Numbers 2:15 kjv
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.
Numbers 2:15 nkjv
And his army was numbered at forty-five thousand six hundred and fifty.
Numbers 2:15 niv
His division numbers 45,650.
Numbers 2:15 esv
his company as listed being 45,650.
Numbers 2 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:4 | "And with you there shall be a man from each tribe, each being the head..." | Appointment of tribal leaders for the census. |
| Num 1:15 | "of Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan." | Initial naming of Ahira as Naphtali's appointed leader. |
| Num 2:25 | "The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side... beside them the tribe of Naphtali..." | Naphtali's assigned position on the north side of the Tabernacle. |
| Num 7:78 | "On the eleventh day Ahira the son of Enan, leader of the people of Naphtali..." | Ahira's participation in offerings for the Tabernacle dedication. |
| Gen 30:8 | "Then Rachel said, 'With mighty wrestlings I have wrestled with my sister...'" | Rachel's naming of Naphtali, indicating the tribe's foundational meaning. |
| Exod 18:21 | "Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God..." | Principle of seeking out qualified and God-fearing leaders. |
| Deut 1:15 | "So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men..." | Moses establishing a similar structured leadership hierarchy. |
| Josh 19:32-39 | "...the sixth lot came out for the people of Naphtali..." | Naphtali's allotted inheritance in the Promised Land. |
| 1 Chr 27:19 | "...of Naphtali, Jeremoth the son of Azriel." | Later tribal leader mentioned, showing continuity of office. |
| Neh 11:22 | "...Uzzi the son of Bani... the supervisor of the Levites..." | Example of specific leaders appointed for oversight within Israel. |
| Zech 6:13 | "...he shall be a priest on his throne, and the counsel of peace..." | Prophecy of the Messiah as the ultimate priest-king and leader. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds..." | New Covenant appointments for order and equipping within the Church. |
| 1 Cor 12:28 | "And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets..." | Divine appointment of diverse roles for order in the New Covenant Church. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God..." | Principle that all established authority ultimately derives from God. |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession..." | God's calling of His people to be a distinct, ordered community. |
| Heb 3:1-2 | "...consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful..." | Jesus as the faithful and supreme leader over God's household. |
| Num 3:23 | "The Gershonite clans were to encamp behind the tabernacle on the west..." | Specific examples of precise positioning for various groups around the Tabernacle. |
| Exod 40:16 | "Moses did everything just as the LORD commanded him." | Emphasizes the importance of precise obedience to divine commands in setup. |
| Lev 24:8 | "Every Sabbath day Aaron shall arrange it before the LORD..." | God's detailed commands for maintaining consistent order in worship. |
| Deut 5:32-33 | "You must be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you..." | Exhortation to diligently follow God's commands for wellbeing. |
| Isa 9:1 | "But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish... land of Naphtali..." | Prophecy concerning Naphtali's land and the coming of great light. |
| Matt 4:13-16 | "And leaving Nazareth he went and lived in Capernaum by the sea, in the territory of Zebulun and Naphtali..." | Fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy as Jesus begins His ministry in Naphtali's region. |
| John 15:16 | "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you..." | Christ's active and personal appointment of His followers. |
Numbers 2 verses
Numbers 2 15 Meaning
This verse specifies the placement of the tribe of Naphtali within the precise encampment structure divinely ordained for the Israelites in the wilderness. It names Ahira, the son of Enan, as the appointed leader or "prince" of this tribe, highlighting God's meticulous ordering of His people, where every tribe and its designated head played a crucial role in the larger community and its worship.
Numbers 2 15 Context
Numbers Chapter 2 establishes the divine blueprint for the precise organization of the Israelite camp in the wilderness. Following the census in chapter 1, which counted all men aged 20 and up fit for military service, chapter 2 details the specific encampment positions of each tribe around the central Tabernacle, along with their marching order. This meticulous arrangement ensured the purity and holiness of the camp surrounding God's dwelling, facilitated orderly movement, provided for defense, and instilled a strong sense of unity and collective identity among the tribes of Israel. Naphtali, as mentioned in verse 15, belonged to the three-tribe camp of Dan, positioned on the North side, forming a crucial part of the rearguard during their journeys.
