Numbers 2:14 kjv
Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
Numbers 2:14 nkjv
"Then comes the tribe of Gad, and the leader of the children of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel."
Numbers 2:14 niv
The tribe of Gad will be next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel.
Numbers 2:14 esv
Then the tribe of Gad, the chief of the people of Gad being Eliasaph the son of Reuel,
Numbers 2:14 nlt
[14-15] Gad ? Eliasaph son of Deuel ? 45,650
Numbers 2 14 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:32-33 | From the children of Gad, their generations, by their clans... sixty-four thousand six hundred. | Gad's census numbers. |
| Num 2:10 | "On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their companies..." | Location of Gad with Reuben. |
| Num 2:13 | And the host of his tribe was forty-six thousand five hundred. | Simeon's specific tribe leader and count. |
| Num 2:16 | All who were recorded of the camp of Reuben were 151,450. | Total count for the southern standard. |
| Num 10:18-20 | The standard of the camp of Reuben set out... Gad's host under Eliasaph. | Gad's marching order with its leader. |
| Num 1:14 | For Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel. (Note: Deuel vs. Reuel) | Confirmation of Gad's prince, though some variations in name spellings for grandfather/father can occur across translations/MSS. The specific person is Eliasaph. |
| Gen 49:19 | "Gad, a troop shall tramp upon him, but he shall tramp upon their heel." | Jacob's prophetic blessing for Gad. |
| Deut 3:16-17 | And to the Reubenites and the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead. | Gad's promised land inheritance. |
| Josh 1:12-18 | To the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given. | Tribes settled east of Jordan, promise kept. |
| Exod 18:21 | You shall select out of all the people able men, God-fearing... leaders. | Principle of appointing qualified leaders. |
| Num 1:4-16 | Moses and Aaron took these men... heads of their fathers' houses. | Appointment of tribal leaders (nasi'). |
| Deut 1:13 | Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men... | Call for discerned leadership. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God... | Authority comes from God. |
| Tit 3:1 | Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities... | Obedience to civil authority. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not a God of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. | Divine order and structure. |
| Gen 1:1-2 | In the beginning, God created... The earth was without form and void... | God as the bringer of order out of chaos. |
| Exod 25:9 | Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle... so you shall make it. | God's meticulous instructions for His dwelling. |
| Heb 8:5 | They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. | Tabernacle reflects heavenly realities. |
| Exod 40:34-38 | Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. | God's presence at the camp's center. |
| Num 9:15-23 | On the day that the tabernacle was set up, the cloud covered the tabernacle... | Guidance and movement by divine cloud. |
| Ps 133:1 | Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! | Emphasis on tribal and national unity. |
| Eph 4:1-3 | eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. | Maintaining spiritual unity in community. |
| Col 3:14 | And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. | Love as the ultimate unifying bond. |
| Rev 21:3 | "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man." | God's desire to dwell among His people. |
Numbers 2 verses
Numbers 2 14 Meaning
Numbers 2:14 states the specific tribal assignment within the wilderness encampment. It identifies the tribe of Gad and designates Eliasaph, the son of Reuel, as its chieftain or leader. This verse is part of God's precise instruction for the orderly arrangement of the Israelite camp around the Tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of divinely ordained structure, leadership, and tribal identity in the life of God's people. It positions Gad as part of the three-tribe standard of Reuben, located on the south side of the Tabernacle.
Numbers 2 14 Context
Numbers chapter 2 meticulously outlines the divine plan for the encampment and marching order of the Israelite tribes in the wilderness. Following the census in chapter 1, this chapter provides the specific details for each tribe's banner, position, and the leader appointed over their "host" or registered men. The entire arrangement places the Tabernacle and the Levites at the absolute center, with the twelve tribes positioned in four groups of three around it, facing east, south, west, and north. This structure ensured reverence for God's holiness, facilitated communal order for over two million people, and organized them for their wilderness journey and eventual entry into the Promised Land. Verse 14 specifically addresses the tribe of Gad, situating it within the southern standard under Reuben, emphasizing the precision and divine authority behind every detail of Israel's communal life.
