Luke, chapter 2

1 ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

When the Second Advent comes, just like the First Advent, Rome will be in charge. Your taxes will be going to support the UN or something similar. Gold is sound money, not like the paper economy we have and I have read that the Vatican has been buying gold for many decades as a standard practice.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

Syria has a part to play in the Second Advent, too. I am certain. Jacob (Israel) was a Syrian Jew. The Beast will be a Syrian Jew?

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

Bethlehem means in Hebrew, the house of bread. This is where the bread of life is born.

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

The first time He came, it was privately during a time of an international tax, and the second time He comes it will be privately to believers at the time of an international tax. Look for a repeat of the same situation.

8 ¶ And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

Christ is a shepherd and has a flock and abides over them by night. These are great prophetic statements. There are verses that refer to Christ as a shepherd, to the church as a flock, and to the church age as night.

John 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

John 13:30 He then having received the sop went immediately out: and it was night.

Romans 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

This announcement is not just for the Jews but for all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

Being wrapped up in swaddling clothes as in grave clothing, lying in a borrowed food trough as in a borrowed tomb, is a sign.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

SAYING!!! not singing. Lay aside all of your medieval catholic myths and honor God’s word for what it says, not what you want it to say.

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

This is a huge difference from “to men of good will”, a Roman Catholic perversion of the true verse that qualifies the statement in the wrong direction making it not dependent upon God’s will but upon man’s goodness in keeping with the Vatican’s religion of works.

In the lighting of the pagan Christmas tree on the White House lawn no modern president says the first part of the verse, to my knowledge.

No peace until there is glory given to God. No nation on earth today has a chance.
Some manuscripts have corrupted this verse to make it a part of a religion based on works rather than God’s grace, taking power and glory from God and giving it to man. These humanistic corruptions are explained very well here;

“"on earth peace, good will toward men" is changed to "on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests" or similar wording by RV, NIV, RSV, GN, LB, AMP, NASV, NEB (almost identical to NIV), JB or to "towards men of good will" or similar wording by DR, Ne, NKJV marg. and NWT.
The evidence in favour of this passage against the modern textual critics is cited by Burgon (14) p 42-3, 422-3, by Fuller quoting Burgon (32) p96 and the TBS (58) "Good Will Toward Men." Only five codices (Aleph, A, B, D, W) support the modern textual critics, against every existing copy of the Gospels, amounting to many hundreds" (Fuller, ibid).
Although the Latin, Sahidic and Gothic versions support the modern textual Critics, this passage reading is supported by: 2nd Century: Syriac versions, Irenaeus; 3rd Century: Coptic version, Origen, Apostolical Constitutions; 4th Century: Eusebius, Aphraates the Persian, Titus of Bostra, Didymus, Gregory of Nazianzus, Cyril of Jerusalem, Epiphanius, Gregory of Nyssa, Ephraem Syrus, Philo, Bishop of Carpasus, Chrysostom; 5th Century: Armenian version, Cyril of Alexandria, Theodoret, Theodotus of Ancyra, Proclus, Paulus of Emesa, Basil of Seleucia, the Eastern bishops of Ephesus collectively; 6th Century: Georgian and Ethiopic versions, Cosmos, Anastasius Sinaita, Eulogius, Archbishop of Alexandria; 7th Century: Andreas of Crete; 8th Century: Cosmos, Bishop of Maiuma, John Damascene, Germanus, Archbishop of Consttantinople, pope Martinus. Berry's Greek text supports this passage. “
References are to John Burgon’s “The Revision Revised” and to David Otis Fuller’s “Which Bible?”

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

When God reveals something to you, investigate it. They go down to the “house of bread” (Bethlehem) to see the Bread of Life (Lord Jesus Christ).

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

The first human evangelists after the birth of Christ go out witnessing and giving their testimony to the people round about.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
21 ¶ And when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child, his name was called JESUS, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

This is the requirement since Abraham for every male child as a sign of the covenant between the Jew and God. See how Moses nearly was killed for not doing it to his own child.

Exodus 4:24 ¶ And it came to pass by the way in the inn, that the LORD met him, and sought to kill him.
25 Then Zipporah took a sharp stone, and cut off the foreskin of her son, and cast it at his feet, and said, Surely a bloody husband art thou to me. 26 So he let him go: then she said, A bloody husband thou art, because of the circumcision.

