Numbers 1:23
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
Original Language Analysis
פְּקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם
Those that were numbered
H6485
פְּקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם
Those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
1 of 8
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
לְמַטֵּ֣ה
of them even of the tribe
H4294
לְמַטֵּ֣ה
of them even of the tribe
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
2 of 8
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
שִׁמְע֑וֹן
of Simeon
H8095
שִׁמְע֑וֹן
of Simeon
Strong's:
H8095
Word #:
3 of 8
shimon, one of jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
6 of 8
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Historical Context
Simeon's territory was eventually embedded within Judah's inheritance (Joshua 19:1-9), fulfilling Jacob's prophecy that Simeon would be 'divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel' (Genesis 49:7). The tribe largely disappeared from biblical narrative after the period of the judges.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Simeon's dramatic population decline warn against presuming on God's grace based on covenant status alone?
- What does this teach us about the principle that 'to whom much is given, much will be required' (Luke 12:48)?
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Analysis & Commentary
Simeon's census figure (59,300) made them one of the larger tribes initially, yet by the second census (Numbers 26:14), they had dropped to 22,200, the smallest tribe—a devastating 62% loss. This dramatic decline, likely due to the Baal-Peor incident where Simeonites featured prominently (Numbers 25:6-15), demonstrates that size and initial prominence mean nothing without faithfulness. God's justice will not overlook persistent rebellion, even within the covenant community.