Numbers 2:20 kjv
And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
Numbers 2:20 nkjv
"Next to him comes the tribe of Manasseh, and the leader of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur."
Numbers 2:20 niv
The tribe of Manasseh will be next to them. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.
Numbers 2:20 esv
And next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh, the chief of the people of Manasseh being Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur,
Numbers 2:20 nlt
[20-21] Manasseh ? Gamaliel son of Pedahzur ? 32,200
Numbers 2 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:10 | "from the children of Joseph: of Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur;" | Lists Gamaliel as Manasseh's leader at census. |
| Num 2:18-19 | "On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim... beside them the tribe of Manasseh" | Establishes Manasseh's geographical position. |
| Num 2:3 | "on the east side the standard of the camp of Judah according to their armies... " | Demonstrates overall structured camp layout. |
| Num 7:54-59 | "On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, leader of the people of Manasseh, presented his offering." | Shows Gamaliel's active role in offerings. |
| Num 10:23 | "And over the division of the tribe of the people of Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur." | Confirms Gamaliel's leadership in marching order. |
| Gen 41:51 | "Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil," | Explains the meaning behind Manasseh's name. |
| Gen 48:19 | "His younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations." | Jacob's prophecy privileging Ephraim over Manasseh. |
| Deut 33:13-17 | "Of Joseph he said: ‘Blessed of the LORD be his land...'" | Blessing over Joseph's tribes, including Manasseh. |
| Josh 17:1-2 | "There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph." | Details Manasseh's unique dual land inheritance. |
| Deut 1:15 | "So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and appointed them as heads over you," | General principle of appointing wise leaders. |
| Exod 18:21 | "Moreover, you shall select from all the people able men who fear God, men of truth..." | Defines qualities for biblical leaders. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints." | Upholds divine principle of order and peace. |
| Rom 13:1 | "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God," | Principles of submitting to established authority. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry," | God grants leaders to equip His people. |
| Psa 78:70-72 | "He chose David his servant... to shepherd Jacob his people, Israel his inheritance." | God raises specific leaders for His people. |
| Josh 14:1 | "These are the inheritances that the people of Israel received in the land of Canaan..." | Foreshadows the division of land as part of God's order. |
| Num 13:11 | "Of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi." | Notes that specific task leaders (like spies) might differ from tribal 'princes'. |
| 1 Chr 27:20 | "Of Manasseh, Iddo the son of Zechariah;" | Later historical tribal leaders after settlement. |
| Psa 60:7 | "Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of my head." | Reinforces God's ownership and plan for these tribes. |
| Heb 13:17 | "Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account." | Emphasizes respect for spiritual authority. |
| Tit 1:5 | "This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you—" | Practical instruction on establishing church leadership. |
| Gal 3:28 | "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." | While specific roles exist, ultimate equality in Christ. |
Numbers 2 verses
Numbers 2 20 Meaning
Numbers 2:20 precisely outlines the divinely ordained position and leadership for the tribe of Manasseh within the Israelite encampment. It specifies that Manasseh is part of the standard of Ephraim, stationed on the west side of the Tabernacle, and identifies Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur, as its appointed leader. This verse emphasizes God's meticulous ordering and the specific roles within His gathered people, signifying organization, divine placement, and accountable leadership around the holy presence of God.
Numbers 2 20 Context
Numbers chapter 2 meticulously details the precise arrangement of the Israelite camp in the wilderness. It outlines the placement of each tribe relative to the central Tabernacle, grouped under four main standards, each positioned at one of the four cardinal directions (east, south, west, north). This divine blueprint served several purposes: maintaining order and hygiene in a massive encampment, preparing for military readiness, and symbolically emphasizing God's holy presence at the very heart of His people. The enumeration of specific leaders for each tribe (as seen in v.20 for Manasseh) highlights the structured, hierarchical, and accountable nature of this divinely appointed order. This detailed organization underscored Israel's identity as God's chosen, holy nation, distinct from the chaotic and unorganized ways of the surrounding pagan nations.
