Numbers 1 41

Numbers 1:41 kjv

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.

Numbers 1:41 nkjv

those who were numbered of the tribe of Asher were forty-one thousand five hundred.

Numbers 1:41 niv

The number from the tribe of Asher was 41,500.

Numbers 1:41 esv

those listed of the tribe of Asher were 41,500.

Numbers 1 verses

Numbers 1 41 Meaning

Numbers 1:41 records the specific result of the census for the tribe of Asher, indicating that exactly forty-one thousand and five hundred men, aged twenty years and upward, who were able to go to war, were counted and registered under divine command. This detail contributes to the overall meticulous enumeration of the Israelite tribes, which served to organize the nation for its journey through the wilderness and prepare for future military engagements and the structured life within the Promised Land.

Numbers 1 41 Context

Numbers chapter 1 inaugurates the book by detailing a crucial census undertaken by the Israelites in the wilderness of Sinai. This numbering, commanded directly by the LORD, took place on the first day of the second month in the second year after their departure from Egypt. The primary purpose of this census was to ascertain the number of all Israelite men aged twenty years and upward, who were fit for military service. Each tribe, with the specific exclusion of the Levites (who were set apart for sanctuary duties), was enumerated separately, reflecting both their distinct identities and their collective unity as God's covenant people. The detailed listing, tribe by tribe, provided the necessary organization for the Israelite camp and for their ordered progression through the wilderness as they journeyed towards the Promised Land. Thus, verse 41 specifically records Asher's contribution to this grand muster.

Numbers 1 41 Word Analysis

• those who were numbered: The Hebrew word here is pekudehem (פְּקֻדֵיהֶם), derived from the root paqad (פָּקַד). Paqad means not merely to count, but to inspect, muster, visit, appoint, or take an account. It implies a divine or authoritative oversight and registration for a specific purpose, in this context, for military service and communal organization. This underscores that the census was a divinely orchestrated act, not a human whim.
• of the tribe of Asher: The Hebrew matteh Asher (מַטֵּה אָשֵׁר). Matteh means staff, rod, and by extension, a branch or tribe, indicating a distinct lineage or division within the larger nation of Israel. Asher (אָשֵׁר) means "happy" or "blessed," named by Leah after the birth of her second son by Zilpah (Gen 30:13). This naming emphasizes the fulfillment of God's blessing in increasing the population of Israel and reflects the continued emphasis on genealogical lineage within the covenant people.
• were forty-one thousand and five hundred: The precise Hebrew numbers echad v'arbaim elef vachamish me'ot (אֶחָד וְאַרְבָּעִים אֶלֶף וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת) explicitly state the total. This meticulous numerical detail, applied to each tribe, demonstrates the comprehensive and exact nature of the divinely commanded census. Such specificity highlights God's thoroughness in ordering His people and provides tangible evidence of the fulfillment of His promises to multiply Abraham's descendants. Compared to other tribes in this first census, Asher was of a moderate size, not among the largest like Judah or Dan, nor the smallest like Manasseh.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "those who were numbered of the tribe of Asher": This phrase precisely defines the group under consideration: adult males from a particular ancestral lineage. It highlights God's organized approach, dealing with His people not as an amorphous mass, but as distinct, accountable units contributing to the national whole, each with its identity and place within the divine plan.
• "were forty-one thousand and five hundred": This exact numerical sum is not arbitrary. It quantifies Asher's contribution to Israel's military readiness and capacity for migration and conquest. It underscores the precision inherent in God's divine administration and the detailed knowledge He possesses of His people. The census, marked by such specific figures for each tribe, was a divine blueprint for the nation's organization, movements, and eventual settlement in Canaan.

Numbers 1 41 Bonus section

• The numbering of the tribes underscored God's faithfulness in bringing Israel out of Egypt as a multitude, fulfilling the promises made to the patriarchs (Gen 15:5; 46:3).
• The detailed census not only provided military statistics but also facilitated the allocation of responsibilities and burdens, particularly in the upkeep of the Tabernacle and its movement through the wilderness. Each tribe had its place and duty.
• Although Asher received a fruitful portion of the Promised Land (Judg 1:31), they did not fully dispossess the inhabitants as commanded, a recurrent challenge for several tribes that highlights the need for continued obedience despite initial strengths. This underscores that divine numbers and potential must be met with human faithfulness.
• The numerical figures in Numbers chapters 1 and 26 show that the tribe of Asher significantly increased by the time of the second census, from 41,500 to 53,400 (Num 26:47), a considerable growth, suggesting God's continued blessing and fertility within the tribe during the wilderness journey.

Numbers 1 41 Commentary

Numbers 1:41 precisely delineates the military strength of the tribe of Asher, identifying 41,500 men fit for war. This census, divinely ordered and meticulously executed, was far more than a mere population count; it was foundational for organizing the newly freed Israelites into an ordered nation. This number for Asher, alongside those for other tribes, prepared Israel for their journey to the Promised Land, establishing camp formations, assigning marching orders, and gauging military capacity for anticipated conflicts. The exact figure testifies to God's attention to detail and His sovereign hand in ordering His people, affirming the value and distinctiveness of each tribe within the greater covenant community. The census thus served as a tangible expression of God's faithfulness to His promise to multiply Abraham's descendants, now manifested as a divinely structured and formidable multitude ready to embark on His purposes.