Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

NUMBERS 1:23KJV
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Numbers 1:23 (KJV)

What does Numbers 1:23 mean?

Numbers 1:23 states that the number of men counted from the tribe of Simeon was 59,300. This verse is part of a census where each tribe’s eligible men for military service are being recorded.

In the book of Numbers, God instructs Moses to count the Israelite men who are able to go to war. Moses, with the help of tribal leaders, is listing the results for each tribe. Numbers 1:23 specifically records the total for Simeon, showing their significant size and role among the tribes at this moment in Israel’s journey.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 1:23

  • "numbered" (פָּקַד, paqad): This word means more than just counting; it often carries the sense of being appointed or enrolled for a specific purpose. Here, it emphasizes that these men are being set apart for military duty, not just counted for information.
  • "tribe" (מַטֶּה, matteh): This word refers to a branch or division of the people, highlighting the organizational structure of Israel by family groups.
  • "Simeon" (שִׁמְעוֹן, Shim‘on): The name means "heard" or "hearing," reminding readers that this tribe descends from Simeon, one of Jacob’s sons.
  • The numbers ("fifty" חֲמִשִּׁים, chamishim; "nine" תֵּשַׁע, tesha‘; "thousand" אֶלֶף, elef; "three" שָׁלוֹשׁ, shalosh; "hundred" מֵאָה, me’ah): The Hebrew lists numbers in descending order, which is a typical way of expressing large numbers in the Old Testament.

Why Numbers 1:23 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the size and strength of the tribe of Simeon at the time of the Exodus, which is important for understanding the social and military makeup of Israel.
  • By recording each tribe’s numbers, the passage shows the organized and communal nature of Israel’s society as they prepare for their journey and future challenges.
  • The census in Numbers 1 as a whole sets the stage for later events in the wilderness, where the roles and actions of each tribe, including Simeon, will become significant.

Where else these words appear

“Simeon” Hebrew H8095 · used in 39 verses

  • Genesis 29:33 And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.
  • Numbers 1:6 Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
  • Judges 1:3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So Simeon went with him.

“nine” Hebrew H8672 · used in 57 verses

  • Genesis 5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.
  • Deuteronomy 3:11 For only Og king of Bashan remained of the remnant of giants; behold, his bedstead was a bedstead of iron; is it not in Rabbath of the children of Ammon? nine cubits was the length thereof, and four cubits the breadth of it, after the cubit of a man.
  • 2 Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:

“fifty” Hebrew H2572 · used in 141 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • Numbers 4:35 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation:
  • 1 Chronicles 5:21 And they took away their cattle; of their camels fifty thousand, and of sheep two hundred and fifty thousand, and of asses two thousand, and of men an hundred thousand.