Numbers 2:4
And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
Original Language Analysis
וּצְבָא֖וֹ
And his host
H6635
וּצְבָא֖וֹ
And his host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
1 of 7
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 7
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
5 of 7
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Historical Context
Judah maintained its position as the largest or second-largest tribe throughout the wilderness period, providing military leadership in the conquest of Canaan. This strength enabled Judah to secure its inheritance and eventually become the dominant tribe in Israel.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's provision of numerical strength for Judah demonstrate His principle of equipping those He calls?
- What does Judah's military leadership prefigure about Christ's role as commander of the spiritual forces fighting against evil?
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Analysis & Commentary
The specific census figure for Judah (74,600) represents God's precise knowledge and sovereign provision of strength for the tribe destined to lead Israel and produce the Messiah. Numbers in Scripture often carry theological significance beyond mere enumeration, and Judah's numerical superiority demonstrates God's providential preparation of the means necessary for His redemptive purposes. The abundance of fighting men from Judah foreshadowed the spiritual army Christ would gather from all nations.