22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;

From Dr. Ken Matto, here we have how this verse was corrupted in other versions;

“(NIV) When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (NASB) And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (HCSB) And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (ESV) And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord(1901 ASV) And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord(RSV) And when the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (NAB-Roman Catholic) When the day came to purify them according to the law of Moses, the couple brought him up tot Jerusalem so that he could be presented to the Lord(NWT-Jehovah’s Witness) Also, when the days for purifying them according to the law of Moses came to the full, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to Jehovah
Textus Receptuskai ote eplhsqhsan ai hmerai tou kaqarismou auths kata ton nomon mwsewV anhgagon auton eiV ierosoluma parasthsai tw kuriw


Hort-Westcottkai ote eplhsqhsan ai hmerai tou kaqarismou autwn kata ton nomon mwusewV anhgagon auton eiV ierosoluma parasthsai tw kuriw
EffectThis is one of the most subtle changes in the New Testament. This change actually attacks the sinless nature of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you will notice all the modern versions state that the days had come to purify them after the birth of Jesus. The modern versions have changed “her” to “them” which does not fit the biblical pattern of the Old Testament. (Lev 12:6-8 KJV) And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: {7} Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. {8} And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.According to the Law of Moses, when a woman gives birth to a male she had a time for purifying of 41 days. She had him circumcised on the eighth day and then was to continue her purification for another thirty three days. (Lev 12:4 KJV) And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. If you will notice in these Levitical Scriptures, there is nothing stated concerning an offering for both child and mother. The sin offering and burnt offering were specifically for the mother, not mother and child.By the modern versions changing “her” to “them or their,” they are teaching that Christ was born with a sin nature. I have looked at some commentaries concerning Luke 2:22 and I was appalled at what some of them accept. Some claim that the word “their” is fine since Christ was to bear the sins of His people. It is true, that He was to bear the sins of His people, but not at that time. He began his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and when He was on the cross, he bore the full brunt of God’s justice in fulfilling the requirements of God’s holy law. There is no way that Christ was born with sin for then He could not have been the sinless Savior but would have been just another human being born in the lineage of Adamic sin. Christ was the second Adam and that is what set Him apart from the sinful human race.Christ did not need to have a sin offering for Him at birth because He was born sinless. Do you see how subtle this major attack on the sinless nature of the Lord Jesus Christ is written in the text? If you were not looking for it, you would glean right over it. Leviticus refutes the teaching in the modern versions that Christ needed to have an atonement made for Him. The Bible teaches in 1 Corinthians 2:13 that we are to compare Scripture with Scripture. (1 Cor 2:13 KJV) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. The Scripture does not compare in the modern versions either. Let us look at Leviticus 12:6-8 in the NIV.(NIV) Leviticus 12:6-8{6}" 'When the days of her purification for a son or daughter are over, she is to bring to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting a year-old lamb for a burnt offering and a young pigeon or a dove for a sin offering. {7} He shall offer them before the LORD to make atonement for her, and then she will be ceremonially clean from her flow of blood. " 'These are the regulations for the woman who gives birth to a boy or a girl. {8} If she cannot afford a lamb, she is to bring two doves or two young pigeons, one for a burnt offering and the other for a sin offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for her, and she will be clean.' " (Luke 2:22 NIV) When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord So if you compare Scripture with Scripture in the NIV, you will see there is no harmony between the scriptures of Leviticus and that of Luke 2:22. This shows a very serious deficiency in the accuracy of the NIV, and this is only one example from this hideous book.In the Greek Textus Receptus which underlies the King James Bible the word is “auths” (autes) which is strictly in the feminine gender but it was changed in the Hort Westcott text to “autwn” (auton) which can be used as a masculine, feminine, or neuter. “Autes” is singular while “auton” is plural. It is plural because it ends in omega nu (wn). So we see it was changed from feminine singular to the plural to make the case of the Gnostics that Jesus was not born sinless but became the Christ at His baptism. This attack on the Lord Jesus Christ finds agreement in the Roman Catholic and Jehovah’s Witness Bible. If you use a modern version, you are in bad company. (2 Cor 6:14 KJV) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? If you use a modern version, you are unequally yoked with unbelievers by means of their translations which means you are in violation of the Scriptures! It is a shame that the majority of Christians will research a mutual fund they want to invest in, check out the history of a car they want to buy, research a neighborhood to live in, but when it comes to God’s Word, they couldn’t care less what they use. This is a sorry indictment upon these Christians and then they ask why God won’t bless them. Think about it!”

23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.

Mary was not sinless and was held to the same requirements for uncleanness of other women.

Leviticus 12:1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a woman have conceived seed, and born a man child: then she shall be unclean seven days; according to the days of the separation for her infirmity shall she be unclean. 3 And in the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 And she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and thirty days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. 5 But if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation: and she shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days. 6 ¶ And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: 7 Who shall offer it before the LORD, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or a female. 8 And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles, or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be clean.

25 ¶ And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.
26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Jesus is “the Lord’s Christ” as in the Lord’s anointed. There is another anointed one; Satan. Christ is a title, Messiah, Anointed One.

Ezekiel 28:14 Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.

A mention again about the two Christ’s, or anointed ones.

Acts 4:24 And when they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things?
26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

There can be a false Christ, and there is. There is a false Christ, a false spirit, a false gospel, and, by extension a false Bible.

2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law,
28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said,
29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:
30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,

Genesis 49:18 I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD.

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Isaiah 49:6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

33 And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.

I am going to insert the work of Dr. Ken Matto here to show you how this verse has been corrupted in the newer translations based on Catholic manuscripts. There are many other students (scholars) of the Bible who have revealed this truth, such as Dr. Ruckman, but I found Dr. Matto’s work to be clear and easily referenced.

From his scionofzion.com site.

“Luke 2:33(KJV) And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him.
(NIV) The child's father and mother marveled at what was said about him. (NASB) And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.(ESV) And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him.(Darby) And his father and mother wondered at the things which were said concerning him. (NWT - Jehovah’s Witnesses) And its father and mother continued wondering at the things being spoken about it(NAB - Roman Catholic) The child’s father and mother were marvelling as what was being said about him

Textus Receptus


Hort-Westcott


EffectIf you notice something about each of these modern versions, they change “Joseph” to “father.” These modern versions have complete agreement with the Roman Catholic and Jehovah’s Witness Bibles. In the Textus Receptus, the proper name Joseph is written but in the HW Greek, the term was changed to “father” which comes from the Sinaiticus manuscript. The effect of changing “Joseph” to “father” will teach that Jesus had an earthly father which completely voids the cardinal doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ. If Joseph was the earthly father of the Lord Jesus, then He would have had to inherit the sin nature which was passed down from Adam. Gnostics teach that all flesh is evil and there is no way that a holy God could dwell in sinful flesh. By removing verses which support the virgin birth, it brings Jesus down to the level of just a human being. If Jesus was born with a sin nature, then He was an unqualified candidate for atonement for the sins of His people and therefore we Christians are still in our sins. In the second century, a heretic named Marcion disqualified Matthew, Mark, and John as being legitimate gospels and held only that Luke was authentic. However, he tended to make changes in the book of Luke to fit his Gnostic beliefs and may have been the one who changed the text from “Ἰωσὴφ” (Joseph) to “πατὴρ” (father). Nevertheless, whoever changed it, it remained that way for sixteen hundred years, resurrected in the 19th century, and has been accepted by unbelieving modern scholarship and given credence by Christians who use these modern versions without doing any investigation of the version they use.When trying to understand the subject of the corruption of the modern versions, you must understand it as thousands of small corruptions such as the one we just saw rather than a few large corruptions. If Satan used large and obvious corruptions, then Christians would not accept it but Satan knows that the easiest way to corrupt and derail Christianity is by subtlety through the back door. It is easier to make smaller encroachments through the back door than a major frontal assault. The NIV is the most corrupted of the modern versions yet is used by more Christians and churches than ever before.

Corrupted Manuscripts
This verse is corrupted in the following manuscripts:
Aleph 01 - Sinaiticus - Fourth centuryB 03 - Vaticanus - Fourth century
D 05 - Bezae Cantabrigiensis - Fifth century
L 019 - Eighth century
W 032 - Fourth/fifth century
1 (miniscule) - Seventh century
700 - (Miniscule) Eleventh century “



34 And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against;

Christ’s resurrection, the greatest sign from God in history, has been spoken against by more people than any other. The Gospel of John is even attacked by Christians.

35 (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

36 And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser: she was of a great age, and had lived with an husband seven years from her virginity;

Here is another of several occasions of women who are prophetesses. This irks many fundamentalists who view women as no more than a baby making pack animal. Women preached of the resurrection first. Women can preach because to prophesy doesn’t mean to just tell the future but to tell what God has said. When the Old Testament prophets were prophesying they weren’t just making it up, they were telling others what God had said to them.

When a women prophesies she is doing what a man does, she is prophesying. Unfortunately , in America, churches that have women Pastors are usually very liberal.

