Numbers 1:4
Numbers 1:4 in Multiple Translations
And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you.
And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.
And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of his fathers’ house.
And to give you help, take one man from every tribe, the head of his father's house.
A representative from each tribe, the head of a family, must be there with you.
And with you shalbe men of euery tribe, such as are the heads of the house of their fathers.
and with you there is a man for a tribe, each is a head to the house of his fathers.
With you there shall be a man of every tribe, each one head of his fathers’ house.
And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.
And there shall be with you the princes of the tribes, and of the houses in their kindreds,
I have chosen one man from each of the tribes to help you to do this. Each one will be a leader of his clan.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 1:4
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Numbers 1:4 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 1:4
Study Notes — Numbers 1:4
- Context
- Cross References
- Numbers 1:4 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Numbers 1:4
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 1:4
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 1:4
- Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 1:4
- Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 1:4
- Cambridge Bible on Numbers 1:4
- Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 1:4
- Sermons on Numbers 1:4
Context — The First Census of Israel
4And one man from each tribe, the head of each family, must be there with you.
5These are the names of the men who are to assist you: From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur son of Shedeur; 6from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai;Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Numbers 1:16 | These men were appointed from the congregation; they were the leaders of the tribes of their fathers, the heads of the clans of Israel. |
| 2 | Exodus 18:25 | So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. |
| 3 | Numbers 13:2–15 | “Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.” So at the consent of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites, and these were their names: From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur; from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori; from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh; from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph; from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun; from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu; from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi; from the tribe of Manasseh (a tribe of Joseph), Gaddi son of Susi; from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli; from the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael; from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi; and from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi. |
| 4 | Numbers 34:18–28 | Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land. These are their names: Caleb son of Jephunneh from the tribe of Judah; Shemuel son of Ammihud from the tribe of Simeon; Elidad son of Chislon from the tribe of Benjamin; Bukki son of Jogli, a leader from the tribe of Dan; Hanniel son of Ephod, a leader from the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph; Kemuel son of Shiphtan, a leader from the tribe of Ephraim; Eli-zaphan son of Parnach, a leader from the tribe of Zebulun; Paltiel son of Azzan, a leader from the tribe of Issachar; Ahihud son of Shelomi, a leader from the tribe of Asher; and Pedahel son of Ammihud, a leader from the tribe of Naphtali.” |
| 5 | Joshua 22:14 | With him they sent ten chiefs—one family leader from each tribe of Israel, each the head of a family among the clans of Israel. |
| 6 | Numbers 10:14–27 | First, the divisions of the camp of Judah set out under their standard, with Nahshon son of Amminadab in command. Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe of Issachar, and Eliab son of Helon was over the division of the tribe of Zebulun. Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it. Then the divisions of the camp of Reuben set out under their standard, with Elizur son of Shedeur in command. Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon, and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad. Then the Kohathites set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival. Next, the divisions of the camp of Ephraim set out under their standard, with Elishama son of Ammihud in command. Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh, and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin. Finally, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard, serving as the rear guard for all units, with Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai in command. Pagiel son of Ocran was over the division of the tribe of Asher, and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali. |
| 7 | Numbers 7:10–83 | When the altar was anointed, the leaders approached with their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar. And the LORD said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to present his offering for the dedication of the altar.” On the first day Nahshon son of Amminadab from the tribe of Judah drew near with his offering. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab. On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, drew near. The offering he presented was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar. On the third day Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the Zebulunites, drew near. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon. On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the Reubenites, drew near. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur. On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the Simeonites, drew near. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the Gadites, drew near. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel. On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the Ephraimites, drew near. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud. On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the Manassites, drew near. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur. On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, the leader of the Benjamites, drew near. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni. On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the Danites, drew near. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai. On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran, the leader of the Asherites, drew near. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Ocran. On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the Naphtalites, drew near. His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; one male goat for a sin offering; and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan. |
| 8 | Deuteronomy 1:15 | So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes. |
| 9 | Exodus 18:21 | Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. |
