Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 1:16
These [were] the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
16. they that were called ] i.e. ‘chosen’ to help Moses in conducting the census.
their fathers ] Their ancestors, the sons of Jacob.
thousands ] Another term for a group of relations, irrespective of its exact number; it is probable that it denotes a large group such as a clan, rather than a small group such as a ‘fathers’ house’ ( Num 1:2); cf. Jdg 6:15, 1Sa 10:19; 1Sa 10:21, Mic 5:2.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 16. These were the renowned] Literally, the called, of the congregation – those who were summoned by name to attend. The order of the tribes In the above enumeration may be viewed thus: –
1. Reuben |
2. Simeon |
3. Judah |- Sons of Leah.
4. Issachar |
5. Zebulun |
6. Ephraim |
7. Manasseh |- Sons of Rachel.
8. Benjamin |
9. Dan……… 1st son of Bilhah, Rachel’s maid
10. Asher……. 2d son of Zilpah, Leah’s maid.
11. Gad……… 1st son of Zilpah.
12. Naphtali…. 2d son of Bilhah.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The renowned, Heb. the named or called, to wit, by Moses and by Gods appointment, to manage this affair, and others as there was occasion. Compare Num 16:2; 26:9.
Heads of thousands. See Exo 18:21; Num 10:4.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
16-18. These were therenownedliterally, “the called” of the congregation,summoned by name; and they entered upon the survey the very day theorder was given.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
These [were] the renowned of the congregation,…. The most famous and eminent among the people, for their birth and pedigree, or for their excellent qualities of wisdom, courage, and the like; or “the called of the congregation” d, whom God had called by name and selected from the rest of the congregation to the above service, whereby great honour was done them: Aben Ezra says, the sense is, that the congregation did nothing until they had called them; with which agrees the note of Jarchi,
“who were called to every business of importance in the congregation:”
princes of the tribes of their fathers; as Elizur was prince of the children of Reuben, Nu 7:30; the same is there said of the rest in their respective tribes:
heads of thousands in Israel; the congregation of Israel being divided into thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, by the advice of Jethro,
Ex 18:21; each of these divisions had a ruler over them, and thousands being the highest number, these princes were chiliarchs, rulers or heads of thousands.
d “convocati coetus”, Montanus, Drusius; “convocati e coetu”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(16) The renowned of the congregation.Lit., the called men of the congregation, i.e., the men chosen as representatives of their respective tribes, and appointed to act in that capacity in regulating the affairs of the nation.
Heads of thousands in Israel.Better, they were the heads of the thousands of Israel. Comp. Exo. 18:21; Exo. 18:25, where rulers, or princes of thousands, are the highest class of officers recommended by Jethro, and appointed by Moses. See also Num. 10:4.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
16. Heads of thousands in Israel This language sounds so much like Exo 18:21 that it is probable that the assistant judges, carefully chosen by Moses at the suggestion of Jethro his father-in-law, were named by the Lord associates of Moses and Aaron in completing the registration. The Hebrew for the renowned of the congregation is, the called of the congregation, a select number, suggesting a representative body, to whom Moses often spoke when it is said that he addressed all the congregation. “The social condition of the Israelites in the wilderness bore a close resemblance to that of the nomad tribes of the East in the present day. The head of the tribe was an hereditary dignity, vested in the eldest son, or some other to whom the right of primogeniture was transferred, and under whom were other inferior heads, also hereditary.” Jamieson.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘These are they who were called by the congregation the princes of the tribes of their fathers, they were the heads of the thousands of Israel.’
These twelve men were the recognised great chieftains of the tribes, ‘the princes of the tribes of their fathers’. They were the titular heads of the fighting men of Israel, who would themselves be seen in terms of their military units, or of their ‘family groupings’.
“Heads of the ” lph of Israel.’ ’lph can signify ‘thousands, families, subtribes, clans, military units, military officers, chieftains’. Here the ’lph of Israel are the sub-tribes which make up the tribe or alternatively the military units which compose their fighting force. In fact in terms of those days the two were almost synonymous. The fighting force was made up of the men of Israel, and the tribes were mainly seen in terms of the men of Israel. It is only in later times that standing armies would be set up.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Num 1:16. These were the renowned, &c. Houbigant renders this, these were called from the multitude, convocati; which is agreeable to the Hebrew. From ch. Num 7:2, &c. we see, that these must have been persons of the first distinction.
Note; ‘Tis not our being among professors, but our being born of God, and Abraham’s children by faith, which entities us to a place in the church of the Redeemed.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
However uninteresting this account of names may seem to the Reader, yet spiritually considered, may it not serve to teach the happiness of those whose names are written in the book of life. Reader! depend upon it, the Lord knoweth them that are his. And if the Lord said to Moses, I know thee by name, and thou hast found favour in my sight; let no one doubt but that his people are all brought into the same account. Consult these sweet scriptures, Luk 10:20 ; Phi 4:3 ; Rev 21:27Rev 21:27 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Num 1:16 These [were] the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
Ver. 16. Princes of the tribes. ] These were those officers over them in Egypt, saith a Hebrew doctor, that had been beaten for them. Exo 5:14 Now they are raised to great preferment. Sic per angusta ad augustum, per spinas ad rosas, per motum ad quietem, per crucem ad coelum contendimus.
Numbered for War; Set Apart for Worship
Num 1:1-4
This book records two numberings of the host; the first, at Sinai; and the second, thirty-eight years after, on the threshold of Canaan. It is also the book of the Wilderness wanderings, and contains the story of journeys, service, and vicissitude. It is therefore a valuable guide book to the Church in her present stage.
For us, too, there is a census. God numbers His jewels. He keeps an inventory of His people. Not one of them is omitted, however weak or unworthy. In thy book all my members are written. We must be able to tell our pedigree; i.e., we must be assured of our regeneration into Gods family. If we are doubtful about our childship to God, we shall be fit for neither campaigning nor fighting. The secret of failure always lies here. The Levites were not included because, in a very special sense, they belonged to God. He therefore was responsible for their well-being as He is for all of us who are united by faith with Christ-the true Aaron.
the renowned: Keruey haaidah, literally “the called of the congregation,” those who were summoned by name to attend. Num 2:3-31, Num 7:2, Num 7:10-83, Num 10:14-27, Num 11:17, Num 16:2, Num 26:9, Jdg 6:15, 1Ch 27:16-22
heads: Num 1:4, Exo 18:21, Exo 18:25, Deu 1:15, 1Sa 22:7, 1Sa 23:23, Mic 5:2
Reciprocal: Lev 4:22 – a ruler hath sinned
1:16 These [were] the renowned of the congregation, {e} princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
(e) Or captains, and governors.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Fuente: F.B. Meyer’s Through the Bible Commentary
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes