Numbers 1:29

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Those that were numbered {H6485} of them, even of the tribe {H4294} of Issachar {H3485}, were fifty {H2572} and four {H702} thousand {H505} and four {H702} hundred {H3967}.

Berean Standard Bible

those registered to the tribe of Issachar numbered 54,400.

American Standard Version

those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 1:29 precisely records the count of fifty-four thousand four hundred fighting men from the tribe of Issachar during the first census of Israel. This meticulous enumeration, conducted shortly after the Exodus at Mount Sinai, was a divinely commanded act of organization, preparing the Israelite nation for its wilderness journey, military endeavors, and the eventual inheritance of the Promised Land, highlighting God's sovereign attention to detail and purpose for each tribal unit within His chosen people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 1:29 is situated within the opening chapter of the Book of Numbers, which details a comprehensive census of the Israelite tribes. This census, commanded by God to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, meticulously lists the fighting men (aged twenty years and upward) from each tribe, excluding the Levites. The verses immediately preceding and following Numbers 1:29 provide the counts for the tribes of Zebulun (Numbers 1:31) and Asher (Numbers 1:33), respectively, demonstrating a systematic, tribe-by-tribe accounting. This detailed numbering serves as a foundational act of organization, setting the stage for the subsequent arrangement of the camp (Numbers 2), the duties of the Levites (Numbers 3-4), and the laws governing the wilderness journey, emphasizing divine order and preparation for the challenges and responsibilities ahead.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census of Numbers 1 takes place approximately one year after the [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/12-37 "Exodus 12:37 - The Israelites Depart from Egypt") and roughly a month after the tabernacle's erection at the base of [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - Israel Arrives at Mount Sinai"). At this pivotal moment, Israel transitioned from a newly liberated group of slaves into an organized nation with a divine covenant. The primary purpose of this census was not merely demographic but strategic: to ascertain the military strength of the nation for the impending journey to Canaan and the necessary conquest of the land. Ancient Near Eastern cultures often conducted censuses for military conscription, taxation, or labor, but Israel's census was uniquely tied to their identity as God's holy army, preparing them to fulfill God's promises. The meticulous record-keeping reflects a divine emphasis on order, accountability, and the readiness of a people called to inherit a land and establish a unique relationship with the Almighty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pāqad'_):** This verb carries a rich semantic range, including "to visit," "to muster," "to appoint," "to oversee," or "to attend to." In the context of a census, it signifies a divine act of reckoning or accounting, implying that this numbering was not a mere human initiative but a direct command and oversight from God Himself. It suggests purposeful attention and the assignment of roles, emphasizing God's active involvement in organizing His people for their mission.
* **Tribe (Hebrew, _maṭṭeh'_):** Literally meaning "rod" or "staff," this term came to denote a tribal division or clan, often linked to a patriarchal lineage. In Israel, the "tribe" was a fundamental unit of identity, inheritance, and military organization. The enumeration of each _maṭṭeh_ underscores the importance of communal identity within the larger nation, highlighting that each family group had a distinct place and contribution to the whole.
* **Issachar (Hebrew, _Yissakar'_):** The ninth son of Jacob by Leah, whose name possibly means "there is recompense" or "he is hired." While Numbers 1:29 only provides their number, the tribe of Issachar was later noted for its "men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do" ([1 Chronicles 12:32](/1_chronicles/12-32 "1 Chronicles 12:32 - Men of Issachar with Understanding")). This suggests a character beyond mere military strength, perhaps indicating a tribe known for wisdom, discernment, or industriousness, which would contribute uniquely to the nation's overall well-being.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Those that were numbered of them,"**: This opening clause establishes the action of the census, indicating that a count was taken. The passive voice "were numbered" implies that this was not a self-initiated act but a process carried out under authority, specifically God's command to Moses, emphasizing divine initiative and oversight in the organization of Israel.
* **"[even] of the tribe of Issachar,"**: This phrase precisely identifies the specific tribal unit being accounted for. It highlights the meticulous, systematic nature of the census, where each of the twelve tribes was individually recognized and enumerated, underscoring the distinct identity and contribution of every segment within the collective nation of Israel.
* **"[were] fifty and four thousand and four hundred."**: This provides the exact numerical strength of the fighting men from the tribe of Issachar. The precision of the number emphasizes the thoroughness of God's organizational plan, the readiness of this particular tribe for its role in the wilderness journey, and its contribution to the overall military might of the Israelite nation.

