King James Version

What Does Numbers 2:32 Mean?

Numbers 2:32 in the King James Version says “These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbere...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.”

Numbers 2:32 · KJV

Context

30

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

31

All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards.

32

These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

33

But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.

34

And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.

Read Numbers 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The grand total (603,550) fulfills God's promise to Abraham of innumerable descendants 'as the stars of the heaven' (Genesis 15:5). From one man's faith grew a mighty nation in just four centuries, demonstrating God's power to multiply covenant blessings. This encourages faith that small beginnings—one believer, one family, one church—can grow mightily through God's blessing across generations.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This number represented only fighting-age males (20+), suggesting total population of 2-2.5 million including women, children, elderly, and Levites. Critics question whether the wilderness could support such numbers, but God's miraculous provision (manna, quail, water) sustained them for forty years.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the dramatic fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham encourage faith in His ability to fulfill seemingly impossible promises?
  2. What does Israel's exponential growth teach us about God's power to multiply what we dedicate to Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
אֵ֛לֶּה1 of 18
H428

these or those

פְּקוּדֵ֤י2 of 18

“These are those which were numbered”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

בְנֵֽי3 of 18

“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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל4 of 18

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לְבֵ֣ית5 of 18

“by the house”

H1004

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

אֲבֹתָ֑ם6 of 18

“of their fathers”

H1

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

כָּל7 of 18
H3605

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

פְּקוּדֵ֤י8 of 18

“These are those which were numbered”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

הַֽמַּחֲנֹת֙9 of 18

“of the camps”

H4264

an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal (of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars; or e

לְצִבְאֹתָ֔ם10 of 18

“throughout their hosts”

H6635

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

שֵׁשׁ11 of 18

“were six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

מֵא֖וֹת12 of 18

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֲלָפִ֔ים13 of 18

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וּשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת14 of 18

“and three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

אֲלָפִ֔ים15 of 18

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ16 of 18

“and five”

H2568

five

מֵא֖וֹת17 of 18

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וַֽחֲמִשִּֽׁים׃18 of 18

“and fifty”

H2572

fifty

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 2:32 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 2:32 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 1:46Exodus 38:26Exodus 12:37Numbers 2:9Numbers 11:21Numbers 26:51

Test Your Knowledge

Numbers 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterNumbers Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Numbers 2 with CommentaryAll Numbers ChaptersComplete Numbers QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes