Numbers 3:22

Authorized King James Version

Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
פְּקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם
Those that were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#2
בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר
of them according to the number
a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration
#3
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#4
זָכָ֔ר
of all the males
properly, remembered, i.e., a male (of man or animals, as being the most noteworthy sex)
#5
מִבֶּן
old
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
#6
חֹ֖דֶשׁ
from a month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#7
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#8
פְּקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם
Those that were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#9
שִׁבְעַ֥ת
of them were seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#10
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#11
וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ
and five
five
#12
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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Numbers Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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