Numbers 1:22
New International Version
From the descendants of Simeon: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were counted and listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families.

New Living Translation
Simeon 59,300

English Standard Version
Of the people of Simeon, their generations, by their clans, by their fathers’ houses, those of them who were listed, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go to war:

Berean Standard Bible
From the sons of Simeon, according to the records of their clans and families, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,

Berean Literal Bible
From the sons of Simeon, according to their genealogies, by their clans, by the house of their fathers, numbered by the number of names individually, every male from a son of twenty years and above, everyone going out to the host,

King James Bible
Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

New King James Version
From the children of Simeon, their genealogies by their families, by their fathers’ house, of those who were numbered, according to the number of names, every male individually, from twenty years old and above, all who were able to go to war:

New American Standard Bible
Of the sons of Simeon, their descendants by their families, by their fathers’ households, their numbered men, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go to war,

NASB 1995
Of the sons of Simeon, their genealogical registration by their families, by their fathers’ households, their numbered men, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go out to war,

NASB 1977
Of the sons of Simeon, their genealogical registration by their families, by their fathers’ households, their numbered men, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go out to war,

Legacy Standard Bible
Of the sons of Simeon, their genealogical registration by their families, by their fathers’ households, their numbered men, according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, whoever was able to go out to war,

Amplified Bible
Of the sons of Simeon, their descendants, by their families (clans), by their fathers’ households, their numbered men according to the number of names, head by head, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go to war:

Berean Annotated Bible
From the sons of Simeon (heard), according to the records of their clans and families, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,

Christian Standard Bible
The descendants of Simeon: according to their family records by their clans and their ancestral families, those registered counting one by one the names of every male twenty years old or more, everyone who could serve in the army,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The descendants of Simeon: according to their family records by their clans and their ancestral houses, those registered counting one by one the names of every male 20 years old or more, everyone who could serve in the army,

American Standard Version
Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, those that were numbered thereof, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

English Revised Version
Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, those that were numbered thereof, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The roster of families and households for the descendants of [Simeon] registered and listed every man by name who was at least 20 years old and eligible for military duty.

International Standard Version
The genealogies of Simeon's descendants were recorded individually, according to their tribes and ancestral houses, as were the names of all the men 20 years and above who could serve in the army.

NET Bible
From the descendants of Simeon: According to the records of their clans and families, all the males numbered of them twenty years old or older who could serve in the army were listed by name individually.

New Heart English Bible
Of the descendants of Simeon, their generations, according to their families, by their fathers' houses, those who were numbered of it, according to the number of the names, one by one, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war;

Webster's Bible Translation
Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
Majority Text Translations
Majority Standard Bible
From the sons of Simeon, according to the records of their clans and families, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,

World English Bible
Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, those who were counted of it, according to the number of the names, one by one, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war:
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Of the sons of Simeon—their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, its numbered ones in the number of names, by their counted heads, every male from a son of twenty years and upward, everyone going out to the host—

Berean Literal Bible
From the sons of Simeon, according to their genealogies, by their clans, by the house of their fathers, numbered by the number of names individually, every male from a son of twenty years and above, everyone going out to the host,

Young's Literal Translation
Of the sons of Simeon -- their births, by their families, by the house of their fathers, its numbered ones in the number of names, by their polls, every male from a son of twenty years and upward, every one going out to the host --

Smith's Literal Translation
For the sons of Simeon, their generations according to their families, according to the house of their fathers, they being reviewed according to the number of names, according to their heads, every male from the son of twenty years and above, all going forth to war.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Of the sons of Simeon by their generations and families, and houses of their kindreds, were reckoned up by the names and heads of every one, all that were of the male sex, from twenty years old and upward, that were able to go forth to war,

Catholic Public Domain Version
Of the sons of Simeon, by their generations and families, and the houses of their kinships, having been counted by the names and heads of each one, of all who were of the male sex, from twenty years and above, capable of going to war,

