Numbers 1:13

KJV

Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of Asher {H836}; Pagiel {H6295} the son {H1121} of Ocran {H5918}.

Complete Jewish Bible

From Asher, Pag'i'el the son of 'Okhran;

Berean Standard Bible

from Asher, Pagiel son of Ocran;

American Standard Version

Of Asher: Pagiel the son of Ochran.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 1:13 is a concise but significant verse within the meticulously detailed account of Israel's first census, taken at Mount Sinai shortly after their exodus from Egypt. It specifically identifies Pagiel, the son of Ocran, as the divinely appointed leader or "prince" for the tribe of Asher, tasked with assisting Moses and Aaron in numbering the Israelite males eligible for military service. This brief statement underscores God's emphasis on order, structure, and specific leadership roles within His nascent nation, preparing them for their wilderness journey and eventual inheritance of the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 1:13 is an integral part of a comprehensive list found in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel"), which records the Lord's command to Moses and Aaron to conduct a census of all Israelite males aged twenty years and upward, those "able to go to war in Israel." This command, given on the first day of the second month in the second year after the Exodus, initiates a detailed organizational process. Each of the twelve tribes (excluding Levi, whose unique role is detailed later in [Numbers 1:49](/numbers/1-49 "Numbers 1:49 - The Levites Exempted from the Census")) is assigned a specific "prince" or "head of his father's house" to oversee the numbering of their respective tribal members. The verses immediately preceding and following [Numbers 1:13](/numbers/1-13 "Numbers 1:13 - Pagiel, Prince of Asher") systematically list these tribal leaders, with Pagiel of Asher fitting precisely into this divinely ordained administrative structure. This consistent pattern highlights the systematic and comprehensive nature of God's organizational plan for His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census described in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Census at Sinai") was not merely a demographic exercise but a crucial act of national organization and preparation for the challenges ahead. Having been miraculously delivered from Egyptian bondage and now encamped at the foot of Mount Sinai, Israel was transitioning from a collection of families into a structured nation under God's direct governance. This census served several vital purposes: it prepared the nation for military readiness, established a clear order for encampment and march through the wilderness (as elaborated in [Numbers 2](/numbers/2 "Numbers 2 - The Encampment and March Order")), and laid the groundwork for the future allocation of land in Canaan. The appointment of tribal princes like Pagiel was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern societies, where tribal structures were foundational. However, in Israel, these appointments were divinely sanctioned, emphasizing that all leadership and order within God's people derived directly from His authority and served His overarching redemptive purposes. The names listed, though brief, represent the foundational leadership structure of the newly formed nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pagiel (Hebrew, _Pagʻiʼel'_):** This name means "event of God" or "God meets." The significance of this name in the context of Numbers 1:13 is profound. It suggests that Pagiel's appointment as prince of Asher was not merely a human selection but a divine encounter or a divinely orchestrated event. His very name testifies to God's active involvement in the detailed organization and leadership structure of Israel, reinforcing the idea that God Himself was establishing the order for His people.
* **Ocran (Hebrew, _ʻOkran'_):** The name Ocran is less certain in its etymology but is often linked to a root meaning "to trouble" or "afflict." While the exact meaning in this context is not explicitly stated, the inclusion of the father's name was a standard practice for identification and lineage. It grounds Pagiel within his family unit and tribal history, even if the specific meaning of Ocran's name doesn't directly inform Pagiel's role or the census itself. It serves as a reminder of the genealogical meticulousness characteristic of the Pentateuch.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of Asher;":** This initial phrase immediately identifies the tribal affiliation of the individual to be named. In the context of the census list, it acts as a clear heading, specifying which segment of the Israelite population is being addressed. It emphasizes the tribal structure as the primary unit of organization for the census.
* **"Pagiel the son of Ocran.":** This clause provides the full identification of the appointed leader. "Pagiel" is the personal name of the prince, and "the son of Ocran" establishes his paternal lineage, which was crucial for confirming identity and authority within a patriarchal society. This precise naming underscores the meticulous nature of the census and the specific, divinely sanctioned appointment of each tribal head.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 1:13, and indeed throughout the entire census list in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel"), is **Conciseness** and **Formulaic Repetition**. Each tribal entry follows an identical, brief pattern: "Of [Tribe]; [Leader's Name] the son of [Father's Name]." This repetitive, almost liturgical, structure lends an air of authority and divine order to the proceedings. It emphasizes the systematic nature of God's work and the comprehensive scope of the census, ensuring that no tribe or leader is overlooked. The brevity of each entry focuses the reader's attention on the factual appointment and the divine command behind it, rather than on individual biographies. Furthermore, the use of proper names, a form of **Nominalism**, is significant; while brief, these names carry meaning (as seen with Pagiel), subtly reinforcing the divine hand in human affairs.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 1:13, though brief, is rich in theological implications. It highlights God's meticulous attention to detail and His commitment to order within His people. The divine appointment of specific leaders like Pagiel underscores the principle that all legitimate authority within God's community flows from Him. This structured organization was not for human convenience alone but was essential for Israel's identity as God's holy nation, enabling them to function as a unified people prepared for worship, warfare, and their sacred mission. It demonstrates that God cares about the practical administration and well-being of His people, providing the necessary leadership for their journey of faith.

