Numbers 1 32

Numbers 1:32 kjv

Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, 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 1:32 nkjv

From the sons of Joseph, the children of Ephraim, 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 1:32 niv

From the sons of Joseph: From the descendants of Ephraim: 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 1:32 esv

Of the people of Joseph, namely, of the people of Ephraim, 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 1:32 nlt

[32-33] Ephraim son of Joseph ? 40,500

Numbers 1 verses

Numbers 1 32 Meaning

Numbers 1:32 details the specific count of fighting men, twenty years old and upward, from the tribe of Ephraim during the first census ordered by the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai. Their total enrollment was forty thousand five hundred (40,500). This figure reflects divine command, careful organization of the Israelite camp for its journey and military readiness, and the initial strength and numerical significance of Ephraim within the twelve tribes of Israel.

Numbers 1 32 Context

Numbers chapter 1 opens with God commanding Moses to take a census of the "whole Israelite community by their clans and families" (Num 1:2), specifically counting every male 20 years old or more who was "able to serve in the army of Israel" (Num 1:3). This occurred in the wilderness of Sinai, in the second month of the second year after the Exodus from Egypt. The census was not merely for demographic record-keeping but served crucial purposes: to organize the Israelite nation for their impending wilderness journey and eventual conquest of Canaan. It established military divisions, prepared for the ordered encampment around the Tabernacle, and laid the groundwork for land allocation. Numbers 1:32 specifically details the military strength of Ephraim, one of the two tribes descending from Joseph, confirming its significant size and potential as foreseen in Jacob's blessing.

Numbers 1 32 Word analysis

• From the descendants of Joseph: While Numbers 1:32 usually is translated with "Ephraimite division" or similar, the underlying concept from Numbers 1 and 2 is "Sons of Joseph." Joseph's blessing from Jacob in Genesis 48 resulted in his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, each becoming a distinct tribe, thus giving Joseph a "double portion" (a portion of land for two tribes, a right of the firstborn). This highlights divine fulfillment of ancestral promises. The term for "descendants" is b'nei (בְּנֵי), meaning "sons of." This emphasizes tribal lineage as central to identity in ancient Israel.

• of the Ephraimite division: (אֶפְרַיִם - Ephraim) – The specific tribe being counted. Ephraim was blessed by Jacob to be greater than Manasseh (Gen 48:19-20), eventually becoming the dominant tribe of the northern kingdom of Israel and often used as a metonym for the whole kingdom (e.g., in Hosea). This verse indicates their numerical strength at the outset.

• their enrollment totaled: (פְּקֻדֵיהֶם - pekudehem) – From the root paqad (פָּקַד), which carries meanings such as "to visit," "to attend to," "to appoint," "to number," "to muster," or "to inspect." Here, it signifies "those who were numbered," "those mustered," or "those enrolled." This term emphasizes the organized, official, and divinely authorized nature of the census. It's not a casual headcount but a divinely commissioned enrollment for specific purposes (warfare, encampment, spiritual order).

• forty thousand five hundred: (אַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת - arba'im elef vachamesh me'ot) – This is the precise numerical count of 40,500. This exactitude underscores the meticulous detail of God's command and the importance of each individual in the nation. It reflects a factual recording of military manpower ready for duty. The large number speaks to the incredible growth of Israel since entering Egypt and their formidable potential.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "From the descendants of Joseph, of the Ephraimite division,": This phrase emphasizes both the immediate tribal identity and the ancestral roots and blessings tied to Joseph. It connects the current numerical strength to God's past promises to the patriarchs, indicating God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant by making Abraham's descendants numerous.
  • "their enrollment totaled 40,500.": This highlights the military readiness and ordered structure of Israel. It’s a literal account, crucial for the logistics of movement and combat, underscoring God's practical preparation for His people. This large number confirms Ephraim's significant standing amongst the tribes as destined for greatness (cf. Gen 48).

Numbers 1 32 Bonus section

The census numbers in Numbers 1 are critical as a baseline for understanding the nation of Israel at Sinai. Interestingly, the tribe of Ephraim’s count decreases significantly in the second census recorded in Numbers 26, from 40,500 to 32,500, a decrease of 8,000 men. This reduction, experienced by several tribes, is a sobering reminder of the divine judgments and the hardships faced during the forty years of wilderness wandering. Furthermore, the early strength of Ephraim demonstrated in Numbers 1 provides crucial context for its later prominence as the leading tribe of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often referred to simply as "Ephraim" by prophets like Hosea and Isaiah), and its subsequent idolatry and fall, contrasting its glorious beginnings with its spiritual decline. The fact that Ephraim and Manasseh are counted as two separate tribes illustrates the "double portion" blessing of Joseph through Jacob (Gen 48:5-6), underscoring God's meticulous care in maintaining covenant promises and lineage.

Numbers 1 32 Commentary

Numbers 1:32, within the grand account of Israel's first census, underscores several vital principles. It's a testament to divine order; God is not chaotic but organizes His people meticulously for His purposes. The specific count of 40,500 able-bodied men from Ephraim is not a random detail but a reflection of the precise nature of God's plans and His faithful fulfillment of covenant promises made to the patriarchs, particularly Jacob's prophetic blessing over Ephraim. This numerical strength prepared the nation both for warfare and for a structured communal life, where each tribe had a designated place and responsibility. The census, divinely commanded, differentiates from later censuses undertaken out of human pride or disobedience. Here, it represents divine preparation and readiness, showcasing that God values order, preparedness, and the strength of His gathered people when they are aligned with His will. This census provided critical logistical data for the marching order (Num 2), encampment layout (Num 2), and distribution of land later in Canaan, all contributing to the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant.