Numbers 2 29

Numbers 2:29 kjv

Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.

Numbers 2:29 nkjv

"Then comes the tribe of Naphtali, and the leader of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan."

Numbers 2:29 niv

The tribe of Naphtali will be next. The leader of the people of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan.

Numbers 2:29 esv

Then the tribe of Naphtali, the chief of the people of Naphtali being Ahira the son of Enan,

Numbers 2:29 nlt

[29-30] Naphtali ? Ahira son of Enan ? 53,400

Numbers 2 verses

Numbers 2 29 Meaning

Numbers 2:29 details the specific designation within the meticulously ordered encampment and marching formation of the Israelites. It names the tribe of Asher, identifies their divinely recognized leader, Pagiel son of Ocran, and confirms the organizational unit under his command, referred to as his "division" or "army." This verse, like the others in Numbers chapter 2, underscores God's meticulous concern for order, unity, and preparedness among His people as they journeyed in His presence.

Numbers 2 29 Context

Numbers chapter 2 is foundational to understanding the physical and spiritual arrangement of Israel during their wilderness wanderings. The chapter details the divine command for the twelve tribes to encamp in an orderly fashion around the Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God, and also prescribes their marching order. This meticulous organization serves multiple purposes: maintaining holiness and purity around God's presence, preparing the nation as a disciplined host for battle and the journey, and affirming the identity and place of each tribal unit within the greater community. Verse 29 specifically describes the composition of the Northern Camp, assigning Asher, along with Dan and Naphtali, to that strategic position. This detailed blueprint highlights God's sovereignty over every aspect of His people's lives and their need to live in obedience to His divine order, differentiating them from the unorganized, often chaotic tribal arrangements of surrounding cultures.

Numbers 2 29 Word analysis

• וּמַטֵּה (u-matteh) - "and the tribe":
  • The prefix וּ (u-) means "and," indicating connection or continuation of the previous descriptions.
  • מַטֵּה (matteh) literally means "staff" or "rod," but in this context, it signifies a tribal division or lineage. It denotes a fundamental unit of identity and authority within Israel, emphasizing a shared ancestral heritage and a recognized group.
• אָשֵׁר (Asher) - "Asher":
  • One of the twelve sons of Jacob, the ancestor of the tribe.
  • His name (Gen 30:13) means "happy" or "blessed," given by Leah after being called blessed by other women.
  • Signifies the identity of the specific tribal unit.
• וּנְשִׂיאוֹ (u-nesî’o) - "and his leader":
  • The וּ (u-) connects this to the tribe.
  • נְשִׂיאוֹ (nesî’o) is from נָשִׂיא (nasi'), meaning "prince," "chief," or "leader." This term denotes a high-ranking official or chieftain, often with divinely appointed or recognized authority, signifying the designated head of the tribal division responsible for its conduct and organization.
• פַּגְעִיאֵל (Pagiel) - "Pagiel":
  • The proper name of the specific leader for the tribe of Asher at this time.
  • Its meaning is generally understood as "encounter of God" or "God has met him." This suggests a special relationship or divine appointment for this individual leader, emphasizing that leadership in Israel was under divine oversight.
• בֶּן (ben) - "son of":
  • A common Hebrew term denoting paternal lineage, establishing the father-son relationship and a continuation of the family line, which was significant for identity and authority.
• עָכְרָן (Okhran) - "Ocran":
  • The proper name of Pagiel's father. The root 'Okran' may relate to "trouble" or "disturbance," which, while not a direct comment on the father's character, contrasts with the meaning of "Asher" (happy) and "Pagiel" (God has met), showing how God chooses and uses leaders from various backgrounds.
• וּצְבָאוֹ (u-tzva'o) - "and his division":
  • The וּ (u-) connects this to the leader, indicating what he leads.
  • צְבָאוֹ (tzva'o) from צָבָא (tzava'), meaning "army," "host," or "company." In this context, it refers to the organized military unit or body of people under the command of the leader. It emphasizes the tribal division's readiness for military action and structured organization, not merely as a family unit but as an armed host of Yahweh.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then the tribe of Asher": This phrase precisely identifies the particular group being addressed in the meticulous numbering and organization. It emphasizes that every tribal unit, regardless of its size, holds an acknowledged place in God's ordered community, demonstrating divine inclusiveness and detailed planning.
• "and their leader Pagiel son of Ocran": This highlights the crucial role of appointed leadership. Not only is the collective tribe important, but so is the specific individual entrusted with its oversight. The lineage (son of Ocran) further establishes legitimacy within their cultural framework, yet Pagiel's name ("God has met") subtly reinforces a divine connection to his appointment, underscoring that all authority is derived from or recognized by God.
• "and his division": This final part specifies the collective entity that falls under the leader's authority. It denotes not just a group of people, but an organized, structured unit ("army" or "host") ready for mobilization, encampment, and participation in the nation's spiritual and military purposes. It indicates functional readiness and precise accountability under its head.

Numbers 2 29 Bonus section

• The naming of each specific leader (Pagiel in this instance) for each tribe underscores the highly personalized nature of God's interaction with Israel. It wasn't just abstract tribes; God knew and recognized the individual shepherds of each flock. This highlights His attentiveness to detail down to the person overseeing each group.
• The fact that Asher's numbers were among the smaller tribes (as seen in Num 1 and 26) yet received the same detailed recognition as larger tribes emphasizes God's impartiality and that every part of His people is equally valuable and important in His eyes, reinforcing the concept of unity in diversity, a theme echoed in the New Testament (1 Cor 12).
• The meticulous military-like organization reflects not just preparedness for earthly conflict but foreshadows the spiritual warfare God's people would continually face, a theme powerfully picked up in the New Testament's call to spiritual armament (Eph 6:10-18).

Numbers 2 29 Commentary

Numbers 2:29, though a brief enumeration, profoundly reveals God's nature and His will for His people. It signifies the divine blueprint for order and unity within the community of faith. The precise identification of each tribe, its specific leader, and the structured "division" under his authority demonstrates that God is not a God of confusion but of peace and perfect organization (1 Cor 14:33). This meticulous arrangement around the Tabernacle served multiple vital functions: it visually reinforced the centrality of God's presence, ensured purity and holiness in His immediate vicinity, and prepared Israel as a disciplined "army of the Lord" (Num 1:3) for their journey and future battles for the Promised Land. Each leader was tasked with responsibility for his unique segment of God's people, reflecting the principle of distributed, yet unified, leadership essential for the whole body's proper functioning. The spiritual application extends to the church, the New Testament people of God, emphasizing the need for godly order, identified leadership, and collective readiness for divine service, where every member has a place and purpose within Christ's body (1 Cor 12).