Numbers 1:37 Study Bible: those who were numbered of them, of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty-five thousand four hundred.

◄ Numbers 1:37 ►

those registered to the tribe of Benjamin numbered 35,400.

those registered to the tribe of Benjamin
The tribe of Benjamin was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. This tribe held a unique position among the tribes due to its small size and its later significant role in Israel's history. Benjamin's territory was strategically located between the powerful tribes of Judah and Ephraim, which often placed it at the center of political and military events. The tribe of Benjamin is notable for producing several key figures in biblical history, including King Saul, the first king of Israel, and the Apostle Paul, originally named Saul. The registration mentioned here is part of a census commanded by God to Moses, which was conducted in the wilderness of Sinai. This census was primarily for military purposes, counting men able to go to war.

numbered 35,400
The specific number of 35,400 reflects the men of fighting age, twenty years and older, who were able to serve in the army. This number is relatively small compared to some of the other tribes, highlighting Benjamin's status as one of the smaller tribes. Despite its size, the tribe of Benjamin was known for its fierce warriors, as seen in later biblical narratives such as the story of the Benjamite warriors in Judges 20. The precise counting of the tribes underscores the importance of order and organization in the Israelite camp, as well as the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham regarding the multiplication of his descendants. This census also foreshadows the future role of Benjamin in Israel's monarchy and its eventual integration into the southern kingdom of Judah after the division of the united monarchy.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Tribe of Benjamin
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel. Known for its warriors and later for being the tribe of King Saul and the Apostle Paul.

2. Census of Israel
The event in which Moses and Aaron, under God's command, conducted a census of the Israelite men able to go to war. This was part of preparing the Israelites for their journey and battles in the Promised Land.

3. Wilderness of Sinai
The location where the census took place. It was a significant period of testing and preparation for the Israelites as they journeyed from Egypt to the Promised Land.

Teaching Points

God's Sovereignty in Order
The census reflects God's order and structure for His people. It reminds us that God is a God of order, not chaos, and He has a plan for each of us.

Identity and Heritage
The tribe of Benjamin's inclusion in the census underscores the importance of knowing our spiritual heritage. As Christians, understanding our identity in Christ is crucial.

Preparedness for Spiritual Battles
Just as the Israelites were counted and prepared for physical battles, we must be spiritually prepared for the battles we face in life. This involves being equipped with the Word of God and prayer.

Community and Accountability
The census was a communal activity that involved accountability. In our Christian walk, being part of a community where we are accountable to one another is vital for growth and support.

Bible Study Questions

1. What does the census of the tribe of Benjamin teach us about the importance of being counted among God's people today?

2. How can understanding our spiritual heritage, like the Israelites knowing their tribal lineage, impact our faith journey?

3. In what ways can we prepare ourselves for the spiritual battles we face, drawing parallels from the Israelites' preparation for war?

4. How does being part of a Christian community help us in our walk with God, similar to how the tribes of Israel functioned together?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's order and structure in your life. How did it help you navigate through that season?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Genesis 35:24
This verse lists Benjamin as one of the sons of Jacob, establishing his place among the tribes of Israel.

1 Samuel 9:21
Saul, the first king of Israel, is from the tribe of Benjamin, highlighting the tribe's significance in Israel's history.

Philippians 3:5
The Apostle Paul identifies himself as a member of the tribe of Benjamin, showing the tribe's continued importance into the New Testament era.

Sermons

The First Army of Israel, an Illustration of the Church Militant	W. Jones.	Numbers 1:20-46
The Necessity of War	H. W. Beecher.	Numbers 1:20-46

People

Aaron, Abidan, Ahiezer, Ahira, Ammihud, Amminadab, Ammishaddai, Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Deuel, Eliab, Eliasaph, Elishama, Elizur, Enan, Gad, Gamaliel, Gideoni, Helon, Israelites, Issachar, Joseph, Levi, Levites, Manasseh, Moses, Nahshon, Naphtali, Nethaneel, Ocran, Pagiel, Pedahzur, Reuben, Reuel, Shedeur, Shelumiel, Simeon, Zebulun, Zuar, Zurishaddai

Places

Egypt, Sinai

Topics

Benjamin, 400, Hundred, Numbered, Ones, Thirty, Thirty-five, Thousand, Tribe

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Numbers 1:1-49

5249 census

Numbers 1:20-43

7266 tribes of Israel

Library

The Consolation
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received at the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Child-Life in Nazareth
THE stay of the Holy Family in Egypt must have been of brief duration. The cup of Herod's misdeeds, but also of his misery, was full. During the whole latter part of his life, the dread of a rival to the throne had haunted him, and he had sacrificed thousands, among them those nearest and dearest to him, to lay that ghost. [1084] And still the tyrant was not at rest. A more terrible scene is not presented in history than that of the closing days of Herod. Tormented by nameless fears; ever and again …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
THE ISRAELITES IN THE LAND OF CANAAN: THE JUDGES--THE PHILISTINES AND THE HEBREW KINGDOM--SAUL, DAVID, SOLOMON, THE DEFECTION OF THE TEN TRIBES--THE XXIst EGYPTIAN DYNASTY--SHESHONQ OR SHISHAK DAMASCUS. The Hebrews in the desert: their families, clans, and tribes--The Amorites and the Hebrews on the left bank of the Jordan--The conquest of Canaan and the native reaction against the Hebrews--The judges, Ehud, Deborah, Jerubbaal or Gideon and the Manassite supremacy; Abimelech, Jephihdh. The Philistines, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6

And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah
"And thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, too little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall come forth unto Me (one) [Pg 480] to be Ruler in Israel; and His goings forth are the times of old, the days of eternity." The close connection of this verse with what immediately precedes (Caspari is wrong in considering iv. 9-14 as an episode) is evident, not only from the [Hebrew: v] copulative, and from the analogy of the near relation of the announcement of salvation to the prophecy of disaster …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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