2Kings 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

2Chronicles 34:22 And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.

Obviously, women can lead a country and prophesy as per Deborah and Huldah. This is apparently not against God’s word.

So, in context, the admonitions by Paul that a woman is not to speak in church have to do with the early Christian gift of tongues which died out with the Apostles.

For the man:

1Corinthians 14:28 But if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.

For the woman;

1Corinthians 14:34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

Woman are to learn at home from their husbands as he is the head of the family and directly answerable to Christ for his family’s education, something which has been wrongly removed by modern Christians with Sunday School taking the husband’s place, just as the government’s welfare has taken the church’s place for social welfare. Women are to teach their children, not other men.

1Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Of course, this requires Christian men to be Christian men and not Christian babies. If they aren’t doing their job of reading the Bible over and over it is hard to follow this instruction.

37 And she was a widow of about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
38 And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
39 And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.
40 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Jesus grew as a normal child would grow but with the fact that He was also God, although you can’t tell that doctrine from this verse.

41 ¶ Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.
42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.
43 And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

Once again, from Dr. Ken Matto, on how this verse has been corrupted;

“(KJV) And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.
(1611 KJV) And when they had fulfilled the dayes, as they returned, the childe Iesus taried behind in Hierusalem, and Ioseph and his mother knew not of it.
(1568 Bishop’s Bible) And whe they had fulfilled the dayes, as they returned home, the chylde Iesus abode styll in Hierusalem: & Ioseph and his mother knewe not of it.
(1560 Geneva Bible) And had finished the dayes thereof, as they returned, the childe Iesus remained in Hierusalem, and Ioseph knew not, nor his mother,

Counterfeit Versions
(NIV) After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.
(NASV) and as they were returning, after spending the full number of days, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But His parents were unaware of it,
(THE MESSAGE) When it was over and they left for home, the child Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents didn't know it.
(AMP) And when the Feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this,
(NLT) After the celebration was over, they started home to Nazareth, but Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t miss him at first,
(ESV) And when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
(CEV) After Passover his parents left, but they did not know that Jesus had stayed on in the city.
(NCV) After the feast days were over, they started home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
(1901 ASV) and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and his parents knew it not;
(NLV) When the days of the special supper were over, they started back to their town. But the boy Jesus was still in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it.
(HCSB) After those days were over, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents did not know it.
(RSV) and when the feast was ended, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it,
(NAB-Roman Catholic) After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
(NWT) After they had completed its days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it.
　
Textus Receptus
kai teleiwsantwn taV hmeraV en tw upostrejein autouV upemeinen ihsouV o paiV en ierousalhm kai ouk egnw iwshj kai h mhthr autou

Hort-Westcott
kai teleiwsantwn taV hmeraV en tw upostrejein autouV upemeinen ihsouV o paiV en ierousalhm kai ouk egnwsan oi goneiV autou

Corrupted Manuscripts
This verse is corrupted in the following manuscripts:
Aleph 01 - Sinaiticus - Fourth centuryB 03 - Vaticanus - Fourth century
D 05 - Bezae Cantabrigiensis - Fifth century
L 019 - Seventh century
33 (Miniscule) - Ninth Century
038 - (Majuscule) Ninth century

Affected Teaching
This verse is brother to Luke 2:33. (Luke 2:33 KJV) And Joseph and his mother marvelled at those things which were spoken of him. It is very important to understand that God has written the Bible very meticulously and nothing is there which does not belong there. God specifically makes a point in Luke 2:33 and 43 that Joseph was not the earthly father of the Lord Jesus Christ. If Joseph was the earthly father of the Lord Jesus Christ that would completely nullify the Virgin birth and that would also mean the Lord Jesus Christ was not born sinless and therefore would be disqualified as being the Savior. The modern versions all claim that Joseph was the father of Jesus in Luke 2:33 and in this verse they lump Joseph and Mary as His parents. Jesus was born totally apart from any earthly father. The Holy Spirit came upon Mary and she conceived and thus the Virgin birth of Christ. The modern versions, because of Gnostic influence, have attempted to diminish the reality of the Virgin Birth which was absolutely necessary for salvation to be effectual. Do not fall for the idea that words in the Bible are not important and that only concepts are. God wrote the Bible in words and not concepts. Whenever words are tampered with, in any venue, meanings become changed and clouded. This is what leads to nebulous Bible passages with ill-defined understanding instead of the very specifics which God wrote in which engenders clear understanding. (Psa 138:2 KJV) I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Once again the King James brings glory to God. “

44 But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.
45 And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.
46 And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.
47 And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

There is a lot of preaching material about how we will be questioned at the judgment seat of Christ as Christians and how we will be astonished.

Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
2Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

48 And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.
49 And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Notice how Jesus corrected Mary. If Joseph had been His father His business would have been in the carpenter shop, not the temple. This is the first recorded speech of Christ.

John 4:34 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

John 6:38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

50 And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.
51 And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
52 And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

In the New Testament, at least, as well as in much of the old, a Christian can gain much understanding if he views the references to God as of God the Father. Jesus grew and was well liked by people and blessed by God the Father. Every man, like God, has three parts; the body or image by which we interact with the physical universe, the soul or self identity and all that implies including creative ability, and the spirit which is man’s vehicle by which he can know God. Only in God, those three parts can operate independently of each other and still be God.

Our spirit is the vehicle through which God knows us, as well.

Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

Our three parts;

1Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Who is the Lord Jesus Christ, God the Son, or the Only Begotten Son of God, God in the flesh;

2Corinthian 4:4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

He is God and by His blood we were saved;

1John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Here is confirmation of God’s three parts;

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

2 Corinthians 13:14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

1John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Latest Reading

America's Great Depression, by Murray N. Rothbard, Ludwig Von MisesInstitute, Auburn, Alabama, 1963. This is the most inciteful history ofthe Great Depression I have ever read. It is remarkable in its clarityand in its references. Hoover interfered in a way that was unheard ofin American history in an attempt to reverse the economic fortunes ofthe country and, yet, left it in ruins. Many of the statements made atthat time could have come right out of today's headlines. It makes youwonder if we aren't repeating history, although there are a great manydifferences between the world situation then and today, as well as inour own economic infrastructure. Its worth a read for the seriousstudent of history.

Numbers, chapters 3 & 4

Chapter 3

1 ¶ These also are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that the LORD spake with Moses in mount Sinai.
2 And these are the names of the sons of Aaron; Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests which were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office.
4 And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the sight of Aaron their father.
5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
6 Bring the tribe of Levi near, and present them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister unto him.
7 And they shall keep his charge, and the charge of the whole congregation before the tabernacle of the congregation, to do the service of the tabernacle.
8 And they shall keep all the instruments of the tabernacle of the congregation, and the charge of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.
9 And thou shalt give the Levites unto Aaron and to his sons: they are wholly given unto him out of the children of Israel.
10 And thou shalt appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall wait on their priest’s office: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
11 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
12 And I, behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn that openeth the matrix among the children of Israel: therefore the Levites shall be mine;
13 Because all the firstborn are mine; for on the day that I smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I hallowed unto me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast: mine shall they be: I am the LORD.

The Levites are a substitute human offering to God, substituting for the firstborn in Israel. While every Christian is a type of the nation of Israel they are also a type of the Levite, serving the Lord and coming into contact with Him in a way that the average Hebrew did not in those days.

1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

14 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying,
15 Number the children of Levi after the house of their fathers, by their families: every male from a month old and upward shalt thou number them.
16 And Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.
17 And these were the sons of Levi by their names; Gershon, and Kohath, and Merari.
18 And these are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families; Libni, and Shimei.
19 And the sons of Kohath by their families; Amram, and Izehar, Hebron, and Uzziel.
20 And the sons of Merari by their families; Mahli, and Mushi. These are the families of the Levites according to the house of their fathers.
21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimites: these are the families of the Gershonites.
22 Those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, even those that were numbered of them were seven thousand and five hundred.
23 The families of the Gershonites shall pitch behind the tabernacle westward.
24 And the chief of the house of the father of the Gershonites shall be Eliasaph the son of Lael.
25 And the charge of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation shall be the tabernacle, and the tent, the covering thereof, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
26 And the hangings of the court, and the curtain for the door of the court, which is by the tabernacle, and by the altar round about, and the cords of it for all the service thereof.
27 And of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, and the family of the Izeharites, and the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites: these are the families of the Kohathites.
28 In the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were eight thousand and six hundred, keeping the charge of the sanctuary.
29 The families of the sons of Kohath shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle southward.
30 And the chief of the house of the father of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel.
31 And their charge shall be the ark, and the table, and the candlestick, and the altars, and the vessels of the sanctuary wherewith they minister, and the hanging, and all the service thereof.
32 And Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be chief over the chief of the Levites, and have the oversight of them that keep the charge of the sanctuary.
33 Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites, and the family of the Mushites: these are the families of Merari.
34 And those that were numbered of them, according to the number of all the males, from a month old and upward, were six thousand and two hundred.
35 And the chief of the house of the father of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail: these shall pitch on the side of the tabernacle northward.
36 And under the custody and charge of the sons of Merari shall be the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and the sockets thereof, and all the vessels thereof, and all that serveth thereto,
37 And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords.
38 But those that encamp before the tabernacle toward the east, even before the tabernacle of the congregation eastward, shall be Moses, and Aaron and his sons, keeping the charge of the sanctuary for the charge of the children of Israel; and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
39 All that were numbered of the Levites, which Moses and Aaron numbered at the commandment of the LORD, throughout their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty and two thousand.
40 ¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Number all the firstborn of the males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names.
41 And thou shalt take the Levites for me (I am the LORD) instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the children of Israel.

