Numbers 1:25
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.
Original Language Analysis
פְּקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם
Those that were numbered
H6485
פְּקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם
Those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
1 of 9
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 9
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
גָ֑ד
of Gad
H1410
גָ֑ד
of Gad
Strong's:
H1410
Word #:
3 of 9
gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet
אֶ֔לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֔לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
6 of 9
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְשֵׁ֥שׁ
six
H8337
וְשֵׁ֥שׁ
six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
7 of 9
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
Historical Context
Gad's territory east of the Jordan included fortified cities and good pastureland, which motivated their request to settle there (Numbers 32:1-5). Moses granted this request conditionally, requiring their participation in Canaan's conquest before settling their families.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Gad's choice to settle for second-best (good pastureland) rather than God's best (the Promised Land) warn against settling for lesser spiritual blessings?
- What does this teach us about the danger of making decisions based on worldly prosperity rather than divine promise?
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Analysis & Commentary
Gad's 45,650 fighting men represented substantial military strength, yet the tribe's choice to settle outside the Promised Land proper (Numbers 32) shows that military might means nothing without full obedience to God's revealed will. The tribe that could provide nearly 50,000 warriors ultimately weakened Israel by fragmenting the nation. This illustrates that effectiveness in God's kingdom requires not just ability but proper alignment with His purposes.