Numbers 2:22 kjv
Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.
Numbers 2:22 nkjv
"Then comes the tribe of Benjamin, and the leader of the children of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni."
Numbers 2:22 niv
The tribe of Benjamin will be next. The leader of the people of Benjamin is Abidan son of Gideoni.
Numbers 2:22 esv
Then the tribe of Benjamin, the chief of the people of Benjamin being Abidan the son of Gideoni,
Numbers 2:22 nlt
[22-23] Benjamin ? Abidan son of Gideoni ? 35,400
Numbers 2 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 1:34-35 | Of the children of Manasseh... their number was thirty-two thousand and two hundred. | Manasseh's specific census count. |
| Num 10:23 | And over the host of the tribe of the children of Manasseh was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. | Confirms Ahiezer's continued leadership in march. |
| Num 7:66-67 | On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Manasseh, offered: His offering... | Ahiezer's role in dedicatory offerings for the Tabernacle. |
| Num 26:29-34 | The children of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites... These are the families of Manasseh. | Later census of Manasseh by families. |
| Gen 41:50-51 | And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came: which Asenath... bare unto him. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house. | Origin of Manasseh's name and tribe. |
| Gen 48:19-20 | And his father refused... he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. | Jacob's prophetic blessing over Manasseh. |
| Num 2:17 | Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward... | Centrality of the Tabernacle in the camp's order. |
| Exod 18:25-26 | And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. | Principles of delegated leadership and order. |
| Deut 33:13-17 | And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the Lord be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew... | Moses' blessing over the tribes of Joseph (Ephraim & Manasseh). |
| Josh 17:1-6 | There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead... | Manasseh's territorial inheritance. |
| 1 Cor 14:33 | For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints. | God's character as a God of order and peace. |
| 1 Cor 12:12-27 | For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. | Each part of the spiritual body having a distinct place and function. |
| Eph 4:11-13 | And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: | Divine appointment of leaders for equipping and building. |
| Rom 12:4-5 | For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. | Diversity and unity in the spiritual body, mirroring tribal order. |
| Heb 12:14 | Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: | Peace and order are linked to holiness. |
| Deut 1:15 | So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. | Delegated leadership and organization of the people. |
| 1 Chr 12:31 | Of Manasseh, eighteen thousand, which were expressed by name, to come to make David king. | Manasseh's role in establishing leadership in later history. |
| Prov 11:14 | Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety. | Importance of leadership and guidance. |
| Heb 3:1-2 | Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him... | Christ as the faithful leader, appointed by God. |
| Isa 60:17 | I will also make thy officers peace, and thine exactors righteousness. | Future vision of divinely appointed and righteous leadership. |
| Phil 4:8-9 | Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true... if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. | Application of God's order leading to peace. |
| Rom 13:1 | Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. | Divine institution of authority and order in society. |
Numbers 2 verses
Numbers 2 22 Meaning
Numbers 2:22 delineates the precise organization of the Israelite camp in the wilderness, specifically identifying the tribe of Manasseh and naming its designated leader, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. This verse highlights God’s meticulous attention to order and structure, ensuring each tribe and its captain had a preordained place and function within the collective community and its movements. It underscores divine appointment for leadership and the established hierarchy essential for the journey.
Numbers 2 22 Context
Numbers chapter 2 meticulously outlines the precise arrangement of the Israelite tribes encamped around the Tabernacle, their positions, and their leaders, in preparation for their journey through the wilderness. This divine blueprint ensured order, cohesion, and protection of the central sanctuary—the dwelling place of God’s presence. The chapter specifies the standards for each tribal group (east, south, west, north), their assigned leaders, and their specific numerical strength from the census in Numbers chapter 1. Manasseh, alongside Ephraim and Benjamin, was positioned in the camp to the west of the Tabernacle, marching third in the line of travel after the sanctuary. This meticulous order contrasted sharply with the potentially chaotic nature of large nomadic groups, demonstrating Yahweh’s supreme authority, organization, and care for His people. This divine order also served as a profound object lesson, teaching Israel the importance of adherence to God's instructions and dependence on His wise planning for all aspects of life and worship, highlighting that true worship demands ordered devotion, not chaotic spontaneity.
Numbers 2 22 Word analysis
- Then (וְאֵת, wᵉʾēt): This conjunctive particle links the verse to the preceding enumerations, signifying a continuation of the precise organizational listing. It implies "and then," demonstrating a systematic, step-by-step process of God's command.