The Levites were a substitute for the firstborn. The Levite can also be a type of Christ.

Hebrews 7:15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest,

42 And Moses numbered, as the LORD commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel.
43 And all the firstborn males by the number of names, from a month old and upward, of those that were numbered of them, were twenty and two thousand two hundred and threescore and thirteen.
44 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
45 Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of their cattle; and the Levites shall be mine: I am the LORD.

The Levites are substitutes for the firstborn of Israel. Each is in type, the other. Christ, God’s only begotten Son (too bad, Alexander the Great), is a type of each Christian and each Christian, “little Christ”, is a type of Christ. Each Christian is a type of the nation of Israel, which God called His firstborn back in Exodus 4, and also a type of the Levites the type of the firstborn of the people. A Christian should pay attention to God’s expectations of the Levites in principle, if not in practice, as we are not under the Law as they were.

Christ is our Law.

46 And for those that are to be redeemed of the two hundred and threescore and thirteen of the firstborn of the children of Israel, which are more than the Levites;
47 Thou shalt even take five shekels apiece by the poll, after the shekel of the sanctuary shalt thou take them: (the shekel is twenty gerahs:)
48 And thou shalt give the money, wherewith the odd number of them is to be redeemed, unto Aaron and to his sons.
49 And Moses took the redemption money of them that were over and above them that were redeemed by the Levites:
50 Of the firstborn of the children of Israel took he the money; a thousand three hundred and threescore and five shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:
51 And Moses gave the money of them that were redeemed unto Aaron and to his sons, according to the word of the LORD, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Chapter 4

1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
2 Take the sum of the sons of Kohath from among the sons of Levi, after their families, by the house of their fathers,
3 From thirty years old and upward even until fifty years old, all that enter into the host, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.

It’s interesting to note that service was from 30 to 50.

4 This shall be the service of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation, about the most holy things:
5 And when the camp setteth forward, Aaron shall come, and his sons, and they shall take down the covering vail, and cover the ark of testimony with it:
6 And shall put thereon the covering of badgers’ skins, and shall spread over it a cloth wholly of blue, and shall put in the staves thereof.

This must have been impressive.

7 And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:
8 And they shall spread upon them a cloth of scarlet, and cover the same with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put in the staves thereof.
9 And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
10 And they shall put it and all the vessels thereof within a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put it upon a bar.
11 And upon the golden altar they shall spread a cloth of blue, and cover it with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put to the staves thereof:
12 And they shall take all the instruments of ministry, wherewith they minister in the sanctuary, and put them in a cloth of blue, and cover them with a covering of badgers’ skins, and shall put them on a bar:
13 And they shall take away the ashes from the altar, and spread a purple cloth thereon:
14 And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers’ skins, and put to the staves of it.
15 And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear it: but they shall not touch any holy thing, lest they die. These things are the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.
16 And to the office of Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest pertaineth the oil for the light, and the sweet incense, and the daily meat offering, and the anointing oil, and the oversight of all the tabernacle, and of all that therein is, in the sanctuary, and in the vessels thereof.

Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit.

1Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Incense is a type of prayer.

Psalm 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

Meat, offered daily, is our flesh which must be daily mortified to keep it from getting control of us and demanding its way in gluttony or fornication until we are destroyed.

Romans 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

The flesh applies to the desires of our mind, as well.

