Numbers 1:34
Of the children of Manasseh, by 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;
Of the children {H1121} of Manasseh {H4519}, by their generations {H8435}, after their families {H4940}, by the house {H1004} of their fathers {H1}, according to the number {H4557} of the names {H8034}, from twenty {H6242} years {H8141} old {H1121} and upward {H4605}, all that were able to go forth {H3318} to war {H6635};
Descendants of M'nasheh 32,200
And from the sons of Manasseh, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,
Of the children of Manasseh, their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Cross-References
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Numbers 26:28 (2 votes)
The sons of Joseph after their families [were] Manasseh and Ephraim. -
Numbers 26:34 (2 votes)
These [are] the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.
Commentary
Numbers 1:34 records the specific details for the census of the tribe of Manasseh, conducted as part of a larger divine command to number the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. This verse is one of many that meticulously list the requirements and outcomes for each tribe during this significant organizational period.
Context
This verse is situated within the broader narrative of Numbers chapter 1, which details the first census taken by Moses and Aaron at the command of the Lord. The census was conducted "on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt" (see Numbers 1:1). The primary purpose was to count all men "from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel" (Numbers 1:3). This was not merely a demographic exercise but a crucial step in preparing the nation for their impending journey through the wilderness and the eventual conquest of the promised land. Each tribe, including Manasseh, was enumerated according to its patriarchal lineage, emphasizing the importance of family and tribal identity within the Israelite community.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insight
The phrase "able to go forth to war" (Hebrew: יֹצֵא צָבָא, yotzei tsava) is a key military term. It doesn't just mean physically capable, but implies being fit for military service, enrolled, and ready for deployment. This wasn't a casual count but a formal registration of potential soldiers for Israel's divine mission, reflecting their status as God's army.
Practical Application
Numbers 1:34, though specific to ancient Israel, offers timeless principles. It reminds us that God is a God of order, and He calls His people to be prepared and responsible. For believers today, this can translate to spiritual readiness: being equipped through God's Word, disciplined in our walk, and ready to engage in the spiritual battles of life. Just as each Israelite man had a role in the community's mission, so too does every believer have a part to play in the body of Christ, contributing to the advancement of God's kingdom with discipline and purpose. It highlights the importance of accountability within a community and being prepared for God's call.
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