What does Numbers 1:13 mean?
What is the meaning of Numbers 1:13?

Asher

— One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Jacob’s eighth son, born to Zilpah (Genesis 30:13).

— Historically blessed with abundance and favor: “Asher’s food will be rich, and he shall provide royal delicacies” (Genesis 49:20).

— Moses later echoes the blessing: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; may he be favored by his brothers and dip his foot in oil” (Deuteronomy 33:24).

— Inclusion in the census (Numbers 1) shows God’s faithfulness to preserve every tribe on the journey from Sinai to the Promised Land.


Pagiel

— Named as chief (nasi) of Asher in the first wilderness census: “from Asher, Pagiel son of Ocran” (Numbers 1:13).

— Again listed when the camp is arranged (Numbers 2:27) and when leaders present offerings at the tabernacle dedication (Numbers 7:72 - 77).

— His presence reminds us that God appoints recognizable, responsible leadership for each family group (compare Exodus 18:21; Numbers 27:16-17).

— Pagiel’s repeated mention underscores continuity; he shepherds the same people through multiple stages of their pilgrimage.


son of

— Scripture regularly traces lineage (“son of …”) to anchor identity in covenant history (Genesis 5; Matthew 1).

— Genealogical ties strengthen accountability; a leader represents not only himself but his fathers and his future descendants (Numbers 32:14).

— Lineage safeguards purity of inheritance in the land promise (Joshua 14:1-2).


Ocran

— Though little else is recorded about Ocran, his name is preserved because God values every generation (Psalm 78:5-7).

— The mention assures Asherites that their patriarchal line is known to God; He remembers forgotten figures as surely as prominent ones (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).

— For readers today, Ocran’s brief appearance testifies that no believer’s faithfulness is overlooked, even when unnoticed by history (Hebrews 6:10).


summary

Numbers 1:13 records more than a census statistic. It highlights God’s ongoing faithfulness to the tribe of Asher, the divinely appointed leadership of Pagiel, the covenant significance of lineage, and the worth of every name before the Lord. Together these details assure us that God sees, remembers, and assigns purpose to each individual and family within His people.

Why is the tribe of Dan specifically mentioned in Numbers 1:12?
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