Numbers 2:30

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And his host {H6635}, and those that were numbered {H6485} of them, were fifty {H2572} and three {H7969} thousand {H505} and four {H702} hundred {H3967}.

Berean Standard Bible

and his division numbers 53,400.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 2:30 meticulously records the census count for the tribe of Dan, specifying their numbered men as fifty-three thousand and four hundred (53,400). This verse is an integral part of the broader divine blueprint for the Israelite encampment in the wilderness, meticulously detailing the precise arrangement of the twelve tribes around the central Tabernacle. It underscores God's profound commitment to order, precision, and preparation for His people's journey and purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 2:30 is situated within a highly structured chapter that systematically details the encampment order of the Israelite tribes. Following the initial census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel"), which established the total number of fighting men, [Numbers 2](/numbers/2 "Numbers 2 - The Encampment Order") outlines God's precise instructions for how these tribes were to be arranged around the Tabernacle. Each of the four cardinal directions (east, south, west, north) was assigned three specific tribes, each with a designated leader and their recorded population count. Numbers 2:30 specifically pertains to the northern division, where the tribe of Dan, along with Asher and Naphtali, was positioned. This meticulous enumeration and arrangement highlight the divine mandate for order and readiness as Israel prepared for their wilderness journey and eventual entry into the Promised Land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The act of conducting a census in ancient Israel, as seen in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel") and reiterated in [Numbers 2](/numbers/2 "Numbers 2 - The Encampment Order"), was not merely a demographic exercise. It served crucial military, administrative, and spiritual purposes. A census determined the number of men available for military service, assessed the nation's strength, and facilitated the organization of the people for movement and battle. Culturally, the precise ordering of the tribes around the Tabernacle reflected the centrality of God's presence in their national life. The Tabernacle, housing the Ark of the Covenant, was the epicenter of their worship and identity, symbolizing God's dwelling among them. The disciplined camp structure was essential for maintaining sanitation, order, and spiritual purity within a massive nomadic population, preparing them for the challenges of the wilderness and the future conquest of Canaan, as foreshadowed in [Deuteronomy 8:2](/deuteronomy/8-2 "Deuteronomy 8:2 - Remembering the Wilderness Journey").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Host (Hebrew, צָבָא, _tsava'_):** This term, often translated as "host," "army," or "multitude," carries significant military connotations. When applied to the tribes of Israel, it implies an organized, disciplined body of people, ready for service and battle. In the context of Numbers, it underscores the martial readiness of the Israelite community, not just as a collection of families, but as a divinely ordered army preparing for the conquest of the Promised Land.
* **Numbered (Hebrew, פָּקַד, _paqad'_):** More profound than a simple count, _paqad_ signifies "to visit, inspect, enroll, appoint, or muster." It suggests a divine act of oversight, a purposeful registration for a specific duty or destiny. Thus, when Dan's host was "numbered," it was an act of divine recognition and enrollment, signifying their accountability and readiness under God's command for the journey and the tasks ahead.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And his host":** This phrase refers to the collective body of men from the tribe of Dan, emphasizing their organized and unified nature. It highlights that the count is not merely of individuals but of a cohesive unit, prepared for collective action and service.
* **"and those that were numbered of them":** This clause specifically points to the census operation, indicating that these men were formally registered and accounted for by divine command. It underscores the intentionality and purpose behind the enumeration, signifying their official enrollment for the wilderness journey and military readiness.
* **"[were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred":** This precise numerical figure (53,400) provides the exact strength of the tribe of Dan's fighting men. The specificity of the number highlights God's meticulous attention to detail and the vast scale of the Israelite population, demonstrating His faithfulness in multiplying Abraham's descendants.

