Numbers 2:4

KJV

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

And his host {H6635}, and those that were numbered {H6485} of them, were threescore and fourteen {H7657}{H702} thousand {H505} and six {H8337} hundred {H3967}.

Berean Standard Bible

The leader of the descendants of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab, and his division numbers 74,600.

American Standard Version

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 2:4 precisely details the numerical strength of the tribe of Judah, recording 74,600 men aged twenty and upward, able to go to war. This verse is part of God's meticulously revealed plan for the encampment and marching order of the Israelite tribes in the wilderness, placing Judah at the forefront on the east side of the Tabernacle. It underscores divine order, military readiness, and prophetically highlights Judah's significant and enduring leadership role within the nation of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 2:4 is an integral part of the detailed organizational blueprint for the Israelite camp and their wilderness journey. Chapter 2 meticulously outlines the divine arrangement of the twelve tribes around the central Tabernacle, specifying their designated positions and marching order. This chapter follows the census commanded by God in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The Census of Israel"), which enumerated all Israelite men twenty years and older who were capable of military service. Judah, as detailed in [Numbers 2:3](/numbers/2-3 "Numbers 2:3 - Judah's Position in the Camp"), is assigned the leading position on the east side, accompanied by the tribes of Issachar and Zebulun, forming the vanguard of the camp and the first division to march. The precise numbers for each tribe, as seen in this verse for Judah, reinforce the meticulous nature of God's instructions and the structured identity of His people.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for Numbers 2:4 is the wilderness journey of the Israelites shortly after their exodus from Egypt. At this time, Israel was transitioning from a collection of families into a unified nation, requiring divine structure for both spiritual and practical survival. The census, as initiated in [Numbers 1:3](/numbers/1-3 "Numbers 1:3 - The Command for the Census"), was not merely a demographic count but a military muster, identifying all men "able to go forth to war." This was crucial for defense against potential enemies and for maintaining order among a vast population. The arrangement around the Tabernacle signified God's central presence among His people, emphasizing their identity as a holy nation set apart. Culturally, tribal identity was paramount, and the specific numbers for each tribe, like Judah's 74,600, reflected their relative strength and contribution to the national body, setting the stage for future roles and responsibilities within the nascent nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Host (צָבָא, _tsava'_):** This Hebrew term refers to an army, a multitude, or a company, often implying an organized body of people, particularly for military purposes. In Numbers 2:4, it emphasizes that the counted men of Judah constituted a formidable, organized military contingent, ready for deployment. It highlights the practical, defensive, and offensive capabilities of the tribe within the larger Israelite "army of God."
* **Numbered (פָּקַד, _paqad'_):** This verb means "to count," "to muster," "to visit," or "to appoint." In the context of the census, it conveys the idea of a deliberate, precise, and divinely sanctioned enumeration. It signifies that God Himself was overseeing this process, not just for human organizational purposes, but for His sovereign plan for His people. The act of "numbering" implies divine knowledge and purposeful assignment.
* **Threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred (שִׁבְעִים וְאַרְבַּע אֶלֶף וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת, _shiv'im v'arba' elef v'shesh me'ot_):** This is the KJV's rendering of 74,600. The precise numerical detail, characteristic of the Book of Numbers, underscores the literal accuracy and meticulousness of the divine census. It speaks to God's attention to detail and the vast scale of the Israelite population, which required such precise organization.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And his host":** This phrase refers specifically to the military-capable men of the tribe of Judah. The term "host" underscores their function as an organized body, ready for the challenges of the wilderness journey and potential conflict.
* **"and those that were numbered of them":** This clause clarifies that the preceding "host" is comprised of individuals who have undergone the official census. It emphasizes that this is an exact, recorded count, not an estimation, reflecting the divine command for a precise enumeration of the fighting men.
* **"[were] threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred":** This provides the exact numerical result of the census for Judah: 74,600. The specific figure highlights the tribe's substantial size relative to other tribes and its significant contribution to the overall strength of Israel. The precision reinforces the meticulous nature of God's order.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device evident in Numbers 2:4, and indeed throughout the Book of Numbers, is **Enumeration** and **Precision**. The exact counting of each tribe, down to the last hundred, emphasizes the divine meticulousness and the importance of order in God's plan. This detailed accounting serves to establish the vastness of the Israelite population and the systematic organization required for their journey. Furthermore, there is an element of **Foreshadowing** and **Symbolism** in Judah's prominent position and large numbers. Judah's placement at the head of the eastern division, facing the sunrise, symbolically points to its future leadership role. This numerical strength and leading position foreshadow the tribe's ultimate significance as the royal tribe from which David would descend, and ultimately, the Messiah.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 2:4, within its broader context, profoundly illustrates God's nature as a God of order, precision, and purpose. The meticulous organization of the Israelite camp demonstrates that divine order is not arbitrary but essential for the well-being, holiness, and mission of His people. Each tribe, and indeed each individual counted within it, had a specific place and role, contributing to the strength and unity of the whole. This divine structure ensured both practical efficiency for their journey and spiritual purity in their worship, centered around the Tabernacle. The prominence of Judah, underscored by its large numbers, also highlights God's sovereign election and the unfolding of His redemptive plan through specific lineages, foreshadowing the ultimate leadership that would emerge from this tribe.