Ephesians 2:3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

17 And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
18 Cut ye not off the tribe of the families of the Kohathites from among the Levites:
19 But thus do unto them, that they may live, and not die, when they approach unto the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in, and appoint them every one to his service and to his burden:
20 But they shall not go in to see when the holy things are covered, lest they die.
21 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
22 Take also the sum of the sons of Gershon, throughout the houses of their fathers, by their families;
23 From thirty years old and upward until fifty years old shalt thou number them; all that enter in to perform the service, to do the work in the tabernacle of the congregation.
24 This is the service of the families of the Gershonites, to serve, and for burdens:
25 And they shall bear the curtains of the tabernacle, and the tabernacle of the congregation, his covering, and the covering of the badgers’ skins that is above upon it, and the hanging for the door of the tabernacle of the congregation,
26 And the hangings of the court, and the hanging for the door of the gate of the court, which is by the tabernacle and by the altar round about, and their cords, and all the instruments of their service, and all that is made for them: so shall they serve.
27 At the appointment of Aaron and his sons shall be all the service of the sons of the Gershonites, in all their burdens, and in all their service: and ye shall appoint unto them in charge all their burdens.
28 This is the service of the families of the sons of Gershon in the tabernacle of the congregation: and their charge shall be under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
29 As for the sons of Merari, thou shalt number them after their families, by the house of their fathers;
30 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old shalt thou number them, every one that entereth into the service, to do the work of the tabernacle of the congregation.
31 And this is the charge of their burden, according to all their service in the tabernacle of the congregation; the boards of the tabernacle, and the bars thereof, and the pillars thereof, and sockets thereof,
32 And the pillars of the court round about, and their sockets, and their pins, and their cords, with all their instruments, and with all their service: and by name ye shall reckon the instruments of the charge of their burden.
33 This is the service of the families of the sons of Merari, according to all their service, in the tabernacle of the congregation, under the hand of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest.
34 ¶ And Moses and Aaron and the chief of the congregation numbered the sons of the Kohathites after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
35 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation:
36 And those that were numbered of them by their families were two thousand seven hundred and fifty.
37 These were they that were numbered of the families of the Kohathites, all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, which Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
38 And those that were numbered of the sons of Gershon, throughout their families, and by the house of their fathers,
39 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,
40 Even those that were numbered of them, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers, were two thousand and six hundred and thirty.
41 These are they that were numbered of the families of the sons of Gershon, of all that might do service in the tabernacle of the congregation, whom Moses and Aaron did number according to the commandment of the LORD.
42 And those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, throughout their families, by the house of their fathers,
43 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that entereth into the service, for the work in the tabernacle of the congregation,
44 Even those that were numbered of them after their families, were three thousand and two hundred.
45 These be those that were numbered of the families of the sons of Merari, whom Moses and Aaron numbered according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
46 All those that were numbered of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron and the chief of Israel numbered, after their families, and after the house of their fathers,
47 From thirty years old and upward even unto fifty years old, every one that came to do the service of the ministry, and the service of the burden in the tabernacle of the congregation,
48 Even those that were numbered of them, were eight thousand and five hundred and fourscore.
49 According to the commandment of the LORD they were numbered by the hand of Moses, every one according to his service, and according to his burden: thus were they numbered of him, as the LORD commanded Moses.

I just can’t figure out what the significance of these numbers would be for me. There is obviously, if the way I view the Bible is correct an importance about everything that is said, perhaps prophetically. But, at this point, for me it would be pure speculation. Every burden, every assignment, every word has eternal significance to me.

Latest Reading

SHAME, Confessions of the Father of the Neutron Bomb, by Sam Cohen, Xlibris Corporation, 2000. This book cost me $80 but was worth it to see this pioneer of our nuclear weapons program and the inventor of the Neutron Bomb as well as the main proponent for battlefield nuclear weapons speak out. The book is written like he is talking to you over coffee so don't expect a heavily footnoted scholarly piece. This man was there, not only working in developing the Atom Bomb but all through our nuclear race against the Soviets. He makes some bold claims like every president since WWII acting traitorously towards the safety and welfare of the people by their nuclear policies and explains in detail the compassion behind the Neutron Bomb's development after seeing the utter destruction of Seoul, Korea during the conflict there in the early 1950's. He also mocks our intelligence services' competence. Now, he raises the terror level some degrees at the end of the book explaining how Russia probably has baseball sized mini-neutron bombs. He's quirky and irreverent but there is no question that Sam Cohen is foremost a great patriot. This is really an important read for anyone wanting to know what went on in the Cold War.

