for the children of Joseph for Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud; for Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur;
Commentary for this Verse
Numbers 1:10 lists two men where you would expect one: Joseph's family supplies a prince for Ephraim and a prince for Manasseh. Why does one son of Jacob hold two places in the list? And why record the names of these men and their fathers at all?
Why Joseph Counts Twice
Joseph is not listed as a tribe here. His two sons stand in his place, and commentators trace this back to Jacob giving Joseph an extra place through his two sons:
Leslie M. GrantJacob had 12 sons at the time, the exact number that speaks of complete order. So why should he give Joseph an extra place among the tribes by naming tribes after his two sons? The wisdom of God was in this. Later we find that Levi received no inheritance of its own among the tribes (Num. 1:47-53), because God set that tribe apart to serve Him in the tabernacle and among all the tribes.
The order inside the verse is also deliberate. Ephraim, the younger, comes before Manasseh:
H. L. RossierLevi is left out between Simeon and Judah, since he is not to be counted. Asher and Gad swap places. Ephraim and Manasseh take Joseph's place. According to Jacob's prophecy (Gen. 48:14-22), Ephraim takes precedence over Manasseh.
Princes Appointed, Not Elected
Elishama and Gamaliel did not campaign for their positions. The list came from God:
F. B. HoleOur chapter records that God first chose a "head," or prince, for each tribe. The choice was not left to the people, or even to Moses. The word to him was, "These are the names of the men who shall assist you…" God chose His own leader for each tribe. This reminds us that God still chooses His own servants and leaders today. He does not put the matter to a vote.
Elishama — "God Has Heard"
Several writers treat the names of these princes as messages in themselves. Ephraim's name carries the idea of fruitfulness. His prince's name supplies what fruitfulness needs:
F. W. GrantEphraim's prince is Elishama, which means "God has heard." The "fruitfulness" that Ephraim's own name speaks of can become a trap for us. It is safe only when we trace it back to the One who hears His people's prayer. The second name, Ammihud, "the people of Majesty," may point to a known relationship with the infinite Greatness. That relationship is what gives prayer its right and its drive. All these names breathe a spirit of dependence and of nearness — of lowliness, yet of intimacy — things that necessarily go together.
Gamaliel — "God Is a Rewarder"
The other name in the verse looks ahead to reward, and this is a chapter about men fit to fight:
Leslie M. GrantManasseh's prince was Gamaliel, meaning "God is a Rewarder." In a time of conflict this is a wonderful encouragement. We have no reason to look for men's approval or rewards. If we fight only to please God, we will be content to wait for God's time of reward. Gamaliel's father, Pedahzur, means "the rock has redeemed." That reminds us never to take pride in the rewards of service. We are only sinners redeemed by Him who is the one stable Rock.
The Point of the Whole Register
Behind the roll of princes lies the reason for the census itself:
William KellyThe early chapters set out one main object: a count of the males who were fit for war. But we will find that the numbering goes beyond this… Whatever the aim of each part of the book, God presses this on us — the care and the interest He takes in everyone who belongs to Him. It is a very simple truth, but it is full of comfort to the soul.
That is why descent mattered so much in this chapter. Elishama son of Ammihud, Gamaliel son of Pedahzur — each man's father is named:
Arno C. GaebeleinThey had to show their family line. Only those who could do that had a place in this count and could serve as soldiers. They needed this proof because a mixed crowd of outsiders had attached itself to the people of God… What gives us our place among the people of God is the new birth. By it we become children of God. And we are called to a spiritual war. It is not against flesh and blood, but against the devil and his schemes and the evil spirits (Eph. 6:11-12).
Summary
- Counted — the census counted the men fit for war. Its deeper message is the care God takes in everyone who belongs to Him.
- Claimed — Joseph gets two places through his sons Ephraim and Manasseh. That keeps the tribes at twelve once Levi is set apart to serve at the tabernacle.
- Chosen — no tribe voted for its prince. God named the men who were to assist Moses, and He still chooses His own servants and leaders.
- Heard — Elishama means "God has heard." Fruitfulness turns into a snare unless we trace it back to the God who hears.
- Rewarded — Gamaliel means "God is a Rewarder," so no soldier needs human applause. Pedahzur, "the rock has redeemed," keeps that reward from feeding pride.