Numbers 26:18

Authorized King James Version

These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֵ֛לֶּה
these or those
#2
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
These are the families
a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people
#3
בְּנֵֽי
of the children
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#4
גָ֖ד
of Gad
gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet
#5
לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם
according to those that were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#6
אַרְבָּעִ֥ים
of them forty
forty
#7
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#8
וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ
and five
five
#9
מֵאֽוֹת׃
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

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

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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