Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.

NUMBERS 1:25KJV
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Numbers 1:25 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“Gad” Hebrew H1410 · used in 67 verses

  • Genesis 30:11 And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad.
  • Deuteronomy 33:20 And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.
  • 2 Samuel 24:5 And they passed over Jordan, and pitched in Aroer, on the right side of the city that lieth in the midst of the river of Gad, and toward Jazer:

“forty” Hebrew H705 · used in 124 verses

  • Genesis 5:13 And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters:
  • Deuteronomy 8:4 Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:36 And of Asher, such as went forth to battle, expert in war, forty thousand.

“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.