Verse:
Numbers 2:19 · "His division Numbers 40,500."

Context and Background:
Numbers 2:19 is part of a larger passage detailing the organization and encampment of the tribes of Israel during their wilderness journey. This verse specifically refers to the tribe of Simeon, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and the number of men in their division who were able to go to war. The book of Numbers, traditionally attributed to Moses, is the fourth book of the Pentateuch and is named for the censuses of the Israelites recorded within it.

Tribal Organization:
In Numbers Chapter 2, God commands Moses and Aaron to arrange the tribes of Israel around the Tabernacle. Each tribe is assigned a specific position and standard, reflecting both their military and spiritual roles. The tribe of Simeon, as mentioned in Numbers 2:19, is part of the camp of Reuben, which is positioned on the south side of the Tabernacle. This camp includes the tribes of Reuben, Simeon, and Gad.

Significance of the Number:
The number 40,500 represents the men of Simeon who were twenty years old and upward, able to serve in Israel's army. This census was crucial for organizing the Israelites for both their journey and their eventual conquest of the Promised Land. The specific number underscores the importance of order and preparation in fulfilling God's promises and commands.

Theological Implications:
The census and organization of the tribes highlight God's sovereignty and meticulous care in guiding His people. Each tribe's placement and number were divinely ordained, reflecting God's plan and purpose for the nation of Israel. The tribe of Simeon, though smaller in number compared to some other tribes, played a vital role in the collective identity and mission of Israel.

Historical and Cultural Insights:
The tribe of Simeon, named after the second son of Jacob and Leah, has a complex history within the biblical narrative. While initially numerous, the tribe's numbers dwindle in later censuses, possibly due to internal strife or divine judgment. This fluctuation in numbers serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant.

Application for Today:
Numbers 2:19, while a brief mention of a census figure, invites reflection on the themes of community, responsibility, and divine order. Believers today can draw lessons from the Israelites' organization and readiness, applying these principles to their spiritual lives and communities. The verse encourages a commitment to being prepared and aligned with God's purposes, trusting in His guidance and provision.

In summary, Numbers 2:19, though seemingly a simple record of numbers, is rich with implications about God's order, the role of community, and the importance of readiness in the journey of faith.40500 (2 Occurrences)

Numbers 2:19
His division, and those who were numbered of them, were forty thousand five hundred.
(See NAS NIV)

Numbers 26:18
These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.
(See NAS NIV)

40500 (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance 40500 (2 Occurrences). Numbers 2:19 His division, and
those who were numbered of them, were forty thousand five hundred. (See NAS NIV) ...
/num/40500.htm - 6k

Ephraim (168 Occurrences)
... At the time of the first census in the wilderness this tribe numbered 40,500 (Numbers
1:32, 33); forty years later, when about to take possession of the ...
/e/ephraim.htm - 56k

41500 (1 Occurrence)

/num/41500.htm - 6k

40000 (3 Occurrences)

/num/40000.htm - 7k

Gad (78 Occurrences)
... go forth to war" (Numbers 1:24). In the plains of Moab the number had fallen
to 40,500 (Numbers 26:18). The place of Gad was with ...
/g/gad.htm - 49k

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