Numbers 1:18

Authorized King James Version

And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְאֵ֨ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#2
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
הָֽעֵדָ֜ה
all the congregation
a stated assemblage (specifically, a concourse, or generally, a family or crowd)
#4
הִקְהִ֗ילוּ
And they assembled
to convoke
#5
בְּאֶחָד֙
on the first
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#6
לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ
month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#7
הַשֵּׁנִ֔י
day of the second
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
#8
וַיִּתְיַֽלְד֥וּ
and they declared their pedigrees
to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage
#9
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#10
מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
#11
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#12
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
H1
of their fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#13
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#14
שֵׁמ֗וֹת
of the names
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#15
מִבֶּ֨ן
old
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#16
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
from twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#17
שָׁנָ֛ה
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#18
וָמַ֖עְלָה
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#19
לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָֽם׃
by their polls
a skull (as round); by implication, a head (in enumeration of persons)

Analysis

Within the broader context of Numbers, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Numbers's theological argument.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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