Numbers 10:24 kjv
And over the host of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Numbers 10:24 nkjv
And over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Numbers 10:24 niv
and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin.
Numbers 10:24 esv
And over the company of the tribe of the people of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Numbers 10:24 nlt
and the troops of the tribe of Benjamin, led by Abidan son of Gideoni.
Numbers 10 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 3:25-26 | And the charge of the sons of Gershon... the hangings of the court... | Details Gershonite duties. |
| Num 4:24-28 | This is the service of the families of the Gershonites... | Reconfirms Gershonite Tabernacle tasks. |
| Num 10:17 | ...and the Tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari set forward, bearing the Tabernacle. | Position of Gershonites in march sequence. |
| Num 10:21 | And the Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary... | Contrast with Kohathites' holy charge. |
| Num 1:49-50 | Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi... | Levites distinct for sacred service. |
| Num 3:23-24 | The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the Tabernacle westward... The chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael. | Confirms Eliasaph as chief. |
| Exo 25:8 | And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. | Purpose of Tabernacle and its maintenance. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. | God's nature is order and peace. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | For as we have many members in one body... | Illustrates diverse roles in a body. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets... for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry... | Equipping leaders for service. |
| 1 Pet 4:10-11 | As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another... | Ministering varied gifts. |
| Exod 18:21 | Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men... to be rulers... | Principle of delegated leadership. |
| Tit 1:5 | For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city... | Appointing leaders in God's structure. |
| Psa 68:19 | Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. | God's daily care even for burdens. |
| Isa 52:11 | Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence... be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the Lord. | Importance of those handling sacred things. |
| Heb 9:1-10 | Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service, and a worldly sanctuary. | Tabernacle as earthly sanctuary. |
| Col 3:23-24 | And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. | Serving God in every task. |
| Psa 119:105 | Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. | Guidance for the wilderness journey. |
| Num 9:15-23 | On the day that the Tabernacle was reared up the cloud covered the Tabernacle... | Divine leading for movement. |
| Deut 32:10 | He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about... | God's leading through wilderness. |
| Num 2:32 | These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel... all that went out to the host. | Organized nature of the entire camp. |
| 1 Chr 23:6 | And David divided them into courses among the sons of Levi, namely, Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. | Continuing organization of Levites. |
| John 14:2-3 | In my Father's house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you. | God preparing dwelling place. |
| Rev 21:3 | And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men... | God's ultimate dwelling with humanity. |
Numbers 10 verses
Numbers 10 24 Meaning
Numbers 10:24 identifies Eliasaph, son of Lael, as the appointed leader of the host (or division) of the children of Gershon during Israel's meticulously ordered wilderness march. This verse details the divine orchestration of leadership within the Israelite encampment, particularly for the specific, supporting role of the Gershonite Levites who were responsible for transporting the curtains, coverings, and external components of the Tabernacle. It highlights God's comprehensive design for the movement and maintenance of His holy dwelling among His people.
Numbers 10 24 Context
Numbers chapter 10 marks a significant transition: the Israelites' departure from Mount Sinai after approximately a year of receiving the Law and establishing the Tabernacle worship. This chapter details the command to set out, the preparation, and the intricate, divinely ordained marching order for the immense Israelite camp. Following the blowing of the silver trumpets (Num 10:1-10) to signal departure, verses 11-28 meticulously describe the sequence in which each tribal division and Levitical family was to move. The first three tribes (Judah, Issachar, Zebulun from the east) would lead. Crucially, the Gershonites and Merarites, bearing the disassembled Tabernacle structure (Num 10:17), would then follow. The Kohathites, carrying the holiest furnishings, would follow these, ensuring the Tabernacle's elements were secured and protected during transit. Numbers 10:24 specifically highlights Eliasaph's leadership within this grand, organized exodus, emphasizing that even the less "holy" components of the Tabernacle required dedicated oversight for proper transport.
Numbers 10 24 Word analysis
- And over: (Hebrew: v'al - וְעַל) - The conjunction "and" links this leader's mention to the continuous description of the marching order. "Over" (עַל - 'al) indicates superintendence, authority, or being in charge of, clearly designating Eliasaph's position of leadership.
- the host: (Hebrew: tsava' - צָבָא) - While often meaning "army" or "military force" in biblical contexts, here it refers to an organized company, division, or detachment of people designated for a particular purpose. For the Levites, tsava' also frequently denotes "service" or "sacred duty" (e.g., Num 4:23). Thus, "host" implies a structured body dedicated to a sacred service, distinguishing them from Israel's fighting forces yet emphasizing their ordered roles.
- of the children of Gershon: (Hebrew: b'ney Gershon - בְּנֵי גֵרְשׁוֹן) - Refers to the descendants of Gershon, the firstborn son of Levi. This clan of Levites had specific responsibilities concerning the Tabernacle. As detailed in Num 3:25-26 and Num 4:24-28, their duty involved transporting the less sacred, external parts of the Tabernacle: its curtains, coverings, screens, hangings of the court, and all associated cords. Their service was essential for setting up and taking down the sanctuary, even though they did not handle the holy furnishings directly.
- was Eliasaph: (Hebrew: 'Elyasaph - אֶלְיָסָף) - The name means "My God has added" or "God has gathered/increased." This name can subtly convey divine favor or purpose in his role. He is explicitly identified as the chief of the Gershonites in Num 3:24, indicating a prominent, divinely recognized position within the Levite order. His inclusion here reaffirms the specific and individual accountability within the organized movement.
- the son of Lael: (Hebrew: La'el - לָאֵל) - Meaning "To God" or "Belonging to God." This patronymic name reinforces the idea that Eliasaph's lineage was associated with dedication and service to God, reflecting the sacred nature of their inherited tribal role within the Levitical priesthood.
Numbers 10 24 Bonus section
The precise ordering of the Levitical families in the march, as seen here with the Gershonites and Merarites moving first with the Tabernacle's outer structures before the Kohathites with the holy furnishings, demonstrates remarkable logistical planning. This strategic arrangement ensured that the less sacred parts of the Tabernacle would be readily available at the new encampment site to quickly provide protection and enclosure for the sacred holy items once they arrived, allowing for a more efficient and protected re-establishment of the divine dwelling place. This level of detail highlights God's comprehensive oversight not just of spiritual principles but also practical, organizational aspects essential for maintaining His presence among His chosen people.
Numbers 10 24 Commentary
Numbers 10:24 is a succinct yet profound statement within the grand narrative of Israel's journey from Sinai. It underscores several critical themes: the meticulous order divinely established for God's people, the specialized nature of service in God's Tabernacle, and the importance of appointed leadership for every task. The Gershonites, under Eliasaph's command, were not the ones carrying the holy ark or altar, yet their role in transporting the Tabernacle's coverings and hangings was indispensable for the functionality and protection of God's dwelling place in transit. This verse reminds us that in God's kingdom, every task, no matter how seemingly mundane, when done in accordance with His will and under His appointed structure, is vital and honored. It models humility in service, emphasizing contribution to the whole divine purpose over personal prestige. This systematic approach ensures harmony, efficiency, and reverence for God's presence, echoing God's character as a God of order and purpose in all things, both large and small.