New American Bible
Of the descendants of Simeon, registered individually by name and lineage according to their clans and ancestral houses, every male of twenty years or more, everyone fit for military service:

New Revised Standard Version
The descendants of Simeon, their lineage, in their clans, by their ancestral houses, those of them that were numbered, according to the number of names, individually, every male from twenty years old and upward, everyone able to go to war:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go forth to war in Israel;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the sons of Shemon in their families for their tribes, for the house of their fathers in the number of the names, every male for their Leaders, of a son of twenty years and above, everyone who goes out in the army in Israel.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Of the children of Simeon, their generations, by their families, by their fathers' houses, those that were numbered thereof, according to the number of names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the children of Symeon according to their kindreds, according to their divisions, according to the houses of their families, according to the number of their names, according to their polls, all males from twenty years old and upward, every one that goes out with the host,

Additional Translations ...



Context
The Number of Every Tribe
21those registered to the tribe of Reuben numbered 46,500. 22From the sons of Simeon, according to the records of their clans and families, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army, 23those registered to the tribe of Simeon numbered 59,300.…

Cross References
From the sons of Simeon,

Genesis 46:10
The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanite woman.

Exodus 6:15
The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman. These were the clans of Simeon.

1 Chronicles 4:24
The descendants of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul.
according to the records of their clans and families,

Numbers 26:2
“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.”

Numbers 3:15
“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.”

1 Chronicles 9:1
So all Israel was recorded in the genealogies written in the Book of the Kings of Israel. But Judah was exiled to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness.
counting one by one the names

1 Chronicles 4:41
These who were noted by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah. They attacked the Hamites in their dwellings as well as the Meunites who were there, devoting them to destruction even to this day. Then they settled in their place, because there was pasture for their flocks.

Ezra 8:20
They also brought 220 of the temple servants, all designated by name. David and the officials had appointed them to assist the Levites.

1 Chronicles 12:31
From the half-tribe of Manasseh: 18,000 designated by name to come and make David king.
of every male twenty years of age or older

Exodus 30:14
Everyone twenty years of age or older who crosses over must give this offering to the LORD.

Numbers 32:11
‘Because they did not follow Me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years of age or older who came out of Egypt will see the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—

Numbers 14:29
Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me.
who could serve in the army,

2 Chronicles 25:5
Then Amaziah gathered the people of Judah and assigned them according to their families to commanders of thousands and of hundreds. And he numbered those twenty years of age or older throughout Judah and Benjamin and found 300,000 chosen men able to serve in the army, bearing the spear and shield.

Numbers 31:3
So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them.

1 Chronicles 5:18
The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had 44,760 warriors—valiant men who carried the shield and sword, drew the bow, and were trained for battle.
Genesis 46:13
The sons of Issachar: Tola, Puvah, Job, and Shimron.


Treasury of Scripture

Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Numbers 2:12,13
And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai…

Numbers 26:12-14
The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites: …

Genesis 29:33
And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard that I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon.

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Able Children Families Fathers Forth Generations House Houses Male Names Numbered Polls Simeon Thereof Twenty Upward War
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Able Children Families Fathers Forth Generations House Houses Male Names Numbered Polls Simeon Thereof Twenty Upward War
Numbers 1
1. God commands Moses to number the people
5. The princes of the tribes
17. The number of every tribe
47. The Levites are exempted for the service of the Lord












From the sons of Simeon,

Simeon descended from Jacob’s second son by Leah. Jacob condemned Simeon’s violence at Shechem and foretold that Simeon would be scattered in Israel (Genesis 34:25–30; 49:5–7). Simeon’s later inheritance lay within Judah’s territory, and the tribe gradually became closely associated with Judah.

