Numbers 26:41

Authorized King James Version

These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אֵ֥לֶּה
these or those
#2
בְנֵֽי
These are the sons
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#3
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
of Benjamin
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
#4
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
after their 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
#5
וּפְקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם
and they that were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#6
חֲמִשָּׁ֧ה
and five
five
#7
וְאַרְבָּעִ֛ים
of them were forty
forty
#8
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#9
וְשֵׁ֥שׁ
and six
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
#10
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 Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.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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