Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.
NUMBERS 1:25KJVWhat does Numbers 1:25 mean?
Numbers 1:25 states that the tribe of Gad had 45,650 men who were counted in the census. This number refers specifically to those eligible for military service, according to the instructions given to Moses.
In this verse, God has instructed Moses to count the men from each tribe of Israel who are able to go to war. The tribe of Gad is one of the twelve tribes, and this verse records the total number of their fighting men. This census is part of organizing the Israelites as they prepare to travel through the wilderness toward the Promised Land.
The Hebrew behind Numbers 1:25
- "numbered" (פָּקַד, pāqad): This word means to count, appoint, or muster. In this context, it refers to the formal counting of men for military readiness, not just a general headcount.
- "tribe" (מַטֶּה, matteh): This word means a branch, staff, or tribe. Here, it identifies the specific family group within Israel being counted.
- "Gad" (גָּד, Gad): This is the name of one of Jacob’s sons and the tribe descended from him, highlighting their distinct identity among the Israelites.
- The numbers ("forty" אַרְבָּעִים, arba‘im; "five" חָמֵשׁ, chamesh; "thousand" אֶלֶף, eleph; "six" שֵׁשׁ, shesh; "hundred" מֵאָה, me’ah; "fifty" חֲמִשִּׁים, chamishim): These words show the exactness and care in recording each tribe’s strength, emphasizing the organization and seriousness of the census.
Why Numbers 1:25 matters
- This verse shows the careful organization and preparation of the Israelites as a community, especially for defense and travel.
- The specific count for Gad highlights the importance of each tribe’s contribution and identity within the whole nation.
- Seeing the numbers for each tribe helps readers understand the scale of the Israelite community and the seriousness of their journey and mission.