Numbers 1:33

Authorized King James Version

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
פְּקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם
Those that were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#2
לְמַטֵּ֣ה
of them even of the tribe
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
#3
אֶפְרָ֑יִם
of Ephraim
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#4
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
were forty
forty
#5
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#6
וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ
and five
five
#7
מֵאֽוֹת׃
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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