Numbers 2:24

Authorized King James Version

All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
כָּֽל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#2
הַפְּקֻדִ֞ים
All that were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#3
לְמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
of the camp
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
#4
אֶפְרַ֗יִם
of Ephraim
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#5
וּמֵאָ֖ה
and an hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#6
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#7
וּשְׁמֹֽנַת
and eight
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
#8
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#9
וּמֵאָ֖ה
and an hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#10
לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם
throughout their armies
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#11
וּשְׁלִשִׁ֖ים
in the third rank
third; feminine a third (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a third-story cell)
#12
יִסָּֽעוּ׃
And they shall go forward
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Numbers. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

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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