Gen 46:10 The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar…
Exo 6:15 The sons of Simeon were Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad…
1Ch 4:24 The descendants of Simeon: Nemuel, Jamin, Jarib…

according to the records of their clans and families,

Israel’s tribal order preserved family identity, inheritance rights, and covenant continuity. The census recognized that God’s promises to Abraham were being fulfilled through identifiable descendants, not an undefined population.

Num 26:2 Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel…
Num 3:15 Number the Levites by their families and clans.…
1Ch 9:1 So all Israel was recorded in the genealogies…

counting one by one the names

The enrollment was careful and personal. Each eligible man belonged to a household, clan, tribe, and nation, yet stood accountable before the Lord as an individual participant in Israel’s calling.

1Ch 4:41 These who were noted by name came in the days of Hezekiah……
Ezr 8:20 They also brought 220 of the temple servants,…
1Ch 12:31 From the half-tribe of Manasseh: 18,000…

of every male twenty years of age or older

Twenty marked the age at which an Israelite man was counted among those responsible for the defense of the congregation. The same age appears in the required census offering and in the judgment upon the unbelieving generation in the wilderness (Exodus 30:14; Numbers 14:29).

Exo 30:14 Everyone twenty years of age or older…
Num 32:11 Because they did not follow Me wholeheartedly,…
Num 14:29 Your bodies will fall in this wilderness…

who could serve in the army,

Israel’s army was not merely a national force but the Lord’s appointed means for protecting His people and taking possession of the land He had promised. Military readiness required obedience and faith, since Israel’s victories ultimately depended upon the Lord’s presence rather than human strength. Believers likewise are called to stand faithfully in the spiritual conflict described in Ephesians 6:10–18.

2Ch 25:5 Then Amaziah gathered the people of Judah…
Num 31:3 So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war,…
1Ch 5:18 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Simeon
Simeon was the second son of Jacob and Leah. The tribe of Simeon descended from him and was one of the twelve tribes of Israel. In this context, the tribe is being counted for military purposes.

2. Genealogies
This refers to the recorded lineage of the tribe of Simeon, emphasizing the importance of family heritage and identity within the Israelite community.

3. Clans and Families
The tribe of Simeon was organized into smaller family units, which were further divided into clans. This structure was crucial for maintaining order and identity within the tribe.

4. Military Census
The event described is a census of the Israelite men eligible for military service, specifically those aged twenty and older. This was part of a larger census commanded by God to organize the Israelites for their journey and conquest of the Promised Land.

5. Wilderness of Sinai
The census took place in the wilderness of Sinai, a significant location where the Israelites received the Law and were prepared for entering the Promised Land.
Teaching Points
Importance of Identity and Heritage
Understanding our spiritual heritage is crucial for our identity as believers. Just as the Israelites were organized by clans and families, Christians are part of a spiritual family with a rich history in Christ.

Preparedness for Spiritual Battle
The census for military service reminds us of the need to be prepared for spiritual battles. Ephesians 6:10-18 encourages believers to put on the full armor of God, emphasizing readiness and vigilance.

Obedience to God's Commands
The Israelites' obedience in conducting the census as commanded by God highlights the importance of following God's instructions in our lives. Obedience leads to order and blessing.

Community and Accountability
The organization of the tribes into clans and families underscores the value of community and accountability. Believers are called to live in community, supporting and encouraging one another in faith.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1. What is the meaning of Numbers 1:22?

2. How does Numbers 1:22 emphasize the importance of organized community in God's plan?

3. What role does tribal leadership play in maintaining order according to Numbers 1:22?

4. How can we apply the principle of accountability from Numbers 1:22 today?

5. In what ways does Numbers 1:22 connect to the broader theme of obedience in Scripture?

6. How does the census in Numbers 1:22 reflect God's care for His people?

7. How does Numbers 1:22 reflect the historical accuracy of Israel's tribal organization?

8. What is the significance of the tribe of Simeon in Numbers 1:22?

9. How does Numbers 1:22 contribute to understanding biblical census practices?

10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Numbers 1?


