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 meticulously records the precise count of fifty-four thousand four hundred fighting men from the tribe of Issachar during the inaugural census of Israel. This divinely mandated enumeration, conducted shortly after the Exodus at Mount Sinai, was a foundational act of national organization, preparing the Israelite nation for its arduous wilderness journey, impending military campaigns, and the eventual inheritance of the Promised Land, thereby underscoring God's sovereign attention to detail, His purposeful ordering of His people, and the unique significance of each tribal unit within His chosen nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 1:29 is embedded within the opening chapter of the Book of Numbers, which systematically details a comprehensive census of the Israelite tribes. This census, explicitly commanded by God to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, meticulously enumerates all males aged twenty years and upward who were able to go to war, with the Levites being intentionally excluded for their distinct priestly service. The verses immediately preceding Numbers 1:29 provide the count for the tribe of Zebulun (Numbers 1:31), while subsequent verses detail the numbers for Asher (Numbers 1:33) and other tribes, demonstrating a highly structured, tribe-by-tribe accounting. This detailed numbering serves as a foundational act of organization and preparation, setting the stage for the subsequent arrangement of the camp around the Tabernacle (Numbers 2), the specific duties assigned to the Levites (Numbers 3-4), and the various laws and narratives governing the wilderness journey, profoundly emphasizing divine order and readiness for the challenges and responsibilities that lay ahead for the nascent nation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census documented in Numbers 1 unfolds approximately one year after Israel's miraculous [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/12-37 "Exodus 12:37 - The Israelites Depart from Egypt") and roughly a month following the erection of the Tabernacle at the base of [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - Israel Arrives at Mount Sinai"). At this pivotal juncture, Israel was transitioning from a newly liberated collection of slaves into an organized, covenantal nation. While ancient Near Eastern cultures frequently conducted censuses for purposes such as military conscription, taxation, or labor, Israel's census was uniquely tied to their identity as God's holy army, preparing them to fulfill God's promises of inheriting Canaan. The primary objective was not merely demographic, but strategic and theological: to ascertain the nation's military strength for the impending journey to the Promised Land and the necessary conquest of its inhabitants. The meticulous record-keeping underscores a divine emphasis on order, accountability, and the readiness of a people called to inherit a land and establish a unique, covenantal relationship with the Almighty.

* **Key Themes:** Numbers 1:29, as part of the broader census narrative, powerfully contributes to several key themes prevalent in the Book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost among these is **Divine Order and Sovereignty**, illustrating God's meticulous care in organizing His people for their sacred mission. The precise enumeration of each tribe, including Issachar, highlights God's purposeful design for every segment of His nation, ensuring that each unit understood its place and contribution within the larger divine plan. This census also underscores the theme of **Preparation for Holy War and Inheritance**, as the primary purpose of numbering the fighting men was to ready Israel for the conquest of Canaan, a task requiring both military strength and spiritual obedience. Furthermore, the distinct identity and enumeration of each tribe reinforce the theme of **Covenantal Identity and Accountability**, reminding Israel that their individual and collective existence was bound by their covenant with Yahweh, requiring their readiness and obedience as His chosen people, as seen in the subsequent commands for their wilderness journey ([Numbers 9:15-23](/numbers/9-15-23 "Numbers 9:15-23 - The Cloud and the Fire Guiding Israel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This verb (H6485) carries a rich semantic range, encompassing "to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc." In the context of a census, it specifically signifies a divine act of reckoning, accounting, or mustering. It implies that this numbering was not a mere human administrative initiative but a direct command and oversight from God Himself, emphasizing His purposeful attention, active involvement, and the assignment of roles in organizing His people for their divinely appointed mission.
* **Tribe (Hebrew, _maṭṭeh'_):** This noun (H4294), literally meaning "a branch (as extending)," figuratively denotes a tribal division or clan, often linked to a patriarchal lineage. In ancient Israel, the "tribe" was a fundamental unit of identity, inheritance, and military organization. The meticulous enumeration of each _maṭṭeh_ underscores the importance of communal identity within the larger nation, highlighting that each family group had a distinct place, a unique contribution, and a specific role to play within the collective body of Israel.
* **Issachar (Hebrew, _Yissâˢkâr'_):** This proper noun (H3485) refers to the ninth son of Jacob by Leah, whose name possibly means "he will bring a reward." While Numbers 1:29 primarily provides their numerical strength, 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 prowess, perhaps indicating a tribe known for wisdom, discernment, or industriousness, which would contribute uniquely to the nation's overall well-being and strategic direction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Those that were numbered of them,"**: This opening clause establishes the core action of the verse, indicating that a precise count was taken. The passive voice "were numbered" implies that this was not a self-initiated act by the people but a process carried out under a higher authority, specifically God's command to Moses, thereby emphasizing divine initiative and comprehensive oversight in the meticulous 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, distinguished, and enumerated. This underscores the distinct identity, unique contribution, and specific place of every segment within the collective nation of Israel, ensuring no group was overlooked in God's ordered plan.
* **"[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 this large number emphasizes the thoroughness of God's organizational plan, the substantial readiness of this particular tribe for its role in the wilderness journey, and its significant contribution to the overall military might and strategic preparedness of the Israelite nation as they embarked on their divinely appointed mission.

#### Literary Devices
The entire census account in Numbers 1, of which verse 29 is an integral 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 meticulous **Catalog** or **List**, 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. This literary technique serves to emphasize the divine order and thoroughness in preparing Israel for their divinely appointed mission, leaving no doubt about the exact strength and organization of the nation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 1:29, situated 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 grand plan has a specific place, a unique identity, and a vital contribution to the whole. This was not merely an administrative task but a profound 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, demonstrating His commitment to their well-being and success.

* [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, reminding 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 and purpose.

#### 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, and how are you responding?**
* **How can you apply the principle of divine order and readiness to your personal spiritual disciplines or involvement in your faith community?**

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

Answer: Numbers 1:29 is an integral 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 enumerated in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel"), was essential for several strategic and theological reasons. It was crucial for understanding the collective military strength of the nation, for organizing the Israelite camp for their journey through the wilderness, and for preparing them for the eventual conquest and inheritance 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, accounted for, and ready for its unique role in God's unfolding plan for Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 1:29 details a physical census for military readiness and national organization, it points forward to the spiritual numbering and perfect ordering 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 and the establishment of an earthly kingdom finds its profound 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 and contribution in ancient Israel, so too does every believer have a distinct gift, calling, and vital role within the Church, united under Christ's headship, as Paul beautifully illustrates in [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, universal, and perfectly ordered 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.

Cross-References

Numbers 26:25

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

Numbers 2:6

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