* [Exodus 18:21](/exodus/18-21 "Exodus 18:21 - Appointment of Leaders")
* [Deuteronomy 1:13](/deuteronomy/1-13 "Deuteronomy 1:13 - Moses' Instruction for Appointing Leaders")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 1:13, seemingly a mere administrative detail, invites us to reflect on the profound truth that God is a God of order, purpose, and intentionality. Just as He meticulously organized ancient Israel for their journey and mission, so too does He desire order and clear leadership within His church today. This verse reminds us that every individual and every role, no matter how seemingly small or administrative, is vital to God's grand design. It challenges us to embrace our own God-given place within the body of Christ, submitting to divinely appointed leadership and contributing to the overall health and effectiveness of the community. We are called to be prepared, ordered, and unified, not for our own sake, but for the fulfillment of God's purposes in the world. Our lives, like the tribes of Israel, are to be ordered and aligned with His will, ready for the journey of faith and the inheritance He has prepared.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's emphasis on order and specific leadership in Numbers 1:13 speak to the importance of structure and authority within the church today?**
* **In what ways can I, as an individual believer, contribute to the "order" and "preparedness" of my local church or Christian community?**
* **Considering Pagiel's name, "event of God," how does recognizing God's hand in appointments and circumstances encourage my trust in His sovereign plan for my life and for the church?**

### FAQ
**Who was Pagiel the son of Ocran, and why is he mentioned?**

Answer: Pagiel the son of Ocran was the designated prince, or tribal leader, of the tribe of Asher. He is mentioned in [Numbers 1:13](/numbers/1-13 "Numbers 1:13 - Pagiel, Prince of Asher") as one of the twelve tribal leaders appointed by God to assist Moses and Aaron in conducting the first census of Israel. This census was a critical administrative and military undertaking, organizing the vast Israelite population for their wilderness journey and preparing them for future conquest of the Promised Land. His inclusion signifies his important role in this divinely ordered structure.

**What was the purpose of the census in Numbers Chapter 1?**

Answer: The census described in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel") served multiple crucial purposes for the nascent nation of Israel. Primarily, it was to count all Israelite males aged twenty years and upward who were "able to go to war," thereby establishing the military strength of the nation. Beyond military readiness, it also provided a clear organizational structure for the tribes, dictating their order of encampment around the Tabernacle and their marching formation (as detailed in [Numbers 2](/numbers/2 "Numbers 2 - The Encampment and March Order")). This meticulous organization underscored God's desire for order and preparation among His people as they embarked on their journey through the wilderness towards the Promised Land.

**Does the tribe of Asher have any particular significance in biblical history?**

Answer: The tribe of Asher was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Asher, Jacob's eighth son. Its name means "happy" or "blessed." In the allocation of the Promised Land, Asher received territory in the fertile northern coastal region of Canaan ([Joshua 19:24-31](/joshua/19-24 "Joshua 19:24-31 - The Inheritance of Asher")). While not as prominent in later biblical narratives as tribes like Judah or Ephraim, Asher is noted for its rich agricultural land and its strategic coastal position. The prophetess Anna, who recognized the infant Jesus, was from the tribe of Asher ([Luke 2:36](/luke/2-36 "Luke 2:36 - Anna, a Prophetess from Asher")). The tribe's inclusion in the census, with Pagiel as its leader, affirms its integral place within the twelve tribes of Israel and God's covenant people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 1:13, with its focus on divinely appointed leadership and the meticulous ordering of God's people, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and His church. Just as Pagiel was a prince appointed to organize Israel for their journey and purpose, Christ is the supreme and eternal Head of the Church, His new covenant people, leading them on their spiritual pilgrimage. The detailed census and tribal organization foreshadow the New Testament emphasis on the church as the ordered "body of Christ," where each member has a specific, Spirit-gifted role for the common good and the fulfillment of God's mission ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")). Jesus Himself is the ultimate "event of God" (echoing the meaning of Pagiel's name), the divine encounter where God perfectly meets humanity, establishing a new covenant and a new people. He is the true shepherd who gathers and leads His flock ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")), preparing them not for a physical promised land, but for an eternal inheritance in the heavenly kingdom ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - A Heavenly Homeland")). The order and leadership established in Numbers point forward to Christ's perfect governance over His church, ensuring its readiness for His return and the full realization of God's redemptive plan.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 7:72

On the eleventh day Pagiel the son of Ocran, prince of the children of Asher, [offered]:

Numbers 10:26

And over the host of the tribe of the children of Asher [was] Pagiel the son of Ocran.

Numbers 2:27

And those that encamp by him [shall be] the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher [shall be] Pagiel the son of Ocran.