Numbers 2:9
All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.
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
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
4 of 15
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֥ים
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
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
8 of 15
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְשֵֽׁשֶׁת
and six
H8337
וְשֵֽׁשֶׁת
and six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
9 of 15
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֥ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
10 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
Judah's division (Judah, Issachar, Zebulun) would lead Israel's marches throughout the wilderness period, setting the pace and direction for the entire nation. This early leadership foreshadowed Judah's later political dominance culminating in the Davidic dynasty.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's provision of numerical strength for Judah's division illustrate His faithfulness to equip His people for their assigned tasks?
- What does Judah's division leading Israel's marches prefigure about Christ leading His people through their wilderness journey?
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Analysis & Commentary
The summary total for Judah's division (186,400) made it the largest of the four divisions, befitting the royal tribe's leadership role. This numerical superiority wasn't accidental but reflected God's providential preparation of the messianic line. The principle extends to Christ's church: God provides whatever resources His purposes require, whether numerical strength, spiritual gifts, or material provision.