Numbers 1:43

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

Those that were numbered {H6485} of them, even of the tribe {H4294} of Naphtali {H5321}, were fifty {H2572} and three {H7969} thousand {H505} and four {H702} hundred {H3967}.

Berean Standard Bible

those registered to the tribe of Naphtali numbered 53,400.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 1:43 records the precise count of the fighting men from the tribe of Naphtali during the first census of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. This specific detail, part of a larger national enumeration, highlights God's meticulous order and His people's preparedness for the journey and conquest ahead, underscoring both divine faithfulness to covenant promises and the practical organization of the nascent nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 1:43 is situated within the comprehensive census account spanning [Numbers 1:1-46](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1:1-46 - The First Census of Israel"). The preceding verses detail the divine command for the census, specifying that it should include all Israelite males aged twenty years and upward who were "able to go forth to war" ([Numbers 1:3](/numbers/1-3 "Numbers 1:3 - Criteria for the Census")). Each tribe's count is presented sequentially, following a consistent formula, with Naphtali's enumeration appearing after Gad's and before Asher's. This meticulous listing culminates in the grand total of the fighting men of Israel in [Numbers 1:46](/numbers/1-46 "Numbers 1:46 - Total Count of the First Census"), emphasizing the collective strength and organization of the twelve tribes as a unified entity under God's command. The chapter sets the stage for the subsequent organization of the camp, the assignment of duties, and the preparation for the wilderness journey.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This census takes place in the wilderness of Sinai, approximately one year after the Exodus from Egypt, as indicated in [Numbers 1:1](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1:1 - Setting the Stage for the Census"). The primary purpose was military, to ascertain the nation's strength for war and to organize them for their nomadic journey and eventual conquest of Canaan. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, censuses were often conducted for taxation, military conscription, or land allocation. For Israel, this census also served a theological purpose, demonstrating God's faithfulness in multiplying Abraham's descendants into a great nation, a promise reiterated in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham") and [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - Abraham's Descendants as Stars"). The sheer number of fighting men—over 600,000 in total, excluding the Levites—was a tangible sign of divine blessing and a stark contrast to their enslaved state just a generation prior, as recounted in [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Exodus 1:7 - Israel's Growth in Egypt"). This enumeration was foundational for the structured encampment around the Tabernacle and the disciplined march through the wilderness, reflecting God's desire for order and readiness in His people.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _paqad'_):** This verb, פָּקַד, carries a richer meaning than simply "to count." While it denotes a numerical tally, it also implies an act of "visiting," "inspecting," "attending to," or "appointing." In the context of the census, it suggests divine oversight and purposeful identification. God is not merely taking a headcount; He is actively engaging with His people, acknowledging each tribe and individual as part of His plan, and assigning them their roles and responsibilities within the community and for the impending tasks of the wilderness journey and conquest. This verb highlights God's meticulous care and active involvement in the details of His people's lives and organization.
* **Naphtali (Hebrew, _Naphtali'_):** נַפְתָּלִי, meaning "my wrestling," refers to one of Jacob's sons by Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. The name itself, given by Rachel in [Genesis 30:8](/genesis/30-8 "Genesis 30:8 - Rachel Names Naphtali"), alludes to the "wrestlings of God" or "great wrestlings" she engaged in. The tribe of Naphtali, therefore, carried a historical identity rooted in struggle and divine intervention. Their significant number of 53,400 fighting men demonstrates their considerable strength and contribution to the overall military might of Israel, fulfilling the promise of numerous descendants.
* **Fifty and three thousand and four hundred (Hebrew, _ḥamishshim v'shloshah elef u'arba' me'ot'_):** This precise numerical figure underscores the meticulousness of the census and the divine attention to detail. The exactness of the numbers, down to the hundreds, emphasizes the thoroughness of the counting process and the reality of Israel's burgeoning population. Far from being an abstract statistic, this specific number represents a tangible manifestation of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises to multiply Abraham's seed into a vast nation, ready to inherit the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Those that were numbered of them":** This phrase refers to the specific demographic group being counted, which, as established in [Numbers 1:2-3](/numbers/1-2 "Numbers 1:2-3 - Census Criteria"), included all males aged twenty years and upward who were physically capable of participating in warfare. This was not a general population count but a military census, focused on the nation's readiness for conflict and organized movement.
* **"[even] of the tribe of Naphtali":** This clause precisely identifies the specific tribal unit to which the preceding count applies. It highlights the individual identity and distinct contribution of each of the twelve tribes within the larger national body. The inclusion of "even" in the KJV emphasizes that this is a specific subset within the larger group being numbered.
* **"[were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred":** This is the exact numerical total for the fighting men of the tribe of Naphtali. The precision of this figure, like all the tribal counts in the chapter, underscores the meticulousness of the divine command and the thoroughness with which Moses and Aaron executed the census. It represents a significant military contingent, demonstrating Naphtali's strength and its vital role within the collective force of Israel.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 1:43 and the surrounding census account is **Formulaic Language** and **Repetition**. Each tribal count adheres to a rigid, predictable structure, beginning with the identification of the tribe, followed by the phrase "those that were numbered of them," and concluding with the precise numerical total. This repetitive structure creates a sense of order, reliability, and divine authority, reinforcing the meticulousness of God's command and the systematic organization of His people. Closely related is **Catalogue** or **List**, as the entire chapter is essentially a detailed enumeration, systematically listing each tribe's contribution to the national strength. This serves to emphasize the collective power and unity of Israel, while simultaneously highlighting the distinct identity and contribution of each individual tribe. Finally, the extreme **Precision** of the numbers, down to the hundreds, functions as a literary device to convey accuracy, thoroughness, and the tangible fulfillment of God's promise of multiplication, transforming an abstract promise into a concrete reality.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 1:43, though a single statistic, powerfully illustrates several core theological truths. It speaks to God's profound commitment to order and structure within His creation and among His people. The meticulous counting of each tribe, down to the last hundred, reveals a divine nature that is not chaotic but purposeful and precise. This census was not merely an administrative task; it was an act of divine oversight, preparing Israel for their sacred mission and journey. Furthermore, the sheer numbers across the tribes, including Naphtali's significant contribution, serve as a tangible testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, transforming his descendants into a vast nation, ready to inherit the land. This demonstrates that God's promises are not abstract but find concrete, historical realization.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham to Make a Great Nation")
* [Exodus 1:7](/exodus/1-7 "Israel's Fruitfulness and Multiplication in Egypt")
* [Deuteronomy 1:8](/deuteronomy/1-8 "The Lord's Promise of the Land to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly dry statistics of Numbers 1:43 hold profound spiritual lessons for us today. Just as God meticulously numbered and organized the tribes of Israel for their specific roles and the journey ahead, so too does He care about the details of our lives and calls us to be prepared for the tasks He sets before us. This verse reminds us that God is a God of order, purpose, and intentionality, and He desires His people to reflect these attributes. We are called to embrace our unique place within the larger body of believers, recognizing that our individual contributions, no matter how seemingly small or statistical, are valued and contribute to the collective mission of the church. Much like the distinct tribes formed one nation under God's guidance, we are part of a larger spiritual army, called to be disciplined, prepared, and united in fulfilling God's purposes in the world. Our readiness for service, our willingness to be counted and assigned, and our trust in God's overarching plan are crucial for spiritual progress and victory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of God's census in Numbers 1:43 challenge my own approach to order and intentionality in my spiritual life and service?**
* **In what ways am I being called to be "numbered" or prepared for specific tasks or "warfare" in my current season of life?**
* **How does understanding my individual value within the larger "tribe" or body of Christ encourage me to embrace my unique role and contribute to the collective mission?**

