Numbers 1:45

Authorized King James Version

So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּֽהְי֛וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#3
פְּקוּדֵ֥י
So were all those that were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#4
מִבֶּ֨ן
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#5
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#6
לְבֵ֣ית
by the house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#7
אֲבֹתָ֑ם
H1
of their fathers
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
#8
מִבֶּ֨ן
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#9
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים
from twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#10
שָׁנָה֙
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#11
וָמַ֔עְלָה
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#12
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
יֹצֵ֥א
all that were able to go forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#14
צָבָ֖א
to war
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#15
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
in Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis

Within the broader context of Numbers, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Numbers's theological argument.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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