Numbers 1:5-18. And these are the names of the men who shall assist you. From Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur; from Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai; from Judah, Nahshon the son of Amminadab; from Issachar, Nethanel the son of Zuar; from Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon; from the sons of Joseph, from Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud, and from Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur; from Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideoni; from Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai; from Asher, Pagiel the son of Ochran; from Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel; from Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan.” These were the ones chosen from the congregation, the chiefs of their ancestral tribes, the heads of the clans of Israel. Moses and Aaron took these men who had been named, and on the first day of the second month, they assembled the whole congregation together, who registered themselves by clans, by fathers’ houses, according to the number of names from twenty years old and upward, head by head, as the LORD commanded Moses. So he listed them in the wilderness of Sinai.
In general, the names have a significant and positive spiritual meaning, saying something good about the spiritual life of the Israeli community that left Egypt. These are Hebrew names. believing names; not Egyptian names. Most all the names make reference to God (Elohim).
From the tribe of Reuben, Elizur– whose name can mean, (My) God Is a Rock.
· From the tribe of Simeon, Shelumiel– whose name can mean, (My) Peace Is God.
· From the tribe of Judah, Nahshon– whose name can mean, (My) People Are Noble.
· From the tribe of Issachar, Nethanel– whose name can mean, Gift of God.
· From the tribe of Zebulun, Eliab– whose name can mean, (My) God Is Father.
· From the tribe of Ephraim, Elishama– whose name can mean, (My) God Hears. This man was the grandfather of Joshua · From the tribe of Manasseh, Gamaliel– whose name can mean, Reward of God.
· From the tribe of Benjamin, Abidan– whose name can mean, (My) Father Is Judge.
· From the tribe of Dan, Ahiezer– whose name can mean, (My) Brother Is a Helper.
· From the tribe of Asher, Pagiel– whose name can mean, Met by God.
· From the tribe of Gad, Eliasaph– whose name can mean, (My) God Has Added, Multiplied.
· From the tribe of Naphtali, Ahira– whose name can mean, (My) Brother Is Evil.
God’s guidance to Israel gave attention to both the individual and to the community. Both aspects were important and continue to be important today. “Under the New Covenant there is a distribution of grace to every one, an endowment of each according to his faith with priestly and even kingly powers…. [Yet] The commission each receives is not to be a free- lance in the Divine warfare, but to take his right place in the ranks; and that place he must find.” (Guzik)
It will be another 38-39 years before they go into battle in the promised land. Establishing numbers, ranks, order, and will not only affect these men but those born over the next 38 years. In establishing order there is not only purpose but a joining together, but a uniting of spirit for the cause. Plans are developed and actions taken based on rank and order. Unity in purpose is a strong bond that will overcome doubts. Having God lead, guide, and teach them in the wilderness about godliness, sin, obedience, and faith will take time for them to mature as a unified nation before moving into take the promised land.
