Numbers 1:34 - Of the children of Manasseh, their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

Generated Verse: Numbers 1:34

What does "Numbers 1:34" mean?


This verse is part of a census being taken of the Israelites in the Book of Numbers, specifically focusing on the tribe of Manasseh. Let's break it down:

"Of the children of Manasseh, their generations..." This establishes that the following information pertains specifically to the descendants of Manasseh, one of the twelve sons of Joseph.

"...by their families, by their fathers’ houses..." The census is organized by family units, tracing lineage back to the "father's house" - essentially, the patriarchal head of a clan or extended family. This shows the tribal structure and organization of the Israelites.

"...according to the number of the names..." The census is counting individuals, recording each person by name.

"...from twenty years old and upward..." Only men aged 20 or older are being counted.

"...all who were able to go out to war;" The key criterion for inclusion in this census is military eligibility. Only men fit to fight are being counted. This suggests the census's primary purpose is to determine the military strength of the tribe of Manasseh.

In summary, Numbers 1:34 describes a count of all men in the tribe of Manasseh, aged 20 and above, organized by family lines, who are fit for military service. This census is crucial for determining the potential fighting force available to the Israelite nation.

The verse highlights several important aspects of Israelite society at the time:

Patriarchal Structure: Society is organized around families and the "father's house."
Military Readiness: The focus on men of fighting age emphasizes the importance of military strength.
Tribal Identity: Individuals are identified by their tribe (Manasseh) and family lineage.
Organizational Focus: The Israelites were organizing themselves in a structured way, implying an element of planning.

This kind of census was very common at the time in many ancient civilizations.

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