Numbers 1:26
Of the children of Judah, 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;
Original Language Analysis
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
2 of 15
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם
by their generations
H8435
תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם
by their generations
Strong's:
H8435
Word #:
3 of 15
(plural only) descent, i.e., family; (figuratively) history
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
4 of 15
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 15
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 15
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
H4557
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
according to the number
Strong's:
H4557
Word #:
7 of 15
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
שֵׁמֹ֗ת
of the names
H8034
שֵׁמֹ֗ת
of the names
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
8 of 15
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
H1121
מִבֶּ֨ן
Of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 15
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 #:
12 of 15
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
כֹּ֖ל
H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
13 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Genesis 29:35And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing.2 Samuel 24:9And Joab gave up the sum of the number of the people unto the king: and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men that drew the sword; and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men.
Historical Context
Judah had been designated by Jacob as the royal tribe (Genesis 49:10), a prophecy being fulfilled in the tribe's prominent position in wilderness organization. Judah camped on the east side of the tabernacle (the position of honor) and would lead Israel's march.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the careful preservation of Judah's genealogy demonstrate God's meticulous preparation of Christ's coming across centuries?
- What encouragement does this provide regarding God's faithfulness to His promises, even when fulfillment seems distant?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Judah's census, with its emphasis on genealogical precision, takes on profound significance given this tribe's messianic destiny. Every detail of Judah's organization pointed forward to the coming King whose genealogy would be meticulously preserved (Matthew 1; Luke 3). The tribe's numerical strength and organization prefigured its spiritual leadership role, demonstrating that God was sovereignly preparing the royal line through which salvation would come.