Numbers 1:20

18 and on the first day of the second month they assembled the whole congregation and recorded their ancestry by clans and families, counting one by one the names of those twenty years of age or older,

19 just as the LORD had commanded Moses. So Moses numbered them in the Wilderness of Sinai:

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,

21 those registered to the tribe of Reuben numbered 46,500.

22 From the sons of Simeon, 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,

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
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,
KJV
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;
WEB
The children of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, their generations, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, one by one, every male from twenty years old and upward, all who were able to go out to war:
ASV
And the children of Reuben, Israel`s first-born, their generations, by their families, by their fathers` houses, 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;
DARBY
And the sons of Reuben, Israel's eldest son, their generations, after their families, according to their fathers' houses, by the number of the names, according to their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that went forth to military service:
BLB
And the sons of Reuben oldest son of Israel—their genealogies by their clans, by the house of their fathers, by the number of names individually, every male from a son of twenty years and above, everyone going out to the host—
ÅB
Etterkommerne av Rubens sønner - han som var Israels førstefødte - oppskrevet etter sine slekter og familier, med sine navn, en for en, alt mannkjønn fra tyveårsalderen og oppover, alle som kunne dra ut i krig,
OTB
Fra Rubens etterkommere, Israels førstefødte: Alle mennene som var tjue år eller eldre og i stand til å tjene i hæren, ble oppført ved navn, én etter én, etter opptegnelsene av deres klaner og familier.
B1930
Efterkommerne av Rubens sønner - han som var Israels førstefødte - opskrevet efter sine ætter og familier, med sine navn, en for en, alt mannkjønn fra tyveårsalderen og opover, alle som kunde dra ut i krig,

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Numbers 26:5–7

    Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu,

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  • Numbers 2:10–11

    On the south side, the divisions of Reuben are to camp under their standard: The leader of the Reubenites is Elizur son of Shedeur,

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  • Genesis 49:3–4

    Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power.

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  • Genesis 46:9

    The sons of Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

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  • 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.”

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  • 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.

    Read in context