Numbers 1:38 - Of the children of Dan, 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;
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What does "Numbers 1:38" mean?
This verse is part of a census taken in the Book of Numbers, specifically focused on the tribe of Dan. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"Of the children of Dan...": This indicates that the following information pertains specifically to the descendants of Dan, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) and, therefore, one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
"...their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses...": This specifies the criteria used for organizing and counting the people.
Generations: Descendants across generations.
Families: Immediate family units.
Fathers’ houses: Extended family or clans, tracing lineage back to a common male ancestor. This was a patriarchal society, so ancestry was traced through the father's line.
"...according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward...": This sets the criteria for who was counted. The census takers counted individuals by name, starting with those twenty years old or older.
"...all who were able to go out to war;": This explains why this particular demographic was being counted. It was a military census. Only men of fighting age were included. The purpose was to know the strength of the army that could be mustered from the tribe of Dan.
In simpler terms, the verse means:
"This is a count of all the male descendants of Dan, organized by family and clan. We counted everyone aged 20 and older who was fit to fight in the army, and we did so by counting each individual by name."
Significance:
Military Strength: The primary purpose was to determine the military strength of the tribe of Dan, contributing to the overall strength of the Israelite army.
Organization: It demonstrates the organized structure of the Israelite society, based on family and clan ties.
Divine Command: The census was commanded by God, highlighting its religious significance and the importance of obedience.
Land Allocation: These numbers were also relevant to the later allocation of land in Canaan. The size of the tribe was a factor in determining the territory they received.
So, this single verse provides a snapshot of the tribal organization, military preparedness, and obedience to divine command within the early Israelite community. It sets the stage for understanding the power dynamics and responsibilities of the tribe of Dan within the larger Israelite nation.
Numbers 1:38 - Of the children of Dan, 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;
What does "Numbers 1:38" mean?
This verse is part of a census taken in the Book of Numbers, specifically focused on the tribe of Dan. Let's break it down phrase by phrase:
"Of the children of Dan...": This indicates that the following information pertains specifically to the descendants of Dan, one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Israel) and, therefore, one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
"...their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses...": This specifies the criteria used for organizing and counting the people.
Generations: Descendants across generations.
Families: Immediate family units.
Fathers’ houses: Extended family or clans, tracing lineage back to a common male ancestor. This was a patriarchal society, so ancestry was traced through the father's line.
"...according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward...": This sets the criteria for who was counted. The census takers counted individuals by name, starting with those twenty years old or older.
"...all who were able to go out to war;": This explains why this particular demographic was being counted. It was a military census. Only men of fighting age were included. The purpose was to know the strength of the army that could be mustered from the tribe of Dan.
In simpler terms, the verse means:
"This is a count of all the male descendants of Dan, organized by family and clan. We counted everyone aged 20 and older who was fit to fight in the army, and we did so by counting each individual by name."
Significance:
Military Strength: The primary purpose was to determine the military strength of the tribe of Dan, contributing to the overall strength of the Israelite army.
Organization: It demonstrates the organized structure of the Israelite society, based on family and clan ties.
Divine Command: The census was commanded by God, highlighting its religious significance and the importance of obedience.
Land Allocation: These numbers were also relevant to the later allocation of land in Canaan. The size of the tribe was a factor in determining the territory they received.
So, this single verse provides a snapshot of the tribal organization, military preparedness, and obedience to divine command within the early Israelite community. It sets the stage for understanding the power dynamics and responsibilities of the tribe of Dan within the larger Israelite nation.