King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Zebulun, [were] fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Berean Standard Bible:
those registered to the tribe of Zebulun numbered 57,400.
American Standard Version:
those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Those that were numbered{H6485} of them, even of the tribe{H4294} of Zebulun{H2074}, were fifty{H2572} and seven{H7651} thousand{H505} and four{H702} hundred{H3967}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Numbers 26:27
- These [are] the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.
Numbers 2:8
- And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, [were] fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 1:31
1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Organization:** The verse reflects the theme of God's meticulous organization of His people, Israel, into a structured community capable of orderly worship and governance.
- **Preparation for Conquest:** The census is part of the preparation for the Israelites to conquer and inhabit the Promised Land, emphasizing readiness for the tasks ahead.
- **Tribal Identity:** It underscores the importance of tribal affiliations, as each tribe is counted separately, reinforcing the identity and heritage of the Israelites.
- **Military Strength:** The counting of able-bodied men ready for military service highlights the theme of military preparedness and strength.
2. **Historical Context:**
- **Time Period:** The book of Numbers is set in the period following the Exodus from Egypt, during the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness, approximately the 13th century BCE.
- **Wilderness of Sinai:** The census takes place in the Sinai desert, where the Israelites have been encamped after receiving the Law from God through Moses.
- **Preparation for Journey:** God commands Moses to take a census of the Israelite community as a prelude to organizing the nation for their journey to the Promised Land of Canaan.
- **Divine Instruction:** The census is not merely a human initiative but is conducted at God's behest, indicating divine interest in the details of Israel's organization and welfare.
- **Tribal Representation:** Zebulun, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, is named after one of Jacob's sons. The tribe's count reflects its contribution to the nation's total military-age male population.
- **Census Purpose:** The purpose of the census was to determine the number of men available for military service, which was essential for the forthcoming battles to claim their inheritance in Canaan.
In summary, Numbers 1:31 is a snapshot of the detailed census taken of the tribe of Zebulun, which is part of a larger accounting of the Israelite tribes. This action is both a response to divine command and a practical step in the nation's military and social organization as they prepare to transition from a nomadic life in the wilderness to a more settled existence in the land promised to their ancestors.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- 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. - 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. - Strong's Number: H2074
There are 43 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זְבוּלוּן
Transliteration: Zᵉbûwlûwn
Pronunciation: zeb-oo-loon'
Description: or זְבֻלוּן; or זְבוּלֻן; from זָבַל; habitation; Zebulon, a son of Jacob; also his territory and tribe; Zebulun. - Strong's Number: H2572
There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֲמִשִּׁים
Transliteration: chămishshîym
Pronunciation: kham-ish-sheem'
Description: multiple of חָמֵשׁ; fifty; fifty. - Strong's Number: H7651
There are 345 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שֶׁבַע
Transliteration: shebaʻ
Pronunciation: sheh'-bah
Description: or (masculine) (שִׁבְעָה); from שָׁבַע; a primitive cardinal number; seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number; ([phrase] by) seven(-fold),-s, (-teen, -teenth), -th, times). Compare שִׁבְעָנָה. - 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. - Strong's Number: H702
There are 383 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַרְבַּע
Transliteration: ʼarbaʻ
Pronunciation: ar-bah'
Description: masculine אַרְבָּעָה; from רָבַע; four; four. - 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.