Numbers 2 20 Word analysis
- Then comes (וְהַנָּשִׂיא): Signals the next unit in the established order. This is part of the consecutive enumeration of tribes on the west side under Ephraim's standard. The structure itself conveys progression and a logical sequence within God's meticulously planned layout.
- the tribe of Manasseh (שֵׁבֶט מְנַשֶּׁה - shēvet Mənašše): Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה - Mənašše) means "making to forget" (Gen 41:51). As one of the two half-tribes descended from Joseph, its inclusion here underscores its full tribal status within the overall covenant community, despite its divided inheritance. Their identity and place are specific and established by divine decree.
- and the leader of the people of Manasseh (וְנָשִׂיא בְּנֵי מְנַשֶּׁה - v'nāsī' b'nei Mənašše): The term "leader" or "prince" (נָשִׂיא - nāśī') denotes a divinely appointed chieftain or elder. This role was not self-assumed but established by God's choice (Num 1:4-16) for administrative, ceremonial, and possibly judicial responsibilities. The "leader" served as the recognized representative and head of his specific tribal group, emphasizing ordered governance among God's people.
- shall be Gamaliel (גַּמְלִיאֵל - Gamli'el): The name Gamaliel (גַּמְלִיאֵל - Gamli'el) means "God is my recompense" or "God has dealt bountifully with me." Names in the Bible often carry significant meaning or even prophetic weight. Gamaliel’s name reinforces the belief that God is the source of all blessings and rewards, a fitting sentiment for a leader tasked with shepherding a portion of God’s people. While a notable New Testament figure bears this name (Acts 5:34), this is a distinct Old Testament individual chosen specifically for leadership during the wilderness period.
- the son of Pedahzur (בֶּן־פְּדָהְצוּר - ben-Pəḏāhṣūr): Pedahzur (פְּדָהְצוּר - Pəḏāhṣūr) means "the rock has redeemed" or "redemption of the rock." This name speaks profoundly of God's redemptive power, given that "Rock" (צוּר - Tzur) is a prominent biblical metaphor for God as a secure refuge and redeemer (Deut 32:4, Psalm 18:2). The naming of leaders by their full lineage ("son of...") establishes identity, authenticity, and highlights the multi-generational nature of God's covenant with Israel, ensuring the proper appointment based on tribal lineage and divine selection.
Numbers 2 20 Bonus section
The inclusion of Manasseh specifically as part of the "camp of Ephraim" (Num 2:18-24) underscores a deeper prophetic theme from Genesis 48, where Jacob prophetically placed Ephraim (the younger) above Manasseh (the elder) in blessing, thereby cementing Ephraim's primacy despite birthright norms. This organizational structure in Numbers mirrors that prophetic pronouncement. Furthermore, Manasseh uniquely inherited land on both sides of the Jordan River (Josh 17), distinguishing it among the tribes and highlighting its strategic importance for Israel's dominion, prefiguring the broad reach of God's blessing. The emphasis on detailed tribal names, leadership names, and the names' meanings—like Gamaliel ("God is my recompense") and Pedahzur ("the rock has redeemed")—subtly infuses theological declarations directly into the practical details of camp organization, affirming God's sovereignty and redemptive character even in the mundane.
Numbers 2 20 Commentary
Numbers 2:20 is not merely an archaic administrative detail; it is a foundational statement about God's nature and His interaction with humanity. This verse underscores divine order: God is not chaotic, but meticulously designs and establishes structure for His people. The precise placement of Manasseh, a specific tribe with a particular identity, demonstrates God's intentionality and care for each part of the whole. The appointment of a named leader, Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur, reveals the importance of divine appointment and human accountability within God's plans. This structure around the Tabernacle also signifies the centrality of God's presence and worship. Just as Israel was organized around the visible dwelling of God, so too are believers called to center their lives and communities on Christ (the greater Tabernacle). Practically, it shows the value God places on recognized leadership, proper roles, and collective unity to ensure smooth function, safety, and focused worship within a community designed for Him.