Numbers 1:32

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 1:32 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Of the children of Joseph, [namely], of the children of Ephraim, their generations, by their families, by their fathers` houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Of the children of Joseph, [namely], of the children of Ephraim, their generations, by their families, by their fathers` houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Numbers 1:32 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
32Of the children of Joseph, [namely], of the children of Ephraim, their generations, by their families, by their fathers` houses, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Of the children of Joseph, [namely], of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, etc.] (See Gill on “<040120>Numbers 1:20”).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The enrollment, being taken principally for military purposes (compare Numbers 1:3, Numbers 1:20), would naturally be arranged by hundreds, fifties, etc. (cf. 2Ki 1:9, 2 Kings 1:11, 2 Kings 1:13). In eleven tribes the number enrolled consists of complete hundreds. The difference, in this respect, observable in the case of the tribe of Gad here Numbers 1:25, and of the tribe of Reuben at the later census Numbers 26:7, is probably to be accounted for by the pastoral, and consequently nomadic, habits of these tribes, which rendered it difficult to bring all their members together at once for a census. Judah already takes precedence of his brethren in point of numbers (compare Genesis 49:8…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Num 2:18, Num 2:19, Num 26:35-37; Gen 30:24, 37:1-36, 39:1-23, Gen 46:20, 48:1-22; Gen 49:22-26; Deu 33:17 Numbers 1:33”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification