Numbers 2:16
All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.
Original Language Analysis
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַפְּקֻדִ֞ים
All that were numbered
H6485
הַפְּקֻדִ֞ים
All that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 15
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
לְמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
in the camp
H4264
לְמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
in the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
3 of 15
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
6 of 15
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְאֶחָ֨ד
and one
H259
וְאֶחָ֨ד
and one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
7 of 15
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֛לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
9 of 15
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם
throughout their armies
H6635
לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם
throughout their armies
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
13 of 15
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
Historical Context
Reuben's division marched second in Israel's procession, following Judah's division. This maintained military strength on the right flank while Judah led the advance, creating a strong forward force for Israel's travels.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's blessing on Reuben's division despite mixed spiritual futures illustrate the distinction between common and special grace?
- What does this teach us about God's kindness to all while His saving purposes focus on the elect remnant?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The summary total for Reuben's division (151,450) made it the second-largest division, demonstrating substantial military strength despite the tribes' mixed spiritual histories. God's providential blessing continued even toward those whose futures were uncertain, showing His common grace extends to all while His special saving grace preserves a remnant. This pattern appears throughout Israel's history and continues in the church today.