Numbers 2:21

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

And his host {H6635}, and those that were numbered {H6485} of them, were thirty {H7970} and two {H8147} thousand {H505} and two hundred {H3967}.

and his division numbers 32,200.

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

Commentary

Context of Numbers 2:21

Numbers chapter 2 meticulously details the precise arrangement of the Israelite camp during their arduous wilderness journey. Each of the twelve tribes was assigned a specific position around the Tabernacle, emphasizing God's centrality and the importance of order within the community. This particular verse, Numbers 2:21, refers to the tribe of Manasseh, detailing their specific count of fighting men as part of the larger census taken by Moses and Aaron. Manasseh was positioned on the west side of the Tabernacle, under the standard of the camp of Ephraim, along with the tribe of Benjamin.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Order and Organization: The detailed numbering and specific placement of each tribe, including Manasseh, highlight God's orderly nature. This divine instruction ensured that the vast Israelite population, numbering over 600,000 fighting men, could move and encamp efficiently and reverently around the holy presence of God.
  • Meticulous Care and Attention: The precision of the census, down to the exact number of thirty-two thousand and two hundred for Manasseh, demonstrates God's attention to every detail concerning His people. No tribe or individual was overlooked in His divine plan.
  • Preparation for Purpose: These numbers were not merely for record-keeping. They were vital for managing the logistics of a large nation in the wilderness, preparing for their eventual entry into the Promised Land, and for military readiness.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "thirty and two thousand and two hundred" is a straightforward translation of the Hebrew, emphasizing the exactness of the count for the tribe of Manasseh. There are no complex linguistic nuances in this specific numerical statement beyond the fact that it reflects a precise, divinely-commanded census, not an approximation. This precision underscores the organized nature of the Israelite encampment as laid out in Numbers 2:2.

Practical Application

The meticulous detail found in Numbers 2:21 and the surrounding chapters offers several timeless lessons:

  • God Values Order: Just as God brought order to the chaos of creation, He desires order in the lives of His people and in His church. This verse reminds us that structure and discipline can be divinely inspired and beneficial.
  • God's Personal Care: The detailed numbering of each tribe, even down to a specific count for Manasseh, reassures us that God sees and cares for every individual within His larger body. He knows our "number," and we are not lost in the crowd.
  • Obedience to Divine Instructions: The Israelites' obedience to these specific instructions, even for seemingly logistical matters, was crucial for their safety, unity, and effectiveness in the wilderness. It teaches us the importance of heeding God's commands in all areas of life, trusting in His wisdom.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

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 1:35

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