King James Version

What Does Numbers 1:38 Mean?

Numbers 1:38 in the King James Version says “Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the numb...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Of the children of Dan, 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 1:38 · KJV

Context

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;

37

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

38

Of the children of Dan, 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;

39

Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

40

Of the children of Asher, 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
Dan's census continues the methodical record of God's covenant people, maintaining the same genealogical precision for every tribe regardless of their later history. God's thorough documentation of Dan, despite the tribe's subsequent apostasy, demonstrates His common grace and providential care even for those who will ultimately prove unfaithful. This sobering reality warns against presumption while also revealing God's patience and long-suffering toward His people.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Dan's original territory lay in the coastal lowlands, but pressure from the Philistines drove the tribe to migrate north, where they conquered Laish and established a rival worship center (Judges 18). This migration began Dan's trajectory toward apostasy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's careful organization of Dan despite their future apostasy warn us against presuming on divine grace?
  2. What does this teach us about the tragedy of squandering spiritual privileges and covenant status?

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

דָ֔ן2 of 15

“of Dan”

H1835

dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them

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

שֵׁמֹ֗ת8 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 1:38 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 1:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 46:23Genesis 49:16-17Numbers 26:42-43Genesis 30:5-6

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