Numbers 1:4
And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.
Original Language Analysis
וְאִתְּכֶ֣ם
H854
וְאִתְּכֶ֣ם
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
יִֽהְי֔וּ
H1961
יִֽהְי֔וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
אִ֛ישׁ
And with you there shall be a man
H376
אִ֛ישׁ
And with you there shall be a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
אִ֛ישׁ
And with you there shall be a man
H376
אִ֛ישׁ
And with you there shall be a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
4 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לַמַּטֶּ֑ה
tribe
H4294
לַמַּטֶּ֑ה
tribe
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
5 of 10
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
אִ֛ישׁ
And with you there shall be a man
H376
אִ֛ישׁ
And with you there shall be a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
6 of 10
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
רֹ֥אשׁ
head
H7218
רֹ֥אשׁ
head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
7 of 10
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
לְבֵית
of the house
H1004
לְבֵית
of the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
8 of 10
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Cross References
Historical Context
The census occurred in the second year after the Exodus (1446 BC), at Mount Sinai, as Israel prepared for the wilderness journey to Canaan. Each tribe's leader was carefully selected, establishing a chain of command essential for organizing over 600,000 fighting men plus women and children.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's insistence on proper leadership structure reflect His sovereign order in your church and family?
- In what ways does the tribal representative system point forward to Christ as our ultimate Representative before God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
God's sovereign design for Israel's organization required representative leadership from each tribe, demonstrating the principle of federal headship that would culminate in Christ as the ultimate Head of His people. The tribal representatives served as covenant mediators between God's commands through Moses and their respective tribes, foreshadowing the priesthood of all believers under the New Covenant. This structure reveals God's orderly nature and His insistence on proper representation in covenant administration.