Numbers 1:35

KJV

Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Manasseh, [were] thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

Those that were numbered {H6485} of them, even of the tribe {H4294} of Manasseh {H4519}, were thirty {H7970} and two {H8147} thousand {H505} and two hundred {H3967}.

Berean Standard Bible

those registered to the tribe of Manasseh numbered 32,200.

American Standard Version

those that were numbered of them, of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 1:35 records the specific count of fighting men from the tribe of Manasseh, totaling thirty-two thousand two hundred, as part of the comprehensive census commanded by God at Mount Sinai. This verse is a precise detail within a larger divine initiative to organize and prepare the Israelite nation for its wilderness journey and the impending conquest of the Promised Land, underscoring God's meticulous order and purposeful design for His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 1:35 is situated within the opening chapter of the Book of Numbers, which immediately follows the detailed legal and cultic instructions given in Leviticus. Numbers 1 initiates a new phase in Israel's journey, transitioning from their encampment at Mount Sinai, where they received the Law, to their preparation for movement and conquest. The entire chapter meticulously records the census of all Israelite males aged twenty years and older, who were fit for military service. This systematic enumeration of each tribe, including Manasseh, establishes the organizational framework for the nation's encampment, march, and future military endeavors, setting the stage for the challenges and divine provisions that characterize the wilderness narrative.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census described in Numbers 1 took place in the wilderness of Sinai, approximately one year after the Exodus from Egypt, as detailed in [Numbers 1:1](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1:1 - Census Command"). At this point, Israel was a nascent nation, recently delivered from slavery, and about to embark on a perilous journey towards a land inhabited by hostile peoples. In the ancient Near East, censuses were often conducted for taxation, forced labor, or, most commonly, for military conscription. Here, God's command to Moses and Aaron to "take a census of the whole Israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one" (as commanded in [Numbers 1:2](/numbers/1-2 "Numbers 1:2 - God's Command for the Census")) served primarily to organize Israel into a divinely ordered military force. Each tribe's count, including Manasseh's, contributed to the overall strength and structure of this "army of the Lord," preparing them not only for physical warfare but also for the disciplined life required for their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _paqad'_):** The Hebrew verb פָּקַד (*paqad*) carries a richer meaning than a simple quantitative count. While it certainly denotes "to count" or "to register," it also implies "to visit," "to attend to," "to appoint," or "to muster." In the context of the census, *paqad* signifies a divine act of oversight, enrollment, and designation. For the tribe of Manasseh, being "numbered" meant they were not merely counted as statistics but were divinely acknowledged, accounted for, and appointed for their specific role and responsibilities within the larger covenant community, particularly regarding their military readiness and participation in the journey to the Promised Land. This term highlights God's active involvement in organizing His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Those that were numbered of them":** This phrase refers to the males aged twenty years and upward, who were able to go forth to war, as specified in the overarching command for the census in [Numbers 1:3](/numbers/1-3 "Numbers 1:3 - Requirements for the Census"). It emphasizes that the count was not of the entire population, but a specific demographic identified for a strategic purpose—military service and national organization.
* **"[even] of the tribe of Manasseh":** This explicitly identifies the tribal unit being enumerated. Manasseh was one of the two half-tribes descended from Joseph (the other being Ephraim), and their inclusion here highlights the meticulous tribal breakdown of the census. Each tribe maintained its distinct identity and lineage while contributing to the collective strength of Israel.
* **"[were] thirty and two thousand and two hundred":** This provides the precise numerical total for the fighting men from the tribe of Manasseh. The exactitude of the number underscores the meticulous nature of the census and the divine precision in organizing the Israelite encampment and marching order. It signifies a tangible, measurable contribution of manpower from this specific tribe to the national strength.

