Numbers 1:44
These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers.
Original Language Analysis
פָּקַ֨ד
These are those that were numbered
H6485
פָּקַ֨ד
These are those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 16
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֲשֶׁר֩
H834
אֲשֶׁר֩
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 16
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פָּקַ֨ד
These are those that were numbered
H6485
פָּקַ֨ד
These are those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
4 of 16
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
וּנְשִׂיאֵ֣י
and the princes
H5387
וּנְשִׂיאֵ֣י
and the princes
Strong's:
H5387
Word #:
7 of 16
properly, an exalted one, i.e., a king or sheik; also a rising mist
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
8 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עָשָׂ֖ר
being twelve
H6240
עָשָׂ֖ר
being twelve
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
10 of 16
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
אִ֑ישׁ
each
H376
אִ֑ישׁ
each
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
11 of 16
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)
אִישׁ
H582
אִישׁ
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
12 of 16
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
לְבֵית
was for the house
H1004
לְבֵית
was for the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
14 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
Historical Context
The twelve tribal leaders (one per tribe excluding Levi) formed Israel's primary administrative structure under Moses and Aaron. This system balanced centralized authority under Moses with distributed leadership across tribes, preventing both tyranny and anarchy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Israel's leadership structure inform biblical principles for church government today?
- What does the collaboration between Moses, Aaron, and tribal leaders teach us about the balance between centralized authority and distributed leadership?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The summary statement emphasizes Moses and Aaron's role in executing God's command, supported by the twelve tribal leaders. This hierarchical yet collaborative structure demonstrates biblical leadership principles: ultimate authority derives from God, primary leaders receive and communicate divine revelation, and secondary leaders assist in implementing God's purposes. This pattern appears throughout Scripture and reaches perfection in Christ's headship over the church, with pastors and elders assisting in shepherding God's people.