Numbers 26:4

Authorized King James Version

Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּבְנֵ֣י
and 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
#2
עֶשְׂרִ֥ים
Take the sum of the people from twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#3
שָׁנָ֖ה
years
a year (as a revolution of time)
#4
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#5
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
צִוָּ֨ה
commanded
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#7
יְהוָ֤ה
as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#9
מֹשֶׁה֙
Moses
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
#10
וּבְנֵ֣י
and 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
#11
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#12
הַיֹּֽצְאִ֖ים
which went forth
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#13
מֵאֶ֥רֶץ
out of the land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#14
מִצְרָֽיִם׃
of Egypt
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

Analysis

Within the broader context of Numbers, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Numbers.

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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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