Numbers 2:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben [were] an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Berean Standard Bible:

The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Reuben is 151,450; they shall set out second.

American Standard Version:

All that were numbered of the camp of Reuben were a hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, according to their hosts. And they shall set forth second.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

All that were numbered^{H6485} in the camp^{H4264} of Reuben^{H7205} were an hundred^{H3967} thousand^{H505} and fifty^{H2572} and one^{H259} thousand^{H505} and four^{H702} hundred^{H3967} and fifty^{H2572}, throughout their armies^{H6635}. And they shall set forth^{H5265} in the second rank^{H8145}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for Numbers 2:16

1. **Themes:**
- **Divine Order and Organization:** The verse reflects the meticulous census and organizational structure established by God for the Israelite camp, emphasizing order and military precision as they prepared to journey and battle in the Promised Land.
- **Preparation for the Promised Land:** The detailed mustering of the tribes and their armies underscores the theme of preparation for the conquest and settlement of Canaan.
- **God's Providence in Numbers:** The exact count of the tribes, including Reuben, indicates God's concern for every individual and the importance of each person's role in His plan.

2. **Historical Context:**
- **The Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings:** Numbers 2:16 is set during the time of the Exodus, after the Israelites had left Egypt and before they entered the Promised Land. They were encamped in the wilderness of Sinai, where they received the Law and organized themselves according to God's instructions.
- **The Census and Tribal Encampment:** God commanded Moses to take a census of all men able to go to war, which was part of preparing the nation for the journey ahead. The census results determined the arrangement of the tribes around the Tabernacle, with Reuben's camp situated on the south side, as outlined in Numbers 2.
- **Reuben's Position:** Reuben, being the firstborn of Jacob, initially had a position of honor, but earlier sins had resulted in a loss of preeminence. However, the tribe still held a significant place in the camp's formation, setting forth in the second rank among the tribes.
- **Military Readiness:** The verse emphasizes the military readiness of the tribes, with Reuben's forces totaling 151,450 men, indicating a large and formidable fighting force.

In summary, Numbers 2:16 highlights the theme of divine organization within the historical context of the Israelites' preparation to enter and conquer the Promised Land, with the tribe of Reuben playing a significant role in the nation's military structure.

*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: H4264
   There are 190 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מַחֲנֶה
   Transliteration: machăneh
   Pronunciation: makh-an-eh'
   Description: from חָנָה; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or even the sacred courts); army, band, battle, camp, company, drove, host, tents.
   
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: 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.
   
5. 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.
   
6. 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.
   
7. Strong's Number: H259
   There are 801 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶחָד
   Transliteration: ʼechâd
   Pronunciation: ekh-awd'
   Description: a numeral from אָחַד; properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first; a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together,
   
8. 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.
   
9. 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).
   
10. Strong's Number: H5265
    There are 140 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: נָסַע
    Transliteration: nâçaʻ
    Pronunciation: naw-sah'
    Description: a primitive root; properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney; cause to blow, bring, get, (make to) go (away, forth, forward, onward, out), (take) journey, march, remove, set aside (forward), [idiom] still, be on his (go their) way.
    
11. Strong's Number: H8145
    There are 151 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שֵׁנִי
    Transliteration: shênîy
    Pronunciation: shay-nee'
    Description: from שָׁנָה; properly, double, i.e. second; also adverbially, again; again, either (of them), (an-) other, second (time).