Numbers 1:16

King James Version (KJV)

These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

These were the renowned - Literally, the called, of the congregation - those who were summoned by name to attend. The order of the tribes In the above enumeration may be viewed thus: -

Reuben

Simeon

Judah

Issachar

Zebulun

Sons of Rachel

Ephraim
Manasseh
Benjamin

1st son of Bilhah, Rachel's maid

2d son of Zilpah, Leah's maid

Asher

1st son of Zilpah.

2d son of Bilhah.

12. Naphtali

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

Verses 5-16

The princes of the tribes, selected Numbers 1:4 under divine direction, were for the most part the same persons as those chosen a few months previously at the counsel of Jethro Exodus 18:21-26. Nahshon, prince of Judah, is mentioned in Exodus 6:23, and Elishama, in 1 Chronicles 7:26-27. The peers of men like these were no doubt entitled, among their fellows, to the epithet “renowned,” Numbers 1:16.

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The people were numbered to show God's faithfulness in thus increasing the seed of Jacob, that they might be the better trained for the wars and conquest of Canaan, and to ascertain their families in order to the division of the land. It is said of each tribe, that those were numbered who were able to go forth to war; they had wars before them, though now they met with no opposition. Let the believer be prepared to withstand the enemies of his soul, though all may appear to be peace.

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Numbers 1:16