Numbers 1:20

From the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, according to the records of their clans and families, counting one by one the names of every male twenty years of age or older who could serve in the army,

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — Moses conducts the census in the wilderness of Sinai, executing the Lord’s direct command to tally the tribes. This verse isolates the enumeration process specifically for the tribe of Reuben.

The words — The text employs בְּכֹ֣ר (be.Khor) for "firstborn" and תּוֹלְדֹתָ֥/ם (tol.do.Ta/m) for "genealogies" or "records" to anchor the count in established family lines. These terms indicate that the registration relies on documented lineage rather than ad hoc selection.

The thread — The identification of Reuben as the firstborn recurs in Numbers 26:5, and the tribal camp placement under Reuben’s standard appears in Numbers 2:10. Genesis 29:32 supplies the etymological basis for Reuben’s name through Leah’s declaration.

Why it lands — The passage states that military readiness required males aged twenty or older verified through clan records. Readers must acknowledge how divine instruction mandates precise, genealogically grounded administrative action.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

King James Version

And the children of Reuben, Israel’s eldest son, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Cross-references

Numbers 26:5 Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu,
Numbers 2:10 On the south side, the divisions of Reuben are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Reubenites is Elizur son of Shedeur,
Genesis 29:32 And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.”
Genesis 46:9 The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.
Genesis 49:3 Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.
1 Chronicles 5:1 These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.