| 10 | 1 Chronicles 27:1–22 | This is the list of the Israelites—the heads of families, the commanders of thousands and of hundreds, and their officers who served the king in every matter concerning the divisions on rotating military duty each month throughout the year. There were 24,000 men in each division: Jashobeam son of Zabdiel was in charge of the first division, which was assigned the first month. There were 24,000 men in his division. He was a descendant of Perez and chief of all the army commanders for the first month. Dodai the Ahohite was in charge of the division for the second month, and Mikloth was the leader. There were 24,000 men in his division. The third army commander, as chief for the third month, was Benaiah son of Jehoiada the priest. There were 24,000 men in his division. This Benaiah was mighty among the Thirty and was over the Thirty, and his son Ammizabad was in charge of his division. The fourth, for the fourth month, was Joab’s brother Asahel, and his son Zebadiah was commander after him. There were 24,000 men in his division. The fifth, for the fifth month, was the commander Shamhuth the Izrahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The sixth, for the sixth month, was Ira son of Ikkesh the Tekoite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The seventh, for the seventh month, was Helez the Pelonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The eighth, for the eighth month, was Sibbecai the Hushathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The ninth, for the ninth month, was Abiezer the Anathothite, a Benjamite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The tenth, for the tenth month, was Maharai the Netophathite, a Zerahite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The eleventh, for the eleventh month, was Benaiah the Pirathonite, an Ephraimite. There were 24,000 men in his division. The twelfth, for the twelfth month, was Heldai the Netophathite, from the family of Othniel. There were 24,000 men in his division. These officers were in charge of the tribes of Israel: Over the Reubenites was Eliezer son of Zichri; over the Simeonites was Shephatiah son of Maacah; over Levi was Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron was Zadok; over Judah was Elihu, one of David’s brothers; over Issachar was Omri son of Michael; over Zebulun was Ishmaiah son of Obadiah; over Naphtali was Jerimoth son of Azriel; over the Ephraimites was Hoshea son of Azaziah; over one of the half-tribes of Manasseh was Joel son of Pedaiah; over the half-tribe of Manasseh in Gilead was Iddo son of Zechariah; over Benjamin was Jaasiel son of Abner; and over Dan was Azarel son of Jeroham. These were the leaders of the tribes of Israel. |
Numbers 1:4 Summary
This verse is saying that one important person from each tribe needs to be with Moses when he is counting all the people. This person is like a leader of their family, and they help make sure everything is fair and accurate. This is similar to how God instructed Moses to gather leaders in Exodus 18:13-27 to help govern the people. By having these leaders present, God is showing us that He values organization, leadership, and community, and that He often works through human leaders to accomplish His purposes, as seen in Numbers 1:1-4 and Deuteronomy 1:9-18.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was it necessary for one man from each tribe to be present with Moses?
This was necessary to ensure that each tribe was represented and that the census was conducted fairly and accurately, as instructed in Numbers 1:2-3, similar to the way God instructed Moses to gather leaders in Exodus 18:13-27 for the purpose of governing the people.
What was the role of the head of each family in the census?
The head of each family was responsible for providing information about their family members, as seen in Numbers 1:2, and this role was similar to the way heads of households were responsible for their families in other biblical contexts, such as in Joshua 7:14-18.
How does this verse relate to the broader theme of leadership in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of leadership and representation in the biblical narrative, as seen in other passages such as Genesis 49:1-28, where Jacob gathers his sons to bless them and give them instructions, and Deuteronomy 1:9-18, where Moses appoints leaders to assist him in governing the people.
What can we learn from the fact that God instructed Moses to gather these leaders?
We can learn that God values organization, leadership, and community, as seen in Numbers 1:1-4, and that He often works through human leaders to accomplish His purposes, as seen in passages like Numbers 27:16-23 and Isaiah 1:10-17.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach us about the importance of representation and fairness in our communities?
- How can we apply the principle of gathering leaders to make important decisions in our own lives and churches?
- What role do you think the head of each family played in the spiritual lives of their family members, and how can we apply this to our own families?
- How does this verse relate to the biblical theme of the 'priesthood of all believers', as seen in 1 Peter 2:9-10?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 1:4
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 1:4
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Numbers 1:4
Trapp's Commentary on Numbers 1:4
Ellicott's Commentary on Numbers 1:4
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 1:4
Whedon's Commentary on Numbers 1:4
Sermons on Numbers 1:4
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Joshua Redivivus by Alexander Whyte | Alexander Whyte preaches about Samuel Rutherford, a spy and pioneer for God's people, who was chosen to experience banishment and exile in Aberdeen, to bring back a report of that |
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Nahshon by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the book of Numbers in the Bible and the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. The speaker highlights the tragic nature |
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(Through the Bible) Exodus 16-18 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a genuine fear of God and the accountability that comes with being a teacher of the Word. He shares his personal str |
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The Meaning of Head in the Bible by Wayne Grudem | In this sermon transcript, the speaker discusses the importance of citing references in a way that makes them difficult to locate. He emphasizes that evangelical scholarship should |
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If My People - Part 1 by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics and recapturing the prophetic zeal in churches. It highlights the impact of the Johnson Amendment on church |
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Give Me More, Give Me More - Part 1 by Steve Mays | In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays discusses the issue of coveting and its impact on society. He emphasizes that the greed and covetousness of individuals and nations are causing co |
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Keeping the Flock by Samuel Logan Brengle | Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the vital role of soul-winners in nurturing and maintaining the faith of their converts, drawing parallels to Paul's dedication in strengthening bel |







