Numbers 1:40

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Of the children of Asher, 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 Asher 41,500

Berean Standard Bible:

From the sons of Asher, 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 Asher, 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;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Of the children{H1121} of Asher{H836}, by their generations{H8435}, after their families{H4940}, by the house{H1004} of their fathers{H1}, according to the number{H4557} of the names{H8034}, from twenty{H6242} years{H8141} old{H1121} and upward{H4605}, all that were able to go forth{H3318} to war{H6635};

Cross-References (KJV):

Numbers 26:44

  • [Of] the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.

Numbers 26:47

  • These [are] the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; [who were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

Genesis 46:27

  • And the sons of Joseph, which were born him in Egypt, [were] two souls: all the souls of the house of Jacob, which came into Egypt, [were] threescore and ten.

Genesis 49:20

  • Out of Asher his bread [shall be] fat, and he shall yield royal dainties.

Genesis 30:12

  • And Zilpah Leah's maid bare Jacob a second son.

Genesis 30:13

  • And Leah said, Happy am I, for the daughters will call me blessed: and she called his name Asher.

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Commentary for Numbers 1:40

1. **Themes:**
- **Census and Organization:** Numbers 1:40 is part of a larger passage detailing the census of the Israelite tribes as commanded by God to Moses and Aaron. This census was meant to organize the tribes and count all men eligible for military service, emphasizing the importance of order and preparation within the community.
- **Divine Purpose:** The census reflects God's intention to establish and maintain a structured society as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land. It underscores the theme of God's involvement in the details of the community's organization.
- **Military Readiness:** The focus on those "able to go forth to war" highlights the theme of military preparedness and the expectation that every able-bodied man would contribute to the defense and well-being of the nation.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **Wilderness Period:** The book of Numbers describes events that occurred during the Israelites' 40-year wandering in the wilderness, after their exodus from Egypt and before their entrance into Canaan.
- **Preparation for Conquest:** The census took place at Mount Sinai, after the giving of the Law, as the Israelites were preparing to move towards and eventually conquer the Promised Land.
- **Tribal Structure:** The detailed accounting of each tribe, including Asher, reflects the tribal structure of Israelite society. Each tribe was responsible for providing a certain number of fighting men.
- **Asher's Blessing:** Asher was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) and the ancestor of the tribe bearing his name. Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49:20 suggests that Asher's tribe would be prosperous and provide royal delicacies, indicating a tribe known for its fertile lands and abundance.

In summary, Numbers 1:40 is part of a divinely mandated census that organized the Israelite tribes for military service as they prepared to enter the Promised Land, reflecting themes of divine order, societal structure, and military preparedness during a pivotal time in Israel's history.

*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: 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.
  2. Strong's Number: H836
    There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָשֵׁר
    Transliteration: ʼÂshêr
    Pronunciation: aw-share'
    Description: from אָשַׁר,; happy; Asher, a son of Jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also a place in Palestine; Asher
  3. 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.
  4. 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).
  5. 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).
  6. 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-'.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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).
  10. 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).
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. 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).