Numbers 1:22
Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Original Language Analysis
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שִׁמְע֔וֹן
of Simeon
H8095
שִׁמְע֔וֹן
of Simeon
Strong's:
H8095
Word #:
2 of 19
shimon, one of jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him
תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם
by their generations
H8435
תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם
by their generations
Strong's:
H8435
Word #:
3 of 19
(plural only) descent, i.e., family; (figuratively) history
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
4 of 19
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
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
H1004
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 19
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
of their fathers
H1
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
of their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
6 of 19
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
פְּקֻדָ֗יו
those that were numbered
H6485
פְּקֻדָ֗יו
those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
7 of 19
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
בְּמִסְפַּ֤ר
of them according to the number
H4557
בְּמִסְפַּ֤ר
of them according to the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
8 of 19
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
שֵׁמוֹת֙
of the names
H8034
שֵׁמוֹת֙
of the names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
9 of 19
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָ֔ם
by their polls
H1538
לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָ֔ם
by their polls
Strong's:
H1538
Word #:
10 of 19
a skull (as round); by implication, a head (in enumeration of persons)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
11 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
זָכָ֗ר
every male
H2145
זָכָ֗ר
every male
Strong's:
H2145
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
13 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
16 of 19
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Historical Context
Simeon, Levi's full brother, shared in the curse against Levi for violence at Shechem (Genesis 34; 49:5-7). While Levi's descendants received priestly honor, Simeon's tribe was eventually absorbed into Judah, demonstrating differing outcomes from the same judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the consistent emphasis on family structure in the census inform our understanding of God's covenant dealings with believers and their children?
- What does Simeon's eventual absorption into Judah teach us about God's sovereignty in directing tribal and family destinies?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The repetitive structure of the census ('by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers') emphasizes covenant continuity across generations. This pattern demonstrates that God's redemptive purposes work through families and generations, not merely individuals. The Reformed principle of covenant theology, which includes believers' children in the covenant community, finds clear precedent in this genealogical organization of Israel.