Numbers 1:21

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Reuben, [were] forty and six thousand and five hundred.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Descendants of Re'uven 46,500

Berean Standard Bible:

those registered to the tribe of Reuben numbered 46,500.

American Standard Version:

those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Those that were numbered^{H6485} of them, even of the tribe^{H4294} of Reuben^{H7205}, were forty^{H705} and six^{H8337} thousand^{H505} and five^{H2568} hundred^{H3967}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 1:21

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Organization:** The verse reflects the theme of God's meticulous organization of His people, Israel, into a structured community capable of maintaining order and prepared for the conquest of Canaan.
- **Identity and Lineage:** It emphasizes the importance of tribal identity and lineage, as each tribe is accounted for separately, with Reuben being the first tribe numbered.
- **God's Promise and People:** The counting of the tribes demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to make Abraham's descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Census:** Numbers 1 records the first census taken by Moses at God's command, which occurred in the Sinai desert during the second year after the Israelites' exodus from Egypt.
- **Purpose of the Census:** The census was conducted to determine the number of men eligible for military service, as the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land.
- **Tribe of Reuben:** Reuben was the firstborn of Jacob and Leah, and his tribe was one of the ten lost tribes of Israel after the Assyrian exile. The numbering of Reuben's tribe at 46,500 indicates its significant contribution to the Israelite fighting force.
- **Preparation for Conquest:** This counting was part of the preparations for the conquest of Canaan, as knowing the size of each tribe would be crucial for military organization and the division of the land.

In summary, Numbers 1:21 is part of a larger narrative that showcases God's guidance in organizing the Israelites for their journey ahead, with a focus on the tribe of Reuben, whose substantial population is recorded as they stand on the brink of entering the Promised Land.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6485
   There are 270 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּקַד
   Transliteration: pâqad
   Pronunciation: paw-kad'
   Description: a primitive root; to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc.; appoint, [idiom] at all, avenge, bestow, (appoint to have the, give a) charge, commit, count, deliver to keep, be empty, enjoin, go see, hurt, do judgment, lack, lay up, look, make, [idiom] by any means, miss, number, officer, (make) overseer, have (the) oversight, punish, reckon, (call to) remember(-brance), set (over), sum, [idiom] surely, visit, want.
   
2. Strong's Number: H4294
   There are 204 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַטֶּה
   Transliteration: maṭṭeh
   Pronunciation: mat-teh'
   Description: or (feminine) מַטָּה; from נָטָה; a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance), or walking (a staff; figuratively, a support of life, e.g. bread); rod, staff, tribe.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7205
   There are 68 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רְאוּבֵן
   Transliteration: Rᵉʼûwbên
   Pronunciation: reh-oo-bane'
   Description: from the imperative of רָאָה and בֵּן; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob; Reuben.
   
4. Strong's Number: H705
   There are 178 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אַרְבָּעִים
   Transliteration: ʼarbâʻîym
   Pronunciation: ar-baw-eem'
   Description: multiple of אַרְבַּע; forty; -forty.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8337
   There are 203 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁשׁ
   Transliteration: shêsh
   Pronunciation: shaysh
   Description: masculine שִׁשָּׁה; a primitive number; compare שׂוּשׂ; six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth; six(-teen, -teenth), sixth.
   
6. Strong's Number: H505
   There are 496 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶלֶף
   Transliteration: ʼeleph
   Pronunciation: eh'-lef
   Description: prop, the same as אֶלֶף; hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand; thousand.
   
7. Strong's Number: H2568
   There are 273 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָמֵשׁ
   Transliteration: châmêsh
   Pronunciation: khaw-maysh'
   Description: masculine חֲמִשָּׁה; a primitive numeral; five; fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece).
   
8. Strong's Number: H3967
   There are 512 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֵאָה
   Transliteration: mêʼâh
   Pronunciation: may-aw'
   Description: or מֵאיָה; properly, a primitive numeral; a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction; hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore.