Numbers 1:27
Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six 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),
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֑ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
3 of 8
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
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
Cross References
Numbers 26:22These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.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's size remained relatively stable throughout the wilderness period (later numbering 76,500 in Numbers 26:22), unlike some tribes that experienced dramatic fluctuations. This stability reflected God's providential care for the messianic line.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Judah's numerical strength paired with prophetic destiny illustrate the principle that God provides the means necessary for His ordained purposes?
- What does this teach us about trusting God to provide what is needed for the calling He has given us?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Judah's 74,600 fighting men made it the largest tribe at this census, foreshadowing its leadership role in Israel's history. Numbers often carry symbolic significance in Scripture, and Judah's numerical superiority points to the principle that God sovereignly ordains the means by which His purposes will be accomplished. The tribe's size was not accidental but providentially arranged to enable its role in producing and supporting the Davidic dynasty that would culminate in Christ.