength in preparation for their journey and subsequent conquest of Canaan, to establish a precise and orderly encampment and march formation for each tribe, and to provide administrative data for future land distribution. The specific listing of each tribe's count, as seen with Zebulun in verse 31, underscores the meticulousness of God's design and administration for His people. This process formed the foundational structure for Israel's journey through the wilderness, emphasizing divine order and preparedness in every aspect of their national life.
Numbers 1 31 Word analysis
- those who were numbered (Hebrew: pekudeyhem פְּקֻדֵיהֶם): From the root paqad, meaning to visit, inspect, appoint, muster, or number. It implies not just a simple count but an act of oversight, divine command, and methodical enrollment for a specific purpose. It signifies a divine review and appointment rather than a mere human tally.
- of the tribe of Zebulun (Hebrew: le'matteh Zevŭlun לְמַטֵּה זְבֻלוּן):
- Tribe (matteh מַטֵּה): Literally meaning "staff" or "rod," this term denotes a distinct family or kinship group. Each matteh maintained a unique identity, lineage, and leadership within the larger nation of Israel, crucial for organization and inheritance.
- Zebulun (Hebrew: Zebŭlun זְבֻלוּן): One of the twelve sons of Jacob, born to Leah. His name likely relates to "dwelling" or "honor/gift," reflecting the significance of his birth (Gen 30:20). His inclusion highlights the continuity of the Israelite lineage and the divinely-established tribal structure.
- were fifty-seven thousand four hundred (Hebrew: shiv‘ah vaḥamiššiym ’elep wa’arba‘ me’oṯ שִׁבְעָה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאֹות): This exact, non-rounded numerical figure emphasizes the precision and meticulous nature of the census. It testifies to the thorough administrative record-keeping ordained by God and signifies the accuracy of the divine review of His people. Such specific numbers underscore that God is sovereign over all details, knowing each one of His people.
Words-group analysis:
- "those who were numbered of the tribe of Zebulun": This phrase precisely identifies the counted group: adult males ready for military duty within a specific lineage. The phrasing reinforces the theme of a divinely ordered society where each unit is accounted for and has a place within the whole. It signifies the Lord's detailed knowledge of the strength and composition of His covenant people, aligning them for their sacred tasks.
- "were fifty-seven thousand four hundred": The unadorned, exact number demonstrates divine administrative accuracy. This precise figure was vital for practical purposes like camp layout, march order, military conscription, and later land allocation. The exactness contrasts with potential ancient tendencies towards vague estimations, underscoring God's perfect order and comprehensive oversight of His people. It points to God's precise governance, even of population demographics.
Numbers 1 31 Bonus section
The number 57,400 for Zebulun in this first census shows a significant military potential within the tribe. Notably, in the second census documented in Numbers 26:27, Zebulun's registered men increase to 60,500. This gain of 3,100 contrasts with the overall decline in Israel's total population due to the forty years of wandering and the various judgments for disobedience, such as the rebellion at Kadesh Barnea. This demographic resilience suggests Zebulun may have been relatively steadfast or favored during the wilderness period. Additionally, Zebulun's close association with the tribe of Issachar, both geographically (Gen 49:13; Deut 33:18-19) and in their camp assignment under the standard of Judah (Num 2:7), highlights a cohesive inter-tribal relationship. The systematic enumeration of each tribe's strength was foundational for the efficient logistics of supporting a vast nomadic population in a harsh environment, showcasing God's meticulous foresight and provision for His people.
Numbers 1 31 Commentary
Numbers 1:31, though appearing as a mere statistical entry, encapsulates key themes central to the book of Numbers and the wider biblical narrative. It reflects the meticulous attention to detail commanded by God for the organization of Israel. The census was not an arbitrary count but a divinely ordained act of preparing God's people for their journey and purpose—military readiness, communal order, and the forthcoming inheritance of the Promised Land. The exact number assigned to Zebulun signifies the precision and completeness of this divine task. It underscores the truth that God knows His people individually and corporately, having a precise plan for each segment of His chosen nation. This passage illustrates divine order contrasting with chaos, meticulous care in administration, and the equipping of His people for their God-given mission.
Examples:
- Divine Detail: Just as God knew the precise number of Zebulun's fighting men, He knows every detail about us today (Matt 10:30), reminding us of His comprehensive care.
- Order for Purpose: The structured census teaches the value of order and organization, not for human efficiency alone, but as a reflection of God's character and for His Kingdom purposes.
- Preparedness: The census prepared Israel for their calling; likewise, believers are to be prepared and ready for service and to walk in God's will.