Numbers 1 36

Numbers 1:36 kjv

Of the children of Benjamin, 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 1:36 nkjv

From the children of Benjamin, 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 1:36 niv

From the descendants of Benjamin: 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 1:36 esv

Of the people of Benjamin, 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 1:36 nlt

[36-37] Benjamin ? 35,400

Numbers 1 verses

Numbers 1 36 Meaning

This verse details the specific count of fighting men from the tribe of Benjamin during the first census conducted at Mount Sinai. It precisely records 35,400 males, aged twenty years and older, who were capable of going to war. This census was ordained by God to organize the Israelites for military campaigns and their wilderness journey, reflecting divine order and readiness for their covenantal responsibilities.

Numbers 1 36 Context

Numbers 1:36 is part of the extensive military census of the twelve tribes of Israel conducted at the start of their wilderness journey, specifically following the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. This census was commanded by God to prepare Israel for the conquest of Canaan and to organize their march and encampment. Each tribe's male population aged twenty years and older, capable of military service, was meticulously counted. The surrounding verses in Numbers 1 provide the individual counts for all other tribes, collectively establishing the total fighting force and the highly structured nature of Israel's tribal organization under God's divine command, essential for their identity as His holy nation and army.

Numbers 1 36 Word analysis

• From the sons of Benjamin (מִבְּנֵי בִנְיָמִן - mibb'nei binyamin): "Sons of" emphasizes patrilineal descent, crucial for tribal identity and inheritance in ancient Israel. Benjamin was Jacob's youngest son, revered. This designation precisely identifies the specific group being counted, highlighting the importance of tribal affiliation and distinctness within the larger Israelite nation.
• their generations (תּוֹלְדֹתָם - toldotam): This term signifies lineage or genealogical records, pointing to the meticulously traced family lines within the tribe. It stresses that the census was not a mere count of individuals, but a recognition of each person's place within the divinely ordered tribal structure, reinforcing identity and continuity.
• by their families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם - l'mishp'chotam): Refers to clans or broader family units. This indicates a further sub-division from the general tribal unit, demonstrating the granular detail of the census. It shows God's organized approach to His people, grouping them not just as a mass but by their social and familial structures.
• by their fathers' houses (לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם - l'beit avotam): This phrase points to the most fundamental unit of Israelite society – the extended family led by a patriarch. The inclusion of this detail emphasizes the thoroughness and exactitude of the census, reaching down to every individual unit, highlighting God's meticulous care and the ordered nature of His chosen people.
• according to the number of names (בְּמִסְפַּר שֵׁמוֹת - b'mispar shemot): Lit. "by the number of names." This phrase underscores that the census was of distinct individuals, each with a unique name and therefore unique identity before God. It highlights divine attentiveness, not just to collective strength but to individual recognition within the community of faith. Each person counted for God's purposes.
• from twenty years old and upward (מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה - miben 'esrim shanah wa-ma'lah): This specified age marked the point of accountability and readiness for military service and community responsibility in ancient Israel. It sets a clear boundary for inclusion in the fighting force, excluding those too young or those (like the Levites) dedicated to sacred service, showing a practical, military focus.
• all who were able to go out to war (כָּל יֹצֵא צָבָא - kol yotze tzava'): This criterion explicitly states the purpose of the census: to determine military strength. "Go out to war" signifies readiness for combat, demonstrating the Israelites' posture as God's army for the coming conquest. It means healthy, physically capable men, fit for the rigors of campaign.
• 35,400 (חֲמִשָּׁה וּשְׁלֹשִׁים אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת - chamishah ushloshim elef ve'arba' me'ot): The exact number provided reflects the precision and truthfulness of the divine record. It is a tangible count that gives reality to the military organization of Israel. While Benjamin was not the largest tribe numerically, this count shows their considerable contribution to the overall army.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:
• "From the sons of Benjamin... by their fathers' houses": This detailed hierarchical progression from tribe to family to father's house (clan/patriarchal household) demonstrates the profound organization of ancient Israelite society and the comprehensive nature of the divinely mandated census. It reflects an order that reaches from the collective to the intimate, acknowledging each person's place within God's people.
• "according to the number of names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war": This combination of phrases provides the criteria for inclusion in the fighting force. It signifies individual accountability, mature age, and physical capability for active service. This was not a passive enumeration but a military roster, equipping Israel for its role as God's instrument in the conquest of the Promised Land.

Numbers 1 36 Bonus section

The tribal count for Benjamin in Numbers 1:36 (35,400) provides a snapshot of its strength at the outset of the wilderness wanderings. It's noteworthy that in the second census, taken roughly 38 years later (Numbers 26:41), Benjamin's count rises significantly to 45,600. This increase, even after years of wilderness journeying and judgments, suggests divine blessing on the tribe or resilience, especially when compared to other tribes whose numbers decreased. Benjamin, though initially appearing smaller than some tribes, consistently plays a pivotal, albeit sometimes turbulent, role in Israel's history, exemplified by its unique character (Judges 20) and producing figures like the first King Saul and the Apostle Paul. The precision of this census under divine instruction also contrasts sharply with the unauthorized and ill-fated census undertaken by King David later (2 Samuel 24; 1 Chronicles 21), highlighting that the purpose and source of the counting are paramount in God's eyes.

Numbers 1 36 Commentary

Numbers 1:36 provides the specific male count for the tribe of Benjamin within Israel's first census. This verse is not merely a statistical record but a demonstration of God's meticulous order and readiness for action. The careful enumeration by generations, families, and fathers' houses, right down to each named individual, underscores divine attention to detail and the organized nature of God's covenant people. The criteria for inclusion—males twenty years and older who were "able to go out to war"—explicitly defines the census's military purpose, establishing Israel as a divinely sanctioned army poised for the conquest of Canaan. Benjamin's specific count, though accurate, places them among the mid-sized tribes at this juncture. This census was a foundational act, establishing a disciplined nation prepared to fulfill God's redemptive plan through obedience and coordinated effort. It serves as an enduring reminder of God's comprehensive oversight and the call to preparedness for spiritual service.