Numbers 1:24

Authorized King James Version

Of the children of Gad, 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;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#2
גָ֔ד
of Gad
gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet
#3
תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם
by their generations
(plural only) descent, i.e., family; (figuratively) history
#4
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
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
#5
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#6
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
H1
of their fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#7
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#8
שֵׁמ֗וֹת
of the names
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#9
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#10
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
from twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#11
שָׁנָה֙
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#12
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#13
כֹּ֖ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#14
יֹצֵ֥א
all that were able to go forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#15
צָבָֽא׃
to war
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

Analysis

Within the broader context of Numbers, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. 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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