Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.

NUMBERS 2:29KJV
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Numbers 2:29 (KJV)

What does Numbers 2:29 mean?

Numbers 2:29 names the tribe of Naphtali and identifies Ahira, son of Enan, as their leader or captain. This verse is part of a list assigning leaders to each tribe as the Israelites camped and traveled in the wilderness.

In the book of Numbers, God is giving Moses instructions about how the twelve tribes of Israel should organize themselves around the Tabernacle. Each tribe has a designated leader, and here, Naphtali’s leader is named as Ahira, the son of Enan. This arrangement helped keep order and structure among the people during their journey.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 2:29

  • "Tribe" (מַטֶּה, matteh, H4294) refers to a branch or division of the people, highlighting the organized structure of Israel’s community.
  • "Captain" (נָשִׂיא, nasi’, H5387) means a chief or leader, indicating Ahira’s recognized authority over the tribe of Naphtali.
  • "Children" (בֵּן, ben, H1121) is often used to mean "descendants" or "members," so "children of Naphtali" refers to all those belonging to that tribe.

Why Numbers 2:29 matters

  • Numbers 2:29 shows the careful organization of Israel’s camp, which was essential for managing such a large group during their travels.
  • By naming Ahira as the leader, the verse gives a sense of historical record and accountability, showing that each tribe had recognized leadership.
  • This verse connects to the broader passage where every tribe is listed with its leader, emphasizing unity and order among the Israelites as they followed God’s instructions.

Where else these words appear

“Ahira” Hebrew H299 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 1:15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.
  • Numbers 7:78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered:
  • Numbers 7:83 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 Ahira the son of Enan.

“Enan” Hebrew H5881 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 1:15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.
  • Numbers 7:78 On the twelfth day Ahira the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, offered:
  • Numbers 7:83 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 Ahira the son of Enan.

“Naphtali” Hebrew H5321 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 30:8 And Rachel said, With great wrestlings have I wrestled with my sister, and I have prevailed: and she called his name Naphtali.
  • Deuteronomy 33:23 And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south.
  • 1 Kings 15:20 So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.

“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.