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 meticulously records the precise count of thirty-two thousand two hundred fighting men from the tribe of Manasseh, a specific detail within the comprehensive census of Israel commanded by God at Mount Sinai. This enumeration was a foundational act of divine organization, preparing the Israelite nation for its wilderness journey and the impending conquest of the Promised Land, thereby underscoring God's profound order, purposeful design, and sovereign care for His covenant people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 1:35 is situated within the opening chapter of the Book of Numbers, which marks a significant transition in Israel's narrative. Following the detailed legal and cultic instructions received at Mount Sinai in Leviticus, Numbers 1 initiates the preparation for Israel's journey from Sinai to the Promised Land. The entire chapter is dedicated to a meticulous census of all Israelite males aged twenty years and older, who were fit for military service. This systematic enumeration, including the specific count for Manasseh, establishes the foundational organizational framework for the nation's encampment, marching order, and future military endeavors. It sets the stage for the challenges of the wilderness and highlights the divine provision and discipline that would characterize their pilgrimage.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census documented in Numbers 1 took place in the wilderness of Sinai, approximately one year after the momentous Exodus from Egypt, as indicated in [Numbers 1:1](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1:1 - Census Command"). At this juncture, Israel, a newly formed nation delivered from generations of slavery, was poised to embark on a perilous journey towards a land inhabited by formidable peoples. In the ancient Near East, censuses were commonly conducted for purposes such as taxation, forced labor, or, most frequently, for military conscription. Here, God's explicit 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 inherent in their covenant relationship with Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 1:35 contributes to several overarching themes within the Book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Foremost among these is the theme of **Divine Order and Organization**. The precise counting of each tribe, including Manasseh, demonstrates God's meticulous attention to detail and His desire for an ordered community, not one of chaos. This organization was essential for the nation's encampment, march, and future settlement, reflecting God's character as a God of structure. Another key theme is **Preparation for Holy War and Inheritance**. The census was primarily a military muster, signifying Israel's readiness to engage in the battles necessary to inherit the Promised Land. The enumeration of fighting men underscores the reality that the covenant promises, while divinely given, would require human participation and obedience. Finally, the census highlights the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Accountability**. By being "numbered," each individual and tribe was brought under divine scrutiny and accountability, reminding them of their obligations within the covenant. This detailed accounting underscores that every member of the covenant community had a vital role to play in God's redemptive plan, a principle echoed in the later census of [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** The Hebrew verb פָּקַד (*pâqad*, H6485) is richer than a simple quantitative count. While it certainly denotes "to count" or "to register," it profoundly implies "to visit (with friendly or hostile intent)," "to oversee," "to muster," "to charge," "to care for," or "to appoint." In the context of the census, *pâqad* signifies a divine act of oversight, enrollment, and designation. For the tribe of Manasseh, being "numbered" meant they were not merely 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 and purposeful involvement in organizing His people.
* **Tribe (Hebrew, _maṭṭeh'_):** The Hebrew word מַטֶּה (*maṭṭeh*, H4294) literally means "branch" or "rod," but figuratively, as used here, it signifies a "tribe." This usage emphasizes the organic, familial, and hierarchical structure of Israel. Each *maṭṭeh* was a distinct branch stemming from a common patriarch, maintaining its lineage and identity while contributing to the collective strength of the nation. The counting of each *maṭṭeh* underscores the importance of tribal identity and the structured, familial basis of Israel's national organization, ensuring that each family unit had its place and responsibilities within the larger whole.
* **Manasseh (Hebrew, _Mᵉnashsheh'_):** The name מְנַשֶּׁה (*Mᵉnashsheh*, H4519) means "causing to forget." Manasseh was the elder son of Joseph, whose descendants formed one of the prominent tribes of Israel. His name, given by Joseph, reflected Joseph's declaration that "God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father's household" ([Genesis 41:51](/genesis/41-51 "Genesis 41:51 - Joseph Names Manasseh")). The inclusion of Manasseh's specific count in Numbers 1:35 highlights the meticulous tribal breakdown of the census, acknowledging the unique identity and contribution of each of Jacob's descendants to the overall strength and composition of the Israelite nation, despite the symbolic meaning of their patriarch's name.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Those that were numbered of them":** This opening phrase precisely defines the demographic being counted. It refers specifically to the males aged twenty years and upward, who were able to go forth to war, as stipulated in the overarching command for the census in [Numbers 1:3](/numbers/1-3 "Numbers 1:3 - Requirements for the Census"). This emphasizes that the enumeration was not of the entire population but a targeted count of those fit for military service, highlighting the strategic and purposeful nature of the census for national defense and conquest.
* **"[even] of the tribe of Manasseh":** This clause explicitly identifies the specific tribal unit being enumerated. Manasseh, as one of the two half-tribes descended from Joseph (the other being Ephraim), held a significant position within Israel. Its inclusion here underscores the meticulous tribal breakdown of the census, affirming that each tribe maintained its distinct identity, lineage, and leadership while contributing to the collective strength and unity of the twelve tribes of Israel.
* **"[were] thirty and two thousand and two hundred":** This provides the exact numerical total for the fighting men from the tribe of Manasseh. The remarkable precision of this number (32,200) underscores the meticulous nature of the census and the divine exactitude in organizing the Israelite encampment and marching order. It signifies a tangible, measurable contribution of manpower from this specific tribe to the national strength, reflecting God's detailed knowledge and ordering of His people.

