Numbers 1:43 kjv
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
Numbers 1:43 nkjv
those who were numbered of the tribe of Naphtali were fifty-three thousand four hundred.
Numbers 1:43 niv
The number from the tribe of Naphtali was 53,400.
Numbers 1:43 esv
those listed of the tribe of Naphtali were 53,400.
Numbers 1 43 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:3 | "Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families...all that are able to go forth to war in Israel." | Census purpose for war and administration. |
| Num 1:45-46 | "So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers...six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty." | The total count of the first census. |
| Num 2:29 | "Then the tribe of Naphtali...and the prince of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira..." | Naphtali's position in encampment and leader. |
| Num 26:48-50 | "Of the children of Naphtali, after their families...these are the families of Naphtali, according to their families: and those that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred." | Second census, showing Naphtali's decrease. |
| Gen 30:8 | "And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali." | Origin of Naphtali's name and tribe. |
| Gen 49:21 | "Naphtali is a hind let loose: he giveth goodly words." | Jacob's prophetic blessing for Naphtali. |
| Deut 33:23 | "And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south." | Moses' blessing for Naphtali. |
| Josh 19:32-39 | "The seventh lot came out for the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families...This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Naphtali according to their families..." | Naphtali's land inheritance in Canaan. |
| Judg 4:6 | "And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali..." | Naphtali's involvement in Deborah's victory. |
| Judg 5:18 | "Zebulun and Naphtali were a people that jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field." | Naphtali's courage in battle. |
| 1 Chron 12:34 | "Of Naphtali a thousand captains, and with them with shield and spear thirty and seven thousand." | Naphtali's military strength in David's time. |
| Matt 4:13-16 | "And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum...in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet..." | Jesus' ministry in Naphtali's region, fulfilling prophecy. |
| Isa 9:1-2 | "Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali...the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light..." | Old Testament prophecy concerning Naphtali, fulfilled by Jesus. |
| Psa 147:4 | "He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names." | God's meticulous knowledge and numbering. |
| Matt 10:30 | "But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." | God's personal, detailed care for individuals. |
| 1 Cor 12:20 | "But now are they many members, yet but one body." | Diverse members forming a unified body. |
| Rev 7:6 | "Of the tribe of Naphtali were sealed twelve thousand." | Naphtali listed among the sealed tribes in Revelation. |
| Exod 30:11-16 | "When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number...then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them..." | Census connected with atonement money. |
| Deut 20:1 | "When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee..." | God prepares His people for battle. |
| Num 31:4-5 | "Of every tribe a thousand, throughout all the tribes of Israel, shall ye send to the war...And there were delivered out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand of every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war." | Example of numbers for specific military actions. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." | Principle of divine order and authority. |
Numbers 1 verses
Numbers 1 43 Meaning
Numbers chapter 1, verse 43 states the precise count of men aged twenty years and older from the tribe of Naphtali, who were registered as part of the initial census conducted by Moses and Aaron in the Sinai wilderness. This census, commanded by the Lord, identified all able-bodied men fit for military service. The verse records the specific number for Naphtali as fifty-three thousand and four hundred.
Numbers 1 43 Context
Numbers 1:43 is part of the extensive census record in Numbers chapter 1, which outlines the meticulous organization of the Israelite camp in the wilderness of Sinai. This census was conducted on the first day of the second month of the second year after Israel's exodus from Egypt. The primary purpose was to register all Israelite men aged twenty years and older who were able to serve in the army, preparing them for the conquest of Canaan. It also established a clear structure for their journey, encampment, and assignments. Each tribe's fighting force was systematically enumerated, emphasizing divine order and preparedness for their divinely ordained mission. Historically, this highlights God's strategic planning and the people's collective identity and responsibility under His covenant.
