Numbers 2:24
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.
Original Language Analysis
כָּֽל
H3605
כָּֽל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 12
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 12
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
לְמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
of the camp
H4264
לְמַֽחֲנֵ֣ה
of the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
3 of 12
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
אֶפְרַ֗יִם
of Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֗יִם
of Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
4 of 12
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וּמֵאָ֖ה
and an hundred
H3967
וּמֵאָ֖ה
and an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
5 of 12
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
6 of 12
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וּשְׁמֹֽנַת
and eight
H8083
וּשְׁמֹֽנַת
and eight
Strong's:
H8083
Word #:
7 of 12
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
8 of 12
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וּמֵאָ֖ה
and an hundred
H3967
וּמֵאָ֖ה
and an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
9 of 12
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם
throughout their armies
H6635
לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם
throughout their armies
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
10 of 12
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
Historical Context
Despite being the smallest division, Ephraim's group marched third in Israel's procession, maintaining strong military presence in the latter half of the column. This ensured protection from rear attacks and balanced strength throughout the march order.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the smallest division still numbering over 100,000 encourage believers who feel their contribution is insignificant?
- What does this teach us about the cumulative power of many 'small' contributions in God's kingdom?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The summary total for Ephraim's division (108,100) made it the smallest of the four divisions, yet this positioning on the west maintained balanced military strength. The smallest division still contributed over 100,000 fighting men, demonstrating that even the least in God's kingdom possesses significant strength through divine blessing. No believer is insignificant; all contribute meaningfully to Christ's body.