What Does Numbers 1:22 Mean
From the sons of Simeon

Simeon was Jacob and Leah’s second son (Genesis 29:33). His tribe’s mention early in the census shows that God recognizes each tribal identity. Though Simeon’s past included violence with Levi in Shechem (Genesis 34; 49:5-7), the Lord still numbers his descendants, proving that grace and covenant promise endure. Simeon’s family lines appear again in Exodus 6:15 and later in the second census (Numbers 26:12-14), confirming continuity all the way to their inheritance in the land (Joshua 19:1-9).


According to the records of their clans and families

Israel kept written genealogies. These “records” assured every household of its rightful place and guarded the priesthood and land allotments (Ezra 2:59-63 echoes this principle centuries later). By insisting on clan and family rolls, God displays:

• order rather than confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33)

• accountability for every lineage (Exodus 20:6)

• faithfulness to promises made to Abraham’s seed (Genesis 15:5)


Counting one by one the names

The census was not a rough estimate; Moses and Aaron recorded each man “one by one.” Precision matters: Scripture even gives Simeon’s exact total, “59,300” (Numbers 1:23). The Lord who “counts the number of the stars” (Psalm 147:4) also counts His people and calls them “by name” (Isaiah 43:1; John 10:3). Each person matters individually, yet all stand together corporately.


Of every male twenty years of age or older

Twenty marked adulthood for civic and military duty (Exodus 30:14). God assigns responsibility when maturity is reached. Later, Levites began service at thirty (Numbers 4:3), but regular warriors at twenty, showing distinct roles within Israel’s community. The second census maintains the same threshold (Numbers 26:2), illustrating consistency in divine standards.


Who could serve in the army

The census’s purpose was mobilization. Israel was on the march to Canaan; soldiers would soon face Amalekites, Amorites, and eventually Jericho’s walls. Deuteronomy 20 outlines warfare ethics, yet Numbers 1 establishes the fighting force. This earthly army foreshadows the spiritual readiness believers are called to today—“Put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6:11). God’s people are never counted merely for statistics; they are counted for service and victory.


summary

Numbers 1:22 records God’s precise, orderly, and personal care for Simeon: identifying the tribe, verifying its families, naming each man individually, defining adult responsibility, and preparing a fighting force. The verse reminds us that every believer is known, counted, and called to serve in the Lord’s redemptive mission.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
From the sons
לִבְנֵ֣י (liḇ·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Simeon,
שִׁמְע֔וֹן (šim·‘ō·wn)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8095: Simeon -- a son of Jacob, also his tribe, also an Israelite with a foreign wife

according to the records
תּוֹלְדֹתָ֥ם (tō·wl·ḏō·ṯām)
Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 8435: Descent, family, history

of their clans
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4940: A family, circle of relatives, a class, a species, sort, a tribe, people

and families,
אֲבֹתָ֑ם (’ă·ḇō·ṯām)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1: Father

counting
בְּמִסְפַּ֤ר (bə·mis·par)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4557: A number, definite, indefinite, narration

one
לְגֻלְגְּלֹתָ֔ם (lə·ḡul·gə·lō·ṯām)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1538: A skull, head, poll (of persons)

by one the names
שֵׁמוֹת֙ (šê·mō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8034: A name

of every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

male
זָכָ֗ר (zā·ḵār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2145: Remembered, a male

twenty
עֶשְׂרִ֤ים (‘eś·rîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 6242: Twenty, twentieth

years of age
מִבֶּ֨ן (mib·ben)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

or older
וָמַ֔עְלָה (wā·ma‘·lāh)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605: The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top

who could serve
יֹצֵ֥א (yō·ṣê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

in the army,
צָבָֽא׃ (ṣā·ḇā)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign


Additonal Resources
Numbers 1:22 Blue Letter Bible
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OT Law: Numbers 1:22 Of the children of Simeon their generations (Nu Num.)

Numbers 1:21
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