Numbers 1 General Notes

Structure and Formatting

1. Preparing to leave Sinai (1:1–10:10)
   • Counting and assembling the tribes (1:1–4:49)

This chapter is intended to form a smooth transition from the last chapter of the book of Leviticus. It describes the counting of Israelite men who are able to fight in the army.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Census

In this chapter, Yahweh commands Moses and Aaron to count how many men of military age were in each tribe of Israel. Some of these men were also called to lead their family groups.

Translation Issues in This Chapter

“Fathers”

Throughout this chapter, the author uses “fathers” to refer more generally to ancestors. The UST translates this word with “ancestor” or “ancestral.” Consider how you would most naturally refer to male ancestors in your language.

“A son of 20 years and upward”

Throughout the chapter, this phrase refers to a man who is at least 20 years old. The man could be significantly older than 20 years old. Consider how you would naturally refer to an age limitation of this kind in your language.

Possession with tribal names in 1:5–16

In 1:5–16, the author consistently uses the word “of” followed by the name of a tribe. In these cases, the possessive form indicates that the named person is a member of that specific tribe. Consider how you would indicate that someone belongs to a specific group.

“One who goes out to war”

Throughout the chapter, this phrase refers to a man who is able to fight in a war. It indicates that the man is fit and able, not that he is already a soldier. Be sure that your translation indicates the ability to fight.

Does Yahweh also speak 1:16?

The words in 1:16 could be a summary provided by the narrator, or they could be the final words spoken by Yahweh to Moses in this section. If these are words spoken by Yahweh to Moses, they should be translated in the present tense (“are”) instead of the past tense (“were”). The ULT and UST indicate that Yahweh’s words end in 1:15, since it is common for the narrator to include a conclusion of this type.

The list of the tribes in 1:20–43

The list of tribes in 1:20–43 includes the exact same wording for most of the tribes. The exceptions are Reuben (which includes “the firstborn of Israel” and “according to their skulls”), Simeon (which includes “his counted ones” and “according to their skulls”), and Naphtali (which omits the opening “Of” to indicate that the list is ending). Notes on these variations are included at the verses where they appear. Notes on the repeated elements are listed here. It can be helpful to decide how to translate the consistently repeated phrases first and then translate the variations with Reuben, Simeon, and Naphtali.

• Sequence. Some languages would naturally arrange the data about each tribe in a different sequence. The UST models this by creating verse bridges in order to include the number earlier. Consider what would be a natural order in your language.
• Metaphor: “sons of.” The word “sons” refers to male descendants in general. Consider how you would naturally refer to male descendants in your language.
• Metaphor: “house of their fathers.” Here, the word “house” refers to a group of people who are related to each other. It does not refer to a building. The word “fathers” refers to male ancestors, not just male parents. So, the phrase “house of their fathers” refers to a group of people who are related to each other because they have the same male ancestors. Consider how you might refer to a group of related people like this in your language.
• Metaphor: “a son of 20 years and upward.” See the discussion of this phrase above.
• Implicit: “everyone who goes out to war.” See the discussion of this phrase above.
• Passive: “their counted ones.” The expression “counted ones” is a passive verbal form. If your language would not use that form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. If you need to say who does the action, the context indicates that it is Moses and Aaron with the help of the 12 leaders.
• Possession: “of the tribe of.” The possessive form indicates that “the counted ones” belong to “the tribe,” and the following phrase “of [tribe name]” defines which tribe. Consider how you would indicate that people belong to a specific, named tribe.
• Large numbers. The numbers in this section are all over 10,000. Consider how you would express large numbers in your language and use that form consistently in this chapter.