King James Version

What Does Numbers 1:34 Mean?

Numbers 1:34 in the King James Version says “Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;”

Numbers 1:34 · KJV

Context

32

Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

33

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.

34

Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

35

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.

36

Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Manasseh's census, like Ephraim's, reflects Joseph's double portion through his sons. The tribe's division into eastern and western components (Numbers 32:33; Joshua 17:1-2) created unique circumstances, with half the tribe separated by the Jordan River. This geographic division would later prove problematic, illustrating the danger of fragmenting God's people. The unity of Christ's body must be jealously guarded, as division weakens witness and invites spiritual compromise.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Half of Manasseh settled east of the Jordan with Gad and Reuben (Numbers 32:33), while the other half received territory west of the Jordan in Canaan proper. This unusual arrangement created challenges for tribal cohesion and identity.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Manasseh's division across the Jordan River warn against allowing secondary matters to fragment God's people?
  2. What does this teach us about the importance of maintaining unity in the body of Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
מִבֶּ֨ן1 of 15

“Of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מְנַשֶּׁ֔ה2 of 15

“of Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

תּֽוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם3 of 15

“by their generations”

H8435

(plural only) descent, i.e., family; (figuratively) history

לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם4 of 15

“after their families”

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

לְבֵ֣ית5 of 15

“by the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

אֲבֹתָ֑ם6 of 15

“of their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

בְּמִסְפַּ֣ר7 of 15

“according to the number”

H4557

a number, definite (arithmetical) or indefinite (large, innumerable; small, a few); also (abstractly) narration

שֵׁמ֗וֹת8 of 15

“of the names”

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

מִבֶּ֨ן9 of 15

“Of the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

עֶשְׂרִ֤ים10 of 15

“from twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

שָׁנָה֙11 of 15

“years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וָמַ֔עְלָה12 of 15

“and upward”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

כֹּ֖ל13 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יֹצֵ֥א14 of 15

“all that were able to go forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

צָבָֽא׃15 of 15

“to war”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 1:34 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 1:34 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 26:28-34

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