Numbers 1 43 Word analysis
- Those that were numbered (פָּקַד -
paqad): This Hebrew root means to "count," "muster," "inspect," or "visit." In this context, it specifically refers to an official enrollment or enumeration, particularly for military and administrative purposes. It signifies a careful and authorized reckoning, reflecting God's precise and orderly administration of His people, not a casual counting. - of the tribe (מַטֶּה -
mattehor שֵׁבֶט -shevet): Both terms refer to a tribal division.Matteh(rod, staff, tribe) is used frequently in Numbers, emphasizing the distinct governmental or authoritative branch of the larger nation. Each "matteh" represented a recognized social and military unit, reflecting the lineage and identity derived from one of Jacob's sons. - Naphtali (נַפְתָּלִי -
Naphtali): Meaning "my wrestling" or "my strife." This name traces back to Gen 30:8, where Rachel named him, reflecting her spiritual struggle with her sister Leah. The tribe of Naphtali, despite this origin, was often noted for its agility and spirit in battle, and later for being the region where Jesus' early ministry extensively took place. - were fifty and three thousand and four hundred (חֲמִשִּׁים וּשְׁלֹשָׁה אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת): This is the precise numerical count for the men aged twenty and up from Naphtali. "Elef" (אֶלֶף) generally means "thousand," and in the context of these specific censuses in Numbers, it is typically understood as literal thousands of individuals. The specific and detailed enumeration highlights the thoroughness of the divinely commanded census and God's sovereign knowledge of each person within the nation.
- "Those that were numbered of the tribe of Naphtali": This phrase precisely defines the demographic being counted – male Israelites, twenty years and older, of military age, belonging specifically to the clan/lineage of Naphtali. It demonstrates the meticulous detail and systematic nature of the census commanded by God. The focus is on each individual's inclusion within a defined collective identity.
- "were fifty and three thousand and four hundred": This exact figure (53,400) provides the concrete data for Naphtali's strength at this point in Israel's history. When compared with other tribal numbers in Numbers 1 and with the second census in Numbers 26 (45,400 for Naphtali), it allows for observations about population shifts and God's providence (or judgment) during the wilderness wanderings. The numbers underscore the sheer size of the Israelite camp and the administrative challenge it presented, which God, through Moses, meticulously organized.
Numbers 1 43 Bonus section
The emphasis on numbering and ordering in Numbers 1, including verse 43, is understood as part of a larger theme of divine census and selection. This divine census sets apart Israel as God's special possession, His "am segullah," chosen for a distinct purpose. Unlike other ancient Near Eastern societies where kings might conduct censuses for taxation or impressment, this was uniquely initiated by Yahweh Himself, demonstrating His intimate relationship with His covenant people. The detailed list of individual tribes reinforces the concept of unity in diversity; though each tribe maintained its identity, they functioned as one unified military and religious entity under God's command. Furthermore, the number itself, 53,400, placed Naphtali among the smaller tribes in the first census, and this decrease to 45,400 in Numbers 26:50 shows its continued decline relative to other tribes, reflecting the consequences of the wilderness journey on each lineage. The military focus underscores that Israel's journey was not passive; it required active participation and preparation for God's purposes.
Numbers 1 43 Commentary
Numbers 1:43 provides a specific datum within a comprehensive divine mandate: the numbering of Israel for its covenant purposes. This verse, detailing Naphtali's fighting strength, exemplifies God's methodical preparation of His people. It reveals not only the sheer scale of the Israelite multitude but also the divine meticulousness applied to their organization for holy war and the forthcoming distribution of the Promised Land. This meticulous counting signifies God's complete knowledge and sovereign care for each tribal unit, forming a unified nation under His leadership. The census established a foundational order essential for their journey, encampment, and military operations. It was a tangible expression of God bringing order to a nomadic people, setting the stage for their fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant. Understanding this structured approach helps us appreciate the order found throughout scripture, from the detailed instructions for the tabernacle to the ordered body of Christ in the New Testament. It reminds believers that God is a God of order, purpose, and detailed knowledge concerning His people.