King James Version

What Does Numbers 1:40 Mean?

Numbers 1:40 in the King James Version says “Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the nu...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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;”

Numbers 1:40 · King James Version

Context

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;

41

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

42

Of the children of Naphtali, throughout 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
Asher's census demonstrates God's inclusion of even the less prominent tribes in His covenant administration. The tribe descended from Leah's handmaid Zilpah received the same careful enumeration and organization as tribes descended from Rachel or Leah directly. This equal treatment across varying family status prefigures the gospel's erasure of ethnic and social distinctions—in Christ there is 'neither Jew nor Greek, bond nor free' (Galatians 3:28), as God's electing grace operates independently of human hierarchies.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Asher received fertile coastal territory in northwest Canaan, including access to Mediterranean trade. Jacob's blessing promised that Asher's 'bread shall be fat, and he shall yield royal dainties' (Genesis 49:20), prophesying agricultural abundance that the tribe's territory provided.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the equal treatment of tribes regardless of maternal lineage illustrate that spiritual standing comes from God's grace, not human pedigree?
  2. What does this teach us about the radical equality of all believers in Christ, regardless of background?

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

אָשֵׁ֔ר2 of 15

“of Asher”

H836

asher, a son of jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also a place in palestine

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 1:40 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 1:40 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 46:27Genesis 49:20Genesis 30:12-13Numbers 26:44-47

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