#### Literary Devices
The passage, including Numbers 2:30, employs several literary devices to convey its message. **Repetition** is prominent throughout [Numbers 2](/numbers/2 "Numbers 2 - The Encampment Order"), as the phrase "and his host, and those that were numbered of them, were..." is iterated for each tribe, emphasizing the systematic and exhaustive nature of the census and the divine order. This repetition also highlights the **precision** and meticulous detail with which God orchestrates the encampment. Furthermore, the entire arrangement of the camp functions as **symbolism**. The orderly formation of the tribes around the Tabernacle visually represents God's central presence among His people, His desire for holiness and order, and their identity as a unified, consecrated nation under His direct leadership. The specific numbers and positions also contribute to the symbolic representation of Israel as a divinely organized army, ready for their sacred mission.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 2:30, in its meticulous detail, powerfully conveys God's character as a God of order, precision, and purpose. It reveals that God cares about the specifics of His people's lives and their collective organization, not for arbitrary reasons, but for the effective fulfillment of His redemptive plan. The numbering of each tribe, including Dan, underscores the value of every individual and every group within the larger community, each having a unique place and contribution to the whole. This divine ordering was essential for Israel's journey, worship, and military readiness, teaching them discipline and dependence on God's blueprint.

* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order")
* [Ephesians 4:16](/ephesians/4-16 "Ephesians 4:16 - The Body of Christ")
* [Psalm 147:4](/psalms/147-4 "Psalm 147:4 - God Knows Every Star")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed census of Dan, and indeed of all Israel, serves as a profound reminder that God is not a God of chaos, but of meticulous order and intentional design. Just as He knew the exact number and position of each tribe for their wilderness journey, so too does He have a precise plan and purpose for each of us within His global family, the Church. This verse encourages us to embrace divine order in our personal lives and communal ministries, understanding that even seemingly small details contribute to God's grand narrative. It calls us to recognize our unique "number" and "place" within the body of Christ, to be prepared and organized for the work He has set before us, and to trust that His detailed oversight leads to our flourishing and the accomplishment of His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous order of the Israelite camp challenge our understanding of God's character and His desire for order in our lives?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals or as a church community, better embrace our unique "number" and "position" within God's larger plan?**
* **What practical steps can we take to be more "prepared" and "organized" for the specific tasks and callings God has placed before us?**

### FAQ
**Why was it important for God to specify the exact number of men for each tribe?**

Answer: Specifying the exact number for each tribe was crucial for several reasons. It demonstrated God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereign oversight of His people. Practically, it was essential for military organization and readiness, allowing for the strategic deployment of forces. It also served administrative purposes, such as the allocation of resources and future land distribution in Canaan. The numbers reinforced tribal identity while simultaneously showing their collective strength as a unified nation under God's command. Furthermore, it served as a tangible proof of God's faithfulness to His covenant promise to Abraham, to multiply his descendants into a great nation, as seen in [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham").

**What was the significance of Dan's position in the camp?**

Answer: The tribe of Dan, along with Asher and Naphtali, formed the northern division of the Israelite camp. During the wilderness journeys, this division often served as the rear guard, protecting the entire encampment from behind. This strategic position highlights their important role in the overall security and movement of the nation. It underscores that every tribe, regardless of its size or specific role, had a vital and divinely appointed function within the larger community, contributing to the safety and success of the entire pilgrimage to the Promised Land, as detailed in [Numbers 10:25](/numbers/10-25 "Numbers 10:25 - The Marching Order").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous ordering of the Israelite camp around the Tabernacle, with each tribe's precise number and position, profoundly foreshadows the Christ-centered order of God's redemptive plan. The Tabernacle, the dwelling place of God among His people, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is [God with us](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Immanuel, God With Us"), the true and greater Tabernacle (John 1:14). The ordered community of Israel, prepared for a physical journey and battle, points to the Church, the body of Christ, where every believer is "numbered" and given a unique gift and place for spiritual warfare and pilgrimage towards the [heavenly Jerusalem](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22 - The Heavenly Jerusalem"). Just as God meticulously knew the strength of Dan, so too does Christ, the [Good Shepherd](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"), know each of His sheep by name, ensuring that none are lost and all are accounted for within His flock. The divine precision in Numbers 2:30 speaks to the providential care of God, a care fully realized in Christ, who perfectly fulfills God's plan for His people, leading them not to an earthly land, but to eternal life and communion with God. He is the true [Captain of our salvation](/hebrews/2-10 "Hebrews 2:10 - Jesus, Captain of Salvation"), organizing His spiritual army for victory over sin and death.

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 1:42

Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Numbers 1:43

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

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.