Numbers 2:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, [were] fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Berean Standard Bible:

and his division numbers 54,400.

American Standard Version:

And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And his host{H6635}, and those that were numbered{H6485} thereof, were fifty{H2572} and four{H702} thousand{H505} and four{H702} hundred{H3967}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Numbers 1:29

  • Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Issachar, [were] fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

Numbers 26:25

  • These [are] the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.

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Commentary for Numbers 2:6

Numbers 2:6 is a verse from the second book of the Bible, which details the organization of the Israelite camp as they prepared to journey towards the Promised Land after their exodus from Egypt. The book of Numbers gets its name from the two censuses taken of the Israelite population, one at the beginning and one at the end of the narrative, which is why the verse references those who were numbered.

**Themes:**
1. **Order and Organization:** The verse reflects the meticulous arrangement of the Israelite camp, with each tribe assigned a specific place and role, emphasizing the importance of order in the community.
2. **Military Preparedness:** The counting and structuring of the tribes into a military formation suggest readiness for potential threats as they journey through the wilderness.
3. **Divine Guidance:** The detailed instructions for camp arrangements underscore the theme of God's direct involvement in the affairs of Israel, guiding them in every aspect of their communal life.
4. **Preparation for the Promised Land:** The census and organization of the tribes were part of the preparation for entering and possessing the land God had promised to the Israelites.

**Historical Context:**
The events described in Numbers occur during the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites, approximately 1446 BCE, after their escape from slavery in Egypt and before their entry into Canaan. The book is traditionally attributed to Moses, who is the central figure in the events described. The Israelites are on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, and are preparing to transition from a nomadic existence to a more settled life in the land of Canaan.

In Numbers 2:6, the specific tribe being referenced is the tribe of Judah, which was to camp on the east side toward the sunrise, according to Numbers 2:3. Judah's position was at the head of the camp, signifying its leadership role among the tribes. The number mentioned, fifty-four thousand and four hundred, represents the able-bodied men of the tribe who were fit for military service, indicating the tribe's significant contribution to the Israelite forces. This organization was not only for encampment but also for the order of march when the Israelites would move from one place to another.

*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: 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).
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  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: 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.