* [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Order and Decency in the Church")
* [Ephesians 4:16](/ephesians/4-16 "Ephesians 4:16 - The Body of Christ Growing in Love")
* [Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Genesis 49:10 - Jacob's Prophecy of Judah's Scepter")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed organization of the Israelite camp, with Judah leading the way, offers profound lessons for believers today. Just as God meticulously ordered ancient Israel for their journey and mission, He desires order and intentionality in our individual lives and within the church community. This passage reminds us that every believer is "numbered" and has a vital, divinely appointed role within the body of Christ, contributing to its overall strength and effectiveness. It calls us to embrace discipline, unity, and a clear understanding of our place in God's grand design. Furthermore, recognizing God's precision in counting and ordering His people should inspire confidence in His sovereign care and His ability to guide us through life's wildernesses, ensuring that His purposes are fulfilled through an organized and obedient people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine emphasis on order and precision in Numbers 2:4 challenge or affirm my understanding of God's character?**
* **In what ways can I, as an individual believer, contribute to the "order" and "unity" of my local church or Christian community?**
* **How does knowing that God "numbers" and organizes His people impact my sense of value and purpose within His kingdom?**

### FAQ
**Why was the tribe of Judah given such a prominent position and large number in the census?**

Answer: Judah's prominence was multifaceted. Practically, its large numbers (74,600) made it the largest tribe, naturally positioning it as a strong leader for the camp and march. Theologically and prophetically, Judah's leading role foreshadowed its future significance. Jacob's prophecy in [Genesis 49:10](/genesis/49-10 "Genesis 49:10 - The Scepter of Judah") declared that the scepter would not depart from Judah until Shiloh (the Messiah) came. This early positioning in the wilderness journey established Judah's preeminence, which would culminate in the Davidic monarchy and ultimately, the lineage of Jesus Christ.

**What does "threescore" mean in the phrase "threescore and fourteen thousand"?**

Answer: "Threescore" is an archaic English term meaning sixty (three scores, where a score is twenty). So, "threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred" translates directly to 74,600. This usage is common in older English translations like the King James Version, reflecting the numerical expressions of the original Hebrew text.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 2:4, detailing the strength and leading position of Judah, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus, the Messiah. The tribe of Judah, with its significant numbers and vanguard role in the wilderness, prophetically points to the One who would emerge from its lineage to lead God's people. Jesus is the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah," as proclaimed in [Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of the Tribe of Judah"), the true King and ultimate leader of God's spiritual host. Just as Judah's host was meticulously numbered and ordered for the physical journey, Christ now leads His church, His spiritual army, with perfect order and purpose. He is the head of the body, the church ([Ephesians 1:22-23](/ephesians/1-22 "Ephesians 1:22-23 - Christ as Head of the Church")), equipping His people for spiritual warfare and their journey toward the heavenly promised land ([Ephesians 6:10-18](/ephesians/6-10 "Ephesians 6:10-18 - The Armor of God")). The divine precision seen in the census of Judah foreshadows the meticulous plan of salvation fulfilled in Christ, where every believer is "numbered" and given a place in His kingdom, united under His perfect leadership.

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.