Numbers 2:15
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.
Original Language Analysis
וּצְבָא֖וֹ
And his host
H6635
וּצְבָא֖וֹ
And his host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
1 of 8
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
וּפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם
and those that were numbered
H6485
וּפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם
and those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 8
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶ֔לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֔לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
5 of 8
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְשֵׁ֥שׁ
and six
H8337
וְשֵׁ֥שׁ
and six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
6 of 8
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
Historical Context
Gad's military strength proved valuable during the conquest, as the tribe fulfilled its promise to fight alongside the western tribes before settling their own territory east of Jordan (Joshua 22:1-9). Their faithfulness in this obligation prevented greater problems.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Gad's blessing paired with later questionable choices teach us that current spiritual prosperity doesn't guarantee future faithfulness?
- What does this warn us about the need for continued vigilance and obedience across time?
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Analysis & Commentary
Gad's census total (45,650) contributed substantially to Reuben's division. Despite the tribe's later somewhat ambiguous status (settling east of Jordan), their numerical strength in the wilderness demonstrated God's blessing. This reminds us that current blessing doesn't guarantee future faithfulness—each generation must walk faithfully or risk losing God's continued favor through rebellion.