« | Numbers 2 | » |
1 The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
2 "The people of Israel will set up their tents, each by his own flag and beside that of their fathers'. They will set up their tents to face the meeting tent on every side.
3 Those who stay in their tents on the east side toward the sunrise will have the flag of Judah by their armies. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon the son of Amminadab.
4 The number of all his army is 74,600.
5 The family of Issachar will set up their tents next to Judah. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel the son of Zuar.
6 The number of his army is 54,400.
7 The family of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab the son of Helon.
8 The number of his army is 57,400.
9 The whole number among the tents of Judah is 186,400, by their armies. They will be first to move on.
10 "On the south side will be the tents of Reuben by their armies with their flags. The leader of the people of Reuben is Elizur the son of Shedeur.
11 The number of his army is 46,500.
12 The family of Simeon will set up their tents next to him. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
13 The number of his army is 59,300.
14 The family of Gad will be next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
15 The number of his army is 45,650.
16 The whole number among the tents of Reuben is 151,450 by their armies. They will be second to move on.
17 "Then the meeting tent will go out with the Levites among the people. In the same way that they set up their tents, so they will leave to move on, every man in his place, by his flags.
18 "On the west side will be the flag of the tents of Ephraim by their armies. The leader of the people of Ephraim is Elishama the son of Ammihud.
19 The number of his army is 40,500.
20 The family of Manasseh will be next to him. The leader of the people of Manasseh is Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
21 The number of his army is 32,200.
22 The family of Benjamin will be next. The leader of the people of Benjamin is Abidan the son of Gideoni.
23 The number of his army is 35,400.
24 The whole number among the tents of Ephraim is 108,100, by their armies. They will be third to move on.
25 "On the north side will be the flag of the tents of Dan by their armies. The leader of the people of Dan is Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
26 The number of his army is 62,700.
27 The family of Asher will set up their tents next to him. The leader of the people of Asher is Pagiel the son of Ochran.
28 The number of his army is 41,500.
29 The family of Naphtali will be next. The leader of the people of Naphtali is Ahira the son of Enan.
30 The number of his army is 53,400.
31 The whole number among the tents of Dan is 157,600. They will be last to move on with their flags."
32 These are the numbers of the men of Israel by their fathers' houses. The whole number among all the tents, by their armies, was 603,550.
33 But the Levites were not numbered with the people of Israel, just as the Lord had told Moses.
34 So the people of Israel did all that the Lord had told Moses. They set up their tents by their flags. And they left to move on in the same way, every one by his family and by his father's house.
The New Life Version (NLV)
The New Life Version (NLV) is a unique English translation of the Bible designed to be exceptionally easy to read and understand. First published in 1969, the NLV was created by Gleason Ledyard, a missionary and linguist, to make the Scriptures accessible to people who have limited English proficiency or are new to the language. Ledyard’s aim was to provide a Bible that even those with minimal education could read and comprehend, thus opening the door for a wider audience to engage with the biblical texts.
A defining characteristic of the New Life Version is its use of a limited vocabulary of about 850 basic English words, along with some necessary theological terms. This restricted vocabulary ensures that the language remains simple and straightforward, making the text accessible to young readers, new Christians, and those for whom English is a second language. The translators also avoided idiomatic expressions and complex sentence structures, further enhancing clarity and understanding. This makes the NLV a particularly valuable resource for educational and missionary work.
The NLV also emphasizes faithfulness to the original texts, despite its simplified language. The translation aims to maintain the integrity and message of the original Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek manuscripts. By carefully choosing words that accurately convey the meaning of the original texts while ensuring simplicity, the NLV provides a balance between accessibility and fidelity. Additionally, the NLV includes explanatory footnotes and cross-references that help readers understand the context and deeper meanings of the passages, making it a useful tool for both personal study and group teaching.
However, the New Life Version is not without its critics. Some scholars and traditionalists argue that the limited vocabulary and simplified language can lead to a loss of nuance and depth found in the original texts. They suggest that the NLV’s focus on simplicity may sometimes oversimplify complex theological concepts. Despite these criticisms, the New Life Version remains a valuable translation for its intended audience, offering a clear and approachable rendition of the Bible that helps a wide range of readers engage with the Scriptures and grow in their faith.