- the tribe (מַטֵּה, maṭṭeh): This Hebrew word refers to a rod or staff, extended metaphorically to a branch, and thus a tribal division or clan. It signifies a distinct familial unit, unified under its own leadership, representing a particular segment of the larger Israelite family, each with its unique identity and banner.
- of Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה, Menashsheh): Meaning "causing to forget," given by Joseph because God had made him forget his hardship (Gen 41:51). Manasseh was the older son of Joseph but received a lesser blessing than Ephraim from Jacob (Gen 48:19). Despite this, Manasseh became a very large and influential tribe, split between both sides of the Jordan, indicative of its strength. Its specific mention here confirms its divinely appointed place in the camp's arrangement.
- and the captain (וְנָשִׂיא, wᵉnāśîʾ): The term nāśîʾ denotes a prince, chief, or leader. These were not self-appointed individuals but were chosen by divine instruction, often through lot or known ability, indicating legitimate authority. The nāśîʾ held responsibility for the spiritual and administrative well-being of his tribe under the ultimate authority of Moses and Aaron.
- of the sons of Manasseh: Reinforces the specific lineage and corporate identity. The term "sons" (בְּנֵי, bənê) emphasizes the family-based structure of the Israelite society and the tribe as a collective offspring of a patriarch, bound by kinship.
- shall be Ahiezer (אָחִיעֶזֶר, ʾĂḥîʿezer): Meaning "My brother is help" or "brother of help." This name aptly describes a leader who is expected to provide assistance and strength to his people. Ahiezer's repeated mention in Numbers (e.g., Num 7:66, Num 10:23) affirms his established leadership role within the tribe of Manasseh for many years of the wilderness journey.
- the son of Ammishaddai (עַמִּישַׁדַּי, ʿAmmîshaḏday): Meaning "My kinsman is the Almighty" or "My people are the Almighty." This name powerfully incorporates one of God's ancient covenant names, "Shaddai," signifying God's power and might. The name connects the leader's lineage directly to God's strength and presence within the family, enhancing the legitimacy and spiritual significance of Ahiezer's position. It suggests a family rooted in divine relationship and protection.
- "the tribe of Manasseh, and the captain of the sons of Manasseh": This phrasing precisely defines the hierarchical structure within the camp. It clarifies that each tribal unit (represented by "the tribe") had a single, specific individual ("the captain") entrusted with leadership over the "sons" (or members) of that tribe. This orderly arrangement was crucial for a group as large and diverse as Israel, ensuring smooth coordination for both encampment and travel.
- "Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai": This complete patronymic identifies the leader with certainty. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a full lineage confirmed a person's identity, legitimacy, and social standing. For the Israelite tribes, this specificity ensured accountability and a clear chain of command, divinely instituted. It demonstrates God's concern for meticulous detail and precise execution of His will.
Numbers 2 22 Bonus section
The repeated enumeration of tribal leaders and their positions across Numbers 1, 2, 7, and 10 underscores God's insistence on order, stability, and preparation for His covenant people. The significance of names in the Hebrew text, such as Manasseh ("causing to forget"), Ahiezer ("my brother is help"), and Ammishaddai ("my kinsman is the Almighty"), is not coincidental. These names often reflected the character, experience, or aspirations associated with the individual or their lineage. Ahiezer's name reflects a leadership quality of assistance, while his father's name links their family, and thus his leadership, to the powerful "Shaddai" aspect of God. This divine hand in the minutiae of Israel's structure serves as a perpetual lesson on how God providentially guides and sustains His people through meticulous planning and by establishing proper spiritual and physical arrangements, preparing them for their wilderness pilgrimage and entry into their inheritance. This divine ordering, though seemingly rigid, paradoxically provided freedom, peace, and security for the millions journeying through a hostile environment.
Numbers 2 22 Commentary
Numbers 2:22 provides a seemingly straightforward detail about the encampment of the Israelite tribes, yet it embodies profound theological and practical truths. It's a snapshot of God's blueprint for order within His people. Far from being a mere logistical note, this verse emphasizes that God is a God of intricate order, not chaos (1 Cor 14:33). Every part of His covenant community has a designated place and a divinely appointed leader, as exemplified by Manasseh and Ahiezer. This structure ensured unity, accountability, and readiness for movement as they journeyed towards the Promised Land. The precision in naming both the tribe and its leader signifies God's personal involvement in governing His people, establishing a foundational principle for communal life: that proper leadership and structured order are essential for flourishing and fulfilling a divine mission. This attention to detail foreshadows the divine order seen in the New Testament church, where specific leadership roles contribute to the building up of the body of Christ (Eph 4:11-12).