Numbers 1:22 - Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, those who were counted of it, according to the number of the names, one by one, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

Generated Verse: Numbers 1:22

What does "Numbers 1:22" mean?


This verse, Numbers 1:22, is part of a larger census being taken of the Israelites in the wilderness. It specifically focuses on the tribe of Simeon and describes the criteria used for counting them. Let's break it down:

"Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses...": This establishes that the following count pertains only to the descendants of Simeon, organized by their family lines and paternal lineage. This means people were counted based on their ancestry within the tribe of Simeon.

"...those who were counted of it, according to the number of the names, one by one...": This is the actual census. Each individual's name was recorded separately. The phrase "one by one" emphasizes the individual accountability and thoroughness of the count.

"...every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;": This sets the age limit and the primary reason for the census. Only men aged 20 and older were counted. The phrase "able to go out to war" indicates that the main purpose of this census was to assess the tribe's military strength. Those capable of fighting were the ones counted.

In essence, the verse means: The men of the tribe of Simeon were counted, clan by clan, based on their fathers' families. Each male, twenty years of age or older, who was fit for military service, was recorded by name for the purpose of assessing the tribe's fighting strength.

Significance in Context:

Military Readiness: This census was taken shortly after the Israelites left Egypt, as they were preparing to enter the Promised Land. Knowing their military strength was crucial for planning their conquest.

Tribal Organization: The meticulous record-keeping and organization by family lines reinforced the social structure and identity of each tribe.

Fulfillment of Prophecy: The act of counting the people could be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to make them a numerous nation.

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