Numbers 2:11 - His division, and those who were counted of it, were forty-six thousand five hundred.

Generated Verse: Numbers 2:11

What does "Numbers 2:11" mean?


Numbers 2:11 is part of a census and organizational description of the tribes of Israel as they were encamped around the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Let's break down what the verse means:

"His division...": This refers to a specific tribe of Israel and its associated family groups. In this case, based on the surrounding verses, it refers to the tribe of Asher.

"...and those who were counted of it...": This signifies a census or counting of all the men of Asher who were 20 years old or older and fit for military service.

"...were forty-six thousand five hundred.": This is the result of the census: there were 46,500 men of the tribe of Asher who met the criteria to be counted.

In essence, Numbers 2:11 states that the tribe of Asher, as counted by Moses and Aaron, consisted of 46,500 men eligible for military service.

Context and Significance:

Military Organization: This information was crucial for organizing the Israelite army for defense and potential conquest of the Promised Land. Each tribe was assigned a specific position in the camp and a military role.
Population Size: The census provides an insight into the relative strength and size of each tribe. Asher was one of the smaller tribes compared to others, such as Judah.
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Some scholars believe these numbers have implications related to the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham regarding the multitude of his descendants.
Historical Accuracy: Debates exist about the precise accuracy and interpretation of these large numbers. Some suggest alternative interpretations of the Hebrew words used for "thousand" or that the numbers could represent family units rather than individuals.

Regardless of the specific interpretation, the verse is a straightforward declaration of the number of men counted from the tribe of Asher for military purposes as part of the broader census in the Book of Numbers.

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