Numbers 2 14 Word analysis
- Then (וּמַטֵּה, ū-maṭṭeh): The initial conjunction "וּ" (u, "and/then") connects this verse seamlessly to the previous verses, indicating a continuation of the tribal assignments. "Maṭṭeh" literally means "staff" or "rod," metaphorically signifying a tribe or clan that holds together, under a standard or symbol. This word highlights the tribal unit as a cohesive, organized entity.
- the tribe of Gad (גָד, Gāḏ): "Gad" refers to one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Genesis 30:11) and the tribe descended from him. As with other tribes, Gad had a distinct identity and place within the Israelite commonwealth. Its inclusion here underlines that no tribe was overlooked in God's ordered plan.
- and the captain (wə-nāśîʾ): "Wə" (and) links the tribe to its leader. "Nāśîʾ" is a significant title, meaning "prince," "chief," or "leader." This title, frequently used in the Pentateuch, denotes a tribal head or dignitary who possessed authority and responsibility over their people. These nasi'im were critical for maintaining order, managing tribal affairs, and representing their tribe before God and Moses. The term suggests an existing framework of tribal governance that God honored and incorporated into His broader national structure.
- of the children of Gad (בְּנֵי גָד, bənê Gāḏ): "Bənê" (sons of/children of) denotes descent, belonging, and the collective body of the tribe. It signifies the demographic unit over whom the captain had authority, composed of descendants of Gad.
- shall be Eliasaph (אֶלְיָסָף, ʾElyāsāp̄): "Eliasaph" means "God has added" or "God has gathered." The name itself is a statement of divine action and providence. His selection as "nāśîʾ" reinforces that leadership among Israel was under divine appointment or affirmation.
- the son of Reuel (בֶּן־רְעוּאֵל, ben-Rəʿûʾēl): "Ben" means "son of," indicating lineage. "Reuel" means "Friend of God" or "Shepherd of God." This patronymic identifies Eliasaph's heritage, important in a society where tribal identity and family lineage were foundational for status and responsibility. While this Reuel is distinct from Moses' father-in-law (Jethro was also called Reuel), the name signifies a heritage tied to devotion to God.
Numbers 2 14 Bonus section
The tribal encampment was not merely an exercise in neatness; it carried profound theological implications. The concentric circles, with the holy Tabernacle at the center, illustrate God's immanence (He dwells among them) and His transcendence (His holiness demands distance and order). The standard of Reuben, under which Gad was arrayed, along with Simeon, marked the southern side. While no explicit symbol is given in Scripture for Reuben's banner, tradition often links it to a "man," possibly signifying Reuben's primacy as the firstborn or simply humanity. The fact that Numbers chapter 2 meticulously lists all tribal leaders in sequential order emphasizes divine authorship and purpose, ensuring that all leaders and tribes knew their place and responsibility, contributing to a unified Israel. The consistency in mentioning Eliasaph's patronymic highlights the patriarchal structure and the significance of lineage and family identity in ancient Israel. While modern organizational charts might seem mundane, this divine blueprint for the Israelite camp was a testament to God's careful love for His people, preparing them both militarily and spiritually for the challenges ahead.
Numbers 2 14 Commentary
Numbers 2:14, though seemingly a mere genealogical and organizational detail, profound ly reveals God's character and His approach to His people. It demonstrates His absolute commitment to order, precision, and delegated leadership. God, in His meticulous wisdom, leaves nothing to chance regarding His covenant community. The very structure of the camp, with the Tabernacle at its heart and each tribe, including Gad, in its designated place under its appointed nasi', visually represented the core truths of Israel's existence: a divinely chosen people, living by divine standards, guided by divine presence. Eliasaph, son of Reuel, embodies the principle that human leaders are vital for executing God's purposes on earth, overseeing their flock with accountability. This systematic organization ensured holiness, facilitated the massive communal life in the wilderness, and provided military readiness, all under God's watchful eye. It is a powerful example for the church today: that God is a God of order, valuing clear leadership and defined roles for the smooth functioning of His people and the fulfillment of His mission.