#### Literary Devices
The text of Numbers 1:35, as part of the broader census record, primarily employs **Repetition** and **Precision**. The consistent phrasing used for each tribal count throughout [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel") (e.g., "Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of [Tribe Name], [were] [Number]") creates a rhythmic **Repetition** that reinforces the systematic and comprehensive nature of the census. This repetition serves to emphasize the divine order and the thoroughness with which God organized His people. Furthermore, the use of exact numbers ("thirty and two thousand and two hundred") demonstrates remarkable **Precision**, highlighting the meticulous detail of God's plan and the literal accounting of His covenant people. This precision also lends an air of historical veracity and divine authority to the record, affirming that every individual and every tribal unit was known and accounted for by God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 1:35, though a simple numerical record, powerfully conveys the theological truth of God's meticulous order, sovereign care, and purposeful design for His people. It demonstrates that God is not a God of chaos but of structure and intentionality, organizing His nation for their sacred mission and future inheritance. Every individual, and every tribal unit like Manasseh, was known, counted, and had a specific place and contribution within the divine economy of Israel. This divine organization was not merely for military efficiency but for the holistic well-being and covenant faithfulness of the entire community, preparing them to walk in obedience and fulfill their calling as God's chosen people.

* [Exodus 12:37](/exodus/12-37 "The Number of the Exodus")
* [Numbers 26:34](/numbers/26-34 "Manasseh's Census in the Second Generation")
* [Psalm 147:4](/psalm/147-4 "God Knows the Number of the Stars")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The precise numbering of the tribe of Manasseh in Numbers 1:35 serves as a profound reminder that God is intimately acquainted with every detail of His creation and, especially, with His people. Just as He meticulously organized ancient Israel for their journey and mission, He continues to work with intentionality and purpose in our lives and in the life of the church today. This verse calls us to recognize that we are not random individuals in a chaotic world, but rather, each of us is known, valued, and has a unique place within God's grand design. It encourages us to embrace our individual roles within the larger body of Christ, understanding that our contributions, however seemingly small, are vital to the collective mission. We are called to live with the same sense of readiness and purpose as the Israelites, prepared for spiritual battles, equipped for service, and committed to advancing God's kingdom in an orderly and disciplined manner, trusting that He is orchestrating every step.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to invite God's order and intentionality, trusting in His meticulous plan?**
* **How does the idea of being "numbered" by God affirm your personal value and unique contribution to the body of Christ?**
* **What specific "preparations" (spiritual, relational, practical) might God be calling you to undertake for the "journey" or "mission" He has for you?**

### FAQ
**Why was the census so important for the tribe of Manasseh, and for Israel as a whole?**

Answer: The census, including the count for Manasseh, was critically important for several reasons. Primarily, it served as a military muster, identifying all able-bodied men (20 years and older) who could "go forth to war" ([Numbers 1:3](/numbers/1-3 "Numbers 1:3 - Census Requirements")). This was essential for organizing the Israelite community into a disciplined force for their journey through the wilderness and the impending conquest of Canaan. Beyond military readiness, the census established a clear tribal and familial structure, which was vital for maintaining order, assigning responsibilities (such as carrying specific tabernacle components, as seen in [Numbers 3](/numbers/3 "Numbers 3 - The Levites' Census and Duties")), and allocating land in the future. It underscored God's desire for an organized, purposeful people, ready to fulfill their covenant obligations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 1:35 details a physical census for an earthly army, it points forward to a deeper, spiritual numbering within God's eternal kingdom, fulfilled in Christ. The meticulous counting of the tribe of Manasseh for military readiness foreshadows the spiritual army of God, the church, not mustered for earthly warfare but for spiritual battle against "the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Spiritual Warfare")). Jesus Christ is the ultimate leader and general of this spiritual host, gathering His people not by physical lineage or age, but by faith and new birth. The "numbering" of believers finds its ultimate expression in the Lamb's Book of Life, where the names of all those redeemed by Christ are eternally recorded ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Entry into the New Jerusalem")). Just as each man in Manasseh had a place in Israel's earthly mission, every believer in Christ is uniquely gifted and strategically placed within the body of Christ, the church, to participate in the advancement of God's redemptive purposes until the full number of the elect is brought in ([Romans 11:25](/romans/11-25 "Romans 11:25 - The Mystery of Israel's Partial Hardening")).

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.