### FAQ
**Why was this census so important for the Israelites?**

Answer: The census recorded in Numbers 1, including the count for Naphtali in [Numbers 1:43](/numbers/1-43 "Numbers 1:43 - Count of Naphtali"), was crucial for several reasons. Primarily, it was a military census, identifying all males aged twenty and above who were "able to go forth to war" ([Numbers 1:3](/numbers/1-3 "Numbers 1:3 - Criteria for the Census")). This provided a clear understanding of Israel's fighting strength as they prepared for their journey through the wilderness and the eventual conquest of the Promised Land. Beyond military readiness, it facilitated the precise organization of the camp around the Tabernacle, assigned specific roles and responsibilities to each tribe (e.g., the Levites' duties in [Numbers 1:50-53](/numbers/1-50 "Numbers 1:50-53 - Duties of the Levites")), and confirmed God's faithfulness in multiplying Abraham's descendants into a vast nation, fulfilling His covenant promises (e.g., [Genesis 22:17](/genesis/22-17 "Genesis 22:17 - God's Promise to Multiply Abraham's Descendants")). It was foundational for establishing divine order and discipline within the nascent nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 1:43 appears to be a purely historical and statistical record, its underlying themes find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The meticulous numbering of Israel's fighting men for war foreshadows the spiritual army of God's people in the New Covenant, who are called to engage in spiritual warfare not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces of evil ([Ephesians 6:12](/ephesians/6-12 "Ephesians 6:12 - Our Struggle is Not Against Flesh and Blood")). Just as each tribe was counted and assigned its place, so too are believers "numbered" in Christ, each given unique gifts and roles within the body of Christ, the church ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ, Many Members, One Body")). The vast numbers of Israel, fulfilling God's promise to Abraham, find their ultimate expansion in the multi-ethnic, countless multitude of believers redeemed by Christ from every nation, tribe, and tongue ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - A Great Multitude from Every Nation")). The census also speaks to God's perfect knowledge and care for His people; in Christ, our names are not merely counted in a military register but are eternally written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Book of Life"), signifying our secure identity and inheritance in Him. The order and preparedness seen in Numbers anticipate the disciplined life of discipleship, where believers are equipped and ready to follow the [Captain of their Salvation](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Jesus, the Captain of Salvation"), Jesus Christ, in advancing His kingdom.

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 26:50

These [are] the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them [were] forty and five thousand and four hundred.

Numbers 2:30

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