#### Literary Devices
The entire census account in Numbers 1, of which verse 29 is a part, prominently features **Repetition** and **Catalog/List**. The recurring phrase "those that were numbered of them" followed by the tribe's name and its specific count creates a rhythmic and emphatic pattern throughout the chapter, reinforcing the comprehensive and systematic nature of the divine command. This consistent enumeration functions as a **Catalog** or **List**, meticulously detailing each tribal unit's contribution to the national strength. The precise numerical figures for each tribe also highlight **Precision** and **Detail**, underscoring God's meticulousness and His sovereign attention to every component of His people, leaving no doubt about the exact strength and organization of Israel as they prepared for their divinely appointed mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 1:29, within the broader context of the Israelite census, powerfully illustrates God's nature as a God of order, purpose, and meticulous care for His people. The detailed enumeration of each tribe's fighting men underscores the divine principle that every individual and every group within God's plan has a specific place, a unique identity, and a vital contribution to the whole. This was not merely an administrative task but a theological declaration of God's sovereignty over His nation, preparing them for their covenantal responsibilities and the challenges of establishing His kingdom on earth. It reveals that God is intimately involved in the practical details of His people's lives, organizing them for both their protection and their mission.

* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order")
* [Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God's Care for Individuals")
* [Ephesians 2:10](/ephesians/2-10 "Ephesians 2:10 - Created for Good Works")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The precise counting of Issachar's men in Numbers 1:29, alongside the entire census, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of intentionality and order, who knows each of His children intimately and has a specific purpose for their lives. Just as every tribe was essential to ancient Israel's collective strength and mission, so too is every individual believer vital to the body of Christ today. We are not random or overlooked; rather, we are "numbered" and uniquely gifted for God's kingdom work. This passage calls us to embrace our individual identity and contribution within the larger community of faith, recognizing that our readiness, discipline, and willingness to be organized for God's purposes are crucial. It encourages us to live with intentionality, understanding that God equips us for specific callings, whether in spiritual warfare, service, or simply living out our faith with integrity.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of God's census in Numbers 1 challenge or affirm your understanding of God's attention to detail in your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be calling you to be "numbered" or prepared for a specific purpose in His kingdom today?**
* **How can you apply the principle of divine order and readiness to your personal spiritual disciplines or community involvement?**

### FAQ
**Why was the tribe of Issachar specifically mentioned with its number?**

Answer: Numbers 1:29 is part of a comprehensive census commanded by God to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai. Every tribe's fighting-age men (those twenty years and older) were meticulously counted and recorded. Issachar's inclusion, like all other tribes, was essential for understanding the collective military strength of the nation, organizing the Israelite camp for their journey, and preparing them for the eventual conquest of the Promised Land. This precise accounting underscored God's divine order and His purposeful preparation of His people for their specific mission, ensuring that every part of the nation was recognized and ready for its role.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 1:29 details a physical census for military readiness, it points forward to the spiritual numbering and organization of God's people under the ultimate Commander, Jesus Christ. The meticulous counting of Israel's tribes foreshadows Christ's intimate knowledge of His flock; He declares, "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me" ([John 10:14](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). The preparation of Israel for earthly battles finds its spiritual fulfillment in the Church, the body of Christ, which is equipped and organized not for physical warfare but for spiritual combat against "the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")). Just as each tribe had a unique place in Israel, so too does every believer have a distinct gift and calling within the Church, united under Christ's headship ([1 Corinthians 12:27](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - You Are the Body of Christ")). The ultimate purpose of Israel's numbering was to establish God's kingdom on earth, a kingdom that finds its eternal and universal reality in the reign of Christ, who gathers a countless multitude from "every nation, tribe, people and language" ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Multitude from Every Nation")) into His glorious, perfectly ordered, and spiritually numbered assembly.

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.