Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.

NUMBERS 2:14KJV
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Numbers 2:14 (KJV)

What does Numbers 2:14 mean?

Numbers 2:14 states that the tribe of Gad was to be led by Eliasaph, the son of Reuel, as their captain during the organization of the Israelite camp. This verse identifies the leader responsible for guiding the descendants of Gad as they traveled and camped in the wilderness.

In the context of Numbers 2, God is instructing Moses on how the Israelites should arrange themselves by tribes around the tabernacle during their journey through the desert. Each tribe has a designated leader, and here, Gad’s leader is named specifically. This helps establish order and clear leadership among the people as they prepare to move together as a nation.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 2:14

  • גָּד (Gad, H1410): This is the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob’s son Gad. Mentioning Gad here situates the tribe among the larger community and highlights its distinct identity.
  • נָשִׂיא (nasi’, H5387): Translated as "captain" in the KJV, this word more often means "leader" or "chief." It emphasizes that Eliasaph held a recognized position of authority over the tribe, not just a military role.
  • אֶלִיאָסָף (Eliasaph, H460): This is the personal name of Gad’s leader. Naming him gives a personal touch and accountability to the leadership structure.
  • רְעוּאֵל (Reuel, H7467): This is Eliasaph’s father’s name, which was a common way in ancient Israel to identify individuals and their family lineage, reinforcing the importance of heritage and continuity.

Why Numbers 2:14 matters

  • Numbers 2:14 clarifies the specific leadership structure God set for the Israelites, showing that each tribe had a designated leader, which helped maintain order during their journey.
  • The verse connects Gad’s leadership to a particular family line, underlining the importance of ancestry and continuity in Israelite society.
  • By listing each tribe’s leader, the passage as a whole highlights the unity and organization required for the Israelites to function as a large, mobile community in the wilderness.

Where else these words appear

“Eliasaph” Hebrew H460 · used in 6 verses

  • Numbers 1:14 Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
  • Numbers 3:24 And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.
  • Numbers 7:47 And for a sacrifice of peace offerings, two oxen, five rams, five he goats, five lambs of the first year: this was the offering of Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

“Reuel” Hebrew H7467 · used in 10 verses

  • Genesis 36:4 And Adah bare to Esau Eliphaz; and Bashemath bare Reuel;
  • Genesis 36:17 And these are the sons of Reuel Esau's son; duke Nahath, duke Zerah, duke Shammah, duke Mizzah: these are the dukes that came of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Bashemath Esau's wife.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:35 The sons of Esau; Eliphaz, Reuel, and Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah.

“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:

“captain” Hebrew H5387 · used in 120 verses

  • Genesis 17:20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.
  • Numbers 7:60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, offered:
  • 2 Chronicles 5:2 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.