Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Complete Jewish Bible:
Descendants of Binyamin 35,400
Berean Standard Bible:
From the sons of Benjamin, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,
American Standard Version:
Of the children of Benjamin, their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
And we said unto my lord, We have a father, an old man, and a child of his old age, a little one; and his brother is dead, and he alone is left of his mother, and his father loveth him.
Of the tribe of Zabulon [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph [were] sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin [were] sealed twelve thousand.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Numbers 1:36
Numbers 1:36 is a verse from the first book of the Bible, which is known in Jewish tradition as Bamidbar (In the Wilderness) and in Christian tradition as Numbers. This book is primarily concerned with the census of the Israelite population and the preparations for the conquest of Canaan, which God had promised to the descendants of Abraham.
The verse specifically deals with the counting of the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. It indicates that the count was meticulous, taking into account each family and clan, tracing back to their ancestors. The census was to include every male who was at least twenty years old and fit for military service. This age requirement suggests that the focus was on those who were physically capable of participating in the upcoming military campaigns.
The historical context of this verse is the period after the Exodus from Egypt and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. The Israelites were organized into a military camp, preparing to enter and possess the land of Canaan. The detailed census was essential for military planning, allocation of tribal territories, and the division of labor for the Tabernacle service. It also served to reaffirm each tribe's identity and role within the larger community of Israel.
In summary, Numbers 1:36 reflects the strategic organization of the Israelite nation as they transitioned from a group of former slaves into a nation ready to enter the Promised Land. The verse underscores the importance of military preparedness, tribal structure, and the role of each individual in the collective destiny of the people of Israel. It is a snapshot of a pivotal moment in the history of the Israelites, as they moved towards becoming a settled nation in their own land.
*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: H1121 There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בֵּן Transliteration: bên Pronunciation: bane Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.
Strong's Number: H1144 There are 156 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בִּנְיָמִין Transliteration: Binyâmîyn Pronunciation: bin-yaw-mene' Description: from בֵּן and יָמִין; son of (the) right hand; Binjamin, youngest son of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; Benjamin.
Strong's Number: H8435 There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: תּוֹלְדָה Transliteration: tôwlᵉdâh Pronunciation: to-led-aw' Description: or תֹּלְדָה; from יָלַד; (plural only) descent, i.e. family; (figuratively) history; birth, generations.
Strong's Number: H4940 There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מִשְׁפָּחָה Transliteration: mishpâchâh Pronunciation: mish-paw-khaw' Description: from שָׁפָה (compare שִׁפְחָה); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red).
Strong's Number: H1004 There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: בַּיִת Transliteration: bayith Pronunciation: bah'-yith Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).
Strong's Number: H1 There are 15773 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: אָב Transliteration: ʼâb Pronunciation: awb Description: a primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application; chief, (fore-) father(-less), [idiom] patrimony, principal. Compare names in 'Abi-'.
Strong's Number: H4557 There are 129 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מִסְפָּר Transliteration: miçpâr Pronunciation: mis-pawr' Description: from סָפַר; a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration; [phrase] abundance, account, [idiom] all, [idiom] few, (in-) finite, (certain) number(-ed), tale, telling, [phrase] time.
Strong's Number: H8034 There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שֵׁם Transliteration: shêm Pronunciation: shame Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
Strong's Number: H6242 There are 281 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: עֶשְׂרִים Transliteration: ʻesrîym Pronunciation: es-reem' Description: from עֶשֶׂר; twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth; (six-) score, twenty(-ieth).
Strong's Number: H8141 There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: שָׁנֶה Transliteration: shâneh Pronunciation: shaw-neh' Description: (in plural or (feminine) שָׁנָה; from שָׁנָה; a year (as a revolution of time); [phrase] whole age, [idiom] long, [phrase] old, year([idiom] -ly).
Strong's Number: H4605 There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: מַעַל Transliteration: maʻal Pronunciation: mah'al Description: from עָלָה; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.; above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very.
Strong's Number: H3318 There are 992 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: יָצָא Transliteration: yâtsâʼ Pronunciation: yaw-tsaw' Description: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.; [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter.
Strong's Number: H6635 There are 463 instances of this translation in the Bible Lemma: צָבָא Transliteration: tsâbâʼ Pronunciation: tsaw-baw' Description: or (feminine) צְבָאָה; from צָבָא; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship); appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).