What Does Numbers 32:2 Mean in the King James?
The children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spake unto Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and unto the princes of the congregation, saying,
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The request begins before the people whose title carries the image of being lifted up to bear the community’s weight.
THE MEANING
Gad’s and Reuben’s children bring their words into the open before Moses (מֹשֶׁה, Mosheh, “drawn out”), the priest, and the congregation’s leaders. A shared concern enters the presence of those entrusted with spiritual service and public responsibility; the whole structure is present as the matter is spoken.
THE ROOT
נְשִׂיאֵי
nesi'ei
GROWS FROM
נשא
To lift, carry, or bear.
“princes” in this verse is nesi'ei. The Hebrew title נְשִׂיאֵי (nesi’ei, “leaders”) grows from נשא (nasa, “lift or carry”). English gives an office; the root also carries the image of people lifted up to bear what belongs to the community.
ALSO GROWS
nasa: The act of lifting or carrying.
נָשָׂא
This verb is the seed behind the title for the leaders approached here.
massa: A load that is carried, or a burden.
מַשָּׂא
It shows the same root’s movement from carrying to what is carried, illuminating the responsibility held by the leaders.
nasi: A chief or leader, connected with being raised or elevated.
נָשִׂיא
This is the singular form behind the leaders named in the verse.
THE PATTERN
A concern affecting shared life enters communal discernment when it is brought before those entrusted with responsibility.
And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him.And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.THE THREAD
And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.The title נְשִׂיאֵי (nesi’ei, “leaders”) comes from נשא (nasa, “lift or carry”). Exodus uses that same root in “they shall bear the burden with thee,” revealing leadership as a form of carrying shared responsibility.
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