#### Literary Devices
The text of Numbers 1:35, as an integral part of the broader census record in Numbers 1, primarily employs **Repetition** and **Precision**. The consistent, formulaic 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 powerfully reinforces the systematic, comprehensive, and divinely ordained nature of the census. This rhetorical device emphasizes the thoroughness with which God organized His people, ensuring no tribe or eligible individual was overlooked. Furthermore, the use of exact, specific numbers (such as "thirty and two thousand and two hundred") demonstrates remarkable **Precision**. This precision highlights the meticulous detail of God's plan, the literal accounting of His covenant people, and the historical veracity of the record. It lends an air of divine authority and factual accuracy, affirming that every individual and every tribal unit was known, accounted for, and had a designated place within God's meticulously ordered community.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 1:35, though seemingly a simple numerical record, profoundly 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, intentionality, and precision, 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, covenant faithfulness, and spiritual discipline of the entire community, preparing them to walk in obedience and fulfill their calling as God's chosen people. The census reveals a God who is intimately involved in the details of His people's lives, ensuring their readiness for both physical and spiritual challenges.

* [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 and that His detailed plan encompasses our lives, our gifts, and our calling.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you need to invite God's order and intentionality, trusting in His meticulous plan and sovereign oversight?**
* **How does the idea of being "numbered" and known by God affirm your personal value and unique contribution to the body of Christ and His global mission?**
* **What specific "preparations" (spiritual disciplines, relational investments, practical skills development) might God be calling you to undertake for the "journey" or "mission" He has uniquely designed 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 specific count for Manasseh, was critically important for several profound 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 absolutely essential for organizing the Israelite community into a disciplined and formidable force for their journey through the perilous 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 specific responsibilities (such as the Levites' duties concerning the Tabernacle, as seen in [Numbers 3](/numbers/3 "Numbers 3 - The Levites' Census and Duties")), and ensuring a fair allocation of land in the future Promised Land. It underscored God's desire for an organized, purposeful people, ready to fulfill their covenant obligations and demonstrate their obedience to His divine commands.

### 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, profoundly 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, general, and head of this spiritual host, gathering His people not by physical lineage or age, but by faith and new birth through His atoning work. The "numbering" of believers finds its ultimate and eternal 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 specific place and contribution 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 and the kingdom fully realized ([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.

Cross-References

Numbers 26:34

These [are] the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.

Numbers 2:21

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

Genesis 48:19

And his father refused, and said, I know [it], my son, I know [it]: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.

Genesis 48:20

And he blessed them that day, saying, In thee shall Israel bless, saying, God make thee as Ephraim and as Manasseh: and he set Ephraim before Manasseh.