Numbers 1:38

The Number of Every Tribe · Numbers 1:17–46
Read Numbers 1

Translations

Modern
From the sons of Dan, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,
Traditional
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;
Literal
From the sons of Dan, their genealogies, by their clans, by the house of their fathers, by the number of names, from a son of twenty years and above, everyone going out to the host,
Latin
De filiis Dan per generationes et familias ac domos cognationum suarum recensiti sunt nominibus singulorum a vigesimo anno et supra, omnes qui poterant ad bella procedere,

Original

Hebrew
English
From the sons of Dan, according to the records of their clans and families, counting the names of all those twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,

Notes

The second list of tribes lists Gad with Reuben and Simeon. These two tribes camped with Gad while Israel traveled.

The count of 603,550 shows the same number of qualified men as mentioned in Exodus 38:26. Exodus 12:37 and Numbers 11:21 give an approximate number of 600,000.

People have interpreted these numbers in different ways:

  • The numbers might show the actual size of this army (see Exodus 1:9–10).

  • The numbers might be symbolic. A later editor might have estimated, or might have misunderstood while translating.

See also study note on Exodus 12:37.

Places

Dan: Israelite tribe; city in northern Israel; originally called Laish/Leshem

Glossary

Deuteronomy, Book of Genealogy Numbers, Book of Tribe of Dan

Topics

Israel: Number of, at Sinai, by Tribes Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Sinai: Second Numbering of the People the Tribe of Dan: Strength of, on Leaving Egypt