Numbers 2 19

Numbers 2:19 kjv

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred.

Numbers 2:19 nkjv

And his army was numbered at forty thousand five hundred.

Numbers 2:19 niv

His division numbers 40,500.

Numbers 2:19 esv

his company as listed being 40,500.

Numbers 2 verses

Numbers 2 19 Meaning

Numbers 2:19 declares Eliab, son of Helon, as the appointed leader for the tribe of Zebulun, positioning them within the eastern camp of Israel. This verse is part of a meticulous divine blueprint for the Israelite encampment in the wilderness, emphasizing order, identity, and structured authority around the central Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God. It highlights God's systematic arrangement for His people, ensuring harmony and readiness for their journey and purpose.

Numbers 2 19 Context

Numbers chapter 2 meticulously details the precise arrangement of the twelve tribes of Israel around the Tabernacle, serving as God's mobile dwelling place in the wilderness. This divine blueprint organized the tribes into four camps, each consisting of three tribes, with designated standards and specific leaders. Zebulun is positioned on the east side with Judah and Issachar, signifying their identity and collective role. The purpose of this precise order was multi-faceted: it underscored the holiness of God's presence at the center, provided defensive and logistical structure for the massive population, ensured orderliness befitting a holy nation, and prepared them for the disciplined journey toward the Promised Land. This structure was a powerful visual testimony to God's omnipresence and meticulous sovereignty over His chosen people.

Numbers 2 19 Word analysis

• Then: Indicates a sequential continuation, flowing from the preceding declaration of Judah and Issachar, maintaining the ordered enumeration of the tribes within their designated camps.
• the tribe: (Hebrew: שֵׁבֶט, shevet). This term signifies a fundamental kinship and political unit within Israelite society. It denotes lineage, identity, inheritance, and a distinct community bound by common ancestry, all divinely ordained and integral to Israel's national structure.
• of Zebulun: (Hebrew: זְבֻלֻן, Zevulun). One of Jacob's sons through Leah (Gen 30:20), whose name is associated with "dwelling" or "honor." This tribal designation connects the wilderness generation back to their patriarchal roots and covenantal heritage. The tribe held specific prophecies about its future (Gen 49:13, Deut 33:18-19).
• and the prince: (Hebrew: וְנָשִׂיא, və-nā·śî’). The word nasi* refers to a leader, chieftain, or designated head of a tribal unit. These "princes" were prominent men of their clans, often wealthy and influential, appointed to administer justice, represent their tribes, and lead them. Crucially, they were not kings but held authority under the ultimate sovereignty of God, operating within a divine, not monarchical, system at this stage. Eliab's designation here is a confirmation of his prior mention in the census in Num 1:9.
• of the children of Zebulun: This phrase emphasizes the familial and communal aspect of the tribe, signifying all descendants and their collective identity under this designated leader. The prince's authority extended over everyone descended from Zebulun.
• shall be Eliab: (Hebrew: אֱלִיאָב, Eli’av). Meaning "My God is Father" or "God is my Father." The significance of such a theophoric name, indicating a personal relationship with God or a divine declaration, would have reinforced the belief that this designated leadership was blessed and ordained by the God of Israel.
• the son of Helon: (Hebrew: חֵלֹֽן, Ḥelōn). "Helon" potentially means "strong" or "rampart." Identifying Eliab by his father's name highlights the importance of patriarchal lineage in Israelite society. It established his credibility and affirmed his inherited status within the tribal structure, connecting him firmly to a recognized family unit within Zebulun.

Numbers 2 19 Bonus section

The recurring emphasis on "the children of" a particular tribe throughout Numbers underscores the covenantal relationship extending across generations. It’s not just about a temporary grouping but about the enduring identity and heritage of God's chosen lineage. This meticulous census and organization can be seen as a foreshadowing of future divine ordering, such as the New Jerusalem's structured gates, each named after one of the twelve tribes of Israel (Rev 21:12). The specific names chosen for these leaders, like Eliab ("My God is Father"), were often significant and possibly indicated the family's piety or the prevailing theological perspective, linking the very fabric of leadership to a dependency on God.

Numbers 2 19 Commentary

Numbers 2:19, in its concise statement about Eliab and the tribe of Zebulun, is a profound declaration of divine order and meticulous design for His people. It reveals that God cares for the intricate details of community life, from broad camp alignments to specific leadership appointments. The selection of a "prince" for each tribe, named and affirmed by his lineage, signifies God's recognition of distinct tribal identities within a unified nation. This divinely ordered arrangement served practical purposes of security, organization, and efficient movement, but its deepest significance lay in presenting Israel as a holy, disciplined people consecrated to Yahweh, prepared to meet Him in the Tabernacle. Every leader, every tribal position, and every number contributed to a harmonious structure designed to reflect God's own character—a God of order, peace, and purposeful intention. It reminds believers that divine leading often brings structure and discipline, creating a favorable environment for God's presence and for effective ministry.