🔢WEB · Numbers 2:9
What does Numbers 2:9 mean?
"All who were counted of the camp of Judah were one hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred, according to their divisions. They shall set out first."
— Numbers 2:9 (World English Bible)
Surrounding context
His division, and those who were counted of it, were fifty-four thousand four hundred.
The tribe of Zebulun: and the prince of the children of Zebulun shall be Eliab the son of Helon.
His division, and those who were counted of it, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred.
All who were counted of the camp of Judah were one hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred, according to their divisions. They shall set out first.
“On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their divisions. The prince of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
His division, and those who were counted of it, were forty-six thousand five hundred.
“Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Simeon. The prince of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
Explanation
Numbers 2:9 records a simple administrative detail: the total number of fighting men in the tribal division led by Judah was 186,400, and this division was assigned the honor of marching first whenever the Israelite camp moved. This verse is part of a larger passage in which Moses, following God's direct instructions, organizes the twelve tribes of Israel into four groups of three tribes each, positioned around the tabernacle and given a specific order of march through the wilderness.
The book of Numbers takes place shortly after Isra
Compare translations
Go deeper with ScriptureCompanion AI
Ask questions about any verse, follow reading plans, write personal prayers, and track your daily habit — all grounded in verified scripture text.