Numbers 1:16
These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
Original Language Analysis
הָֽעֵדָ֔ה
of the congregation
H5712
הָֽעֵדָ֔ה
of the congregation
Strong's:
H5712
Word #:
3 of 10
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
נְשִׂיאֵ֖י
princes
H5387
נְשִׂיאֵ֖י
princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
מַטּ֣וֹת
of the tribes
H4294
מַטּ֣וֹת
of the tribes
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
5 of 10
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
אֲבוֹתָ֑ם
of their fathers
H1
אֲבוֹתָ֑ם
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 10
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
רָאשֵׁ֛י
heads
H7218
רָאשֵׁ֛י
heads
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
7 of 10
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אַלְפֵ֥י
of thousands
H505
אַלְפֵ֥י
of thousands
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
8 of 10
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Cross References
Exodus 18:25And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.Exodus 18:21Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:Numbers 7:2That the princes of Israel, heads of the house of their fathers, who were the princes of the tribes, and were over them that were numbered, offered:Numbers 26:9And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:Numbers 1:4And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.Numbers 16:2And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:
Historical Context
The Hebrew term for 'renowned' (qara') indicates those 'called' or 'summoned,' emphasizing their appointed rather than self-assumed status. These leaders formed the core of Israel's administrative structure during the wilderness period and the conquest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the principle that these leaders' renown came from divine appointment rather than personal merit challenge worldly notions of fame and significance?
- What does this teach us about the source of a Christian's identity and worth?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
These tribal princes were 'renowned' not by worldly standards but by divine appointment and covenant status. Their renown came from being chosen by God to represent their tribes, not from personal achievement or inherited nobility. This principle of derived honor, where worth comes from relationship to God rather than innate qualities, prefigures the Christian's standing in Christ, where believers are 'chosen,' 'royal,' and 'holy' (1 Peter 2:9) by grace rather than merit.