Numbers 4:36

Authorized King James Version

And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיִּֽהְי֥וּ
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
פְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֖ם
And those that were numbered
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
#3
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
of them by 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
#4
אַלְפַּ֕יִם
were two thousand
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#5
שְׁבַ֥ע
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#6
מֵא֖וֹת
hundred
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#7
וַֽחֲמִשִּֽׁים׃
and fifty
fifty

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

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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