Numbers 2 15 Word analysis
and the tribe: The Hebrew "וּמַטֵּה" (u-matteh) indicates both the collective unit "tribe" and carries the symbolic weight of a "rod" or "staff," suggesting inherent authority and the supporting structure within the nation of Israel. It emphasizes that this is a distinct, recognized entity within God's ordered assembly.
of Naphtali: The Hebrew "נַפְתָּלִי" (Naphtali) means "my wrestling," as named by Rachel (Gen 30:8) reflecting her spiritual and familial struggles. The tribe's name subtly suggests that even within a context of struggle, God meticulously organizes and provides a place for each element of His people. Its territory would later be a significant region where Jesus began His ministry (Matt 4:13-16, fulfilling Isa 9:1).
and the leader: The Hebrew "וּנְשִׂיא" (u-nəsi) translates to "prince" or "chief." This position was divinely instituted, not self-appointed (Num 1:4). The "nasi" held significant administrative, judicial, and military authority over his tribe, operating under Moses and, ultimately, God's supreme authority, crucial for maintaining internal order and external defense.
of the sons of Naphtali: This phrase clarifies that Ahira's leadership pertains specifically to the descendants and lineage of Naphtali, underscoring the tribal and familial basis of Israel's divinely ordered society. His authority was over a defined family group.
shall be Ahira: The Hebrew "אַחִירַע" (Achira). The precise meaning of this personal name is debated, possibly meaning "my brother is evil/wretched" or "brother of a shepherd/companion." Regardless of etymology, the explicit naming by God highlights a personal divine appointment, demonstrating God's sovereign knowledge and selection of individuals for specific leadership roles among His people.
the son of Enan: The Hebrew "בֶּן עֵינָן" (ben Einan). "Enan" might signify "having eyes" or "spring/fountain." The practice of identifying individuals by their patronymic (father's name) was customary, grounding the individual within their family line and providing a recognized lineage, even though ultimate appointment stemmed from God.
Words-group analysis:
- "and the tribe of Naphtali, and the leader... shall be Ahira...": This phrasing structurally moves from the collective unit (the tribe) to its appointed representative, emphasizing God's detailed consideration of each group and its head. It reinforces that divine order penetrates all levels of the Israelite community, from the general tribal unit to its specific appointed overseer.
- "leader of the sons of Naphtali Ahira the son of Enan": This complete designation combines the official title ("leader"), the sphere of authority ("sons of Naphtali"), the specific person ("Ahira"), and his ancestral lineage ("son of Enan"). It solidifies Ahira's distinct, God-ordained authority and identity within the meticulously structured nation of Israel.
Numbers 2 15 Bonus section
- Polemical Significance: The hyper-specific, systematic organization detailed in Numbers 2, including the precise assignment of tribal leaders, serves as a powerful theological statement. It stands in stark contrast to the often arbitrary and chaotic practices of idol worship and the absence of clear divine revelation common among ancient Near Eastern peoples. Yahweh provides explicit instructions and structures, demonstrating His sovereign control, accessibility through established means (the Tabernacle), and deliberate care, thus asserting His unique deity over other pantheons.
- Implied Numerical Importance: While the verse itself does not list a number, its placement within Numbers chapter 2 implies the numerical strength of Naphtali's fighting men (Num 2:30 states their number was 53,400). This pervasive emphasis on precise enumeration throughout Numbers highlights God's comprehensive oversight, His ability to manage large populations, and His preparation of Israel not just as worshippers but also as a formidable and organized military force.
Numbers 2 15 Commentary
Numbers 2:15, though a brief mention of a specific individual, offers a window into the core principles governing God's relationship with His people. It reveals God's nature as one of divine order, not chaos. Every aspect of Israel's communal life, even down to the placement of a specific tribe and the naming of its leader, was ordained by His hand. This meticulous organization was paramount for maintaining the sanctity of the camp around the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's dwelling, and for ensuring the nation's spiritual purity, logistical efficiency for travel, and defensive capabilities. The appointment of leaders like Ahira highlights that God not only establishes structure but also personally raises up individuals to lead within that structure. This teaches that in the body of Christ, divine order is essential, and every member, particularly those in leadership, serves a specific, God-given function for the benefit of the whole, encouraging humble submission and unified purpose in service to God.