Numbers 2:31
All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards.
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 14
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַפְּקֻדִים֙
All they that were numbered
H6485
הַפְּקֻדִים֙
All they that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 14
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
לְמַ֣חֲנֵה
in the camp
H4264
לְמַ֣חֲנֵה
in the camp
Strong's:
H4264
Word #:
3 of 14
an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e
דָ֔ן
of Dan
H1835
דָ֔ן
of Dan
Strong's:
H1835
Word #:
4 of 14
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
6 of 14
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְשִׁבְעָ֧ה
and seven
H7651
וְשִׁבְעָ֧ה
and seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
7 of 14
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
9 of 14
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְשֵׁ֣שׁ
and six
H8337
וְשֵׁ֣שׁ
and six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
10 of 14
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
לָאַֽחֲרֹנָ֥ה
hindmost
H314
לָאַֽחֲרֹנָ֥ה
hindmost
Strong's:
H314
Word #:
12 of 14
hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western
Historical Context
Dan's division marching last in Israel's procession provided strong rearguard protection, ensuring the entire camp traveled safely. This tactical positioning showed wise military planning that protected the whole nation, not just the most prominent tribes.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the balanced strength of all four divisions around the camp illustrate Christ's provision of comprehensive spiritual protection for His church?
- What does the strong rearguard function teach us about the importance of protective ministries that guard against attacks from behind?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The summary total for Dan's division (157,600) made it the third-largest division, maintaining strong military presence in the northern sector. This substantial strength ensured balanced protection around the entire camp, with no weak points vulnerable to attack. The principle extends to the church: Christ distributes gifts throughout His body to ensure comprehensive strength with no fatal weaknesses.