Latest Reading

The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States by Benjamin F. Morris, American Vision, Powder Springs, Ga. originally published in 1864. I know I am supposed to view this work as diehard proof that this nation was founded on Christian principles and with Christian based insitutions. I do. It is truly a thorough 1,060 page document displaying page after page of speech, constitution, law, government mandated prayer, excerpts from letters, speeches, and other papers that show that our founders intended this to be a Christian nation. The so called establishment clause referred only to the federal government's power and not to the states and the separation of church and state is a myth based on a letter written by Thomas Jefferson to some Baptists. However, that being said, this was written as a propaganda piece during the Civil War to vilify the South and to promote the cause of the Federal Government and the Northern States, some of whom had recently discussed secession themselves, as being a righteous and holy cause, the only righteous and holy cause. So, this book serves better as a propaganda piece rather than as an impartial history of the founding of America's civil institutions. This "big church" type of Christianity certainly did found the upper reaches of American government but without the Baptist demand for civil liberties and for a separation of government powers and religious responsibility there would have been no Bill of Rights (see Pastor John Leland's demands on James Madison). In any event, I don't like this book. It tells the truth but colors it in a certain way and brushes over with broad strokes certain pertinent and unsettling facts that underscore that there would have been no freedom of religion and conscience if some of the very same people uplifted by this book had had their way. Still, it can be a nice reference work since there is so little commentary on the evidence it brings out. Its just troubling in what evidence is used. In that regard it is no better than that rag, The New York Times, or that piece of trash, Time Magazine, in taking the facts and presenting them in such a way as to leave one with the feeling that they've been mugged. Sorry, to my fellow conservatives and libertarians, its not a good book for your arguments.

Latest Reading

The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, The Best Short Works of Richard P. Feynman, foreword by Freeman Dyson, edited by Jeffrey Robbins. Helix Books, Perseus Books, Cambridge, Mass. 1999. This is a very interesting collection where Feynman, one of the brain trust that gave us the Atom Bomb and a Nobel Prize winner, describes what he believes and how he believes it. Considered one of the most brilliant minds in our nation's history and certainly a beloved teacher, he explains himself easily to the unlearned like myself. His inconsistencies philosophically are troubling but are a great help in helping me to understand the modern scientist who is vastly different from the great scientists like Newton and Kepler, Faraday and Lavoisier or Von Leewenoek (sp?) of the past. This is a very interesting book and I recommend it to anyone interested in science. His arguments regarding science versus religion are very enlightening. Recently, a poll was reported that showed that a full 50% of people questioned in the UK and America did not believe in Evolution. I think, in Feynman's book you can understand why modern science has failed to convert that 50% to accept its anti-God theories and beliefs. This book is certainly worth taking the time to read. I imagine he was a fascinating man to know and a terrific teacher, just based on his enthusiasm alone.

Numbers, chapters 1 & 2, a brief look

Chapter 1

1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,
2 Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls;
3 From twenty years old and upward, all that are able to go forth to war in Israel: thou and Aaron shall number them by their armies.

A census is called.

4 And with you there shall be a man of every tribe; every one head of the house of his fathers.
5 And these are the names of the men that shall stand with you: of the tribe of Reuben; Elizur the son of Shedeur.
6 Of Simeon; Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
7 Of Judah; Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

Matthew 1:4 And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;

Jesus’ descent through Mary.

8 Of Issachar; Nethaneel the son of Zuar.
9 Of Zebulun; Eliab the son of Helon.
10 Of the children of Joseph: of Ephraim; Elishama the son of Ammihud: of Manasseh; Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
11 Of Benjamin; Abidan the son of Gideoni.
12 Of Dan; Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
13 Of Asher; Pagiel the son of Ocran.
14 Of Gad; Eliasaph the son of Deuel.
15 Of Naphtali; Ahira the son of Enan.
16 These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

The heads of the families were well known, presiding over thousands. Now, you might ask what the purpose was for all of these names to be put in the Bible, which part is for our admonition and learning.

1Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

These names mean something, I am sure, and that without going to the Hebrew meanings, something which is not apparent to us from the English. (The Hebrew meanings of names and their importance in prophecy has been brought out by many authors in their listing of the pre-Flood names of those sons of Adam.) However, anything that is not apparent in the English text is of little use to the average Christian, for whom the Bible was written. It was not written for scholars or for Hebrew and Greek linguists, but for every day, run of the mill Christians, who must live in Christ each day. So, look for meaning in the English text.

17 ¶ And Moses and Aaron took these men which are expressed by their names:
18 And they assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second month, and they declared their pedigrees after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, by their polls.
19 As the LORD commanded Moses, so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.
20 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;

Twenty years old seems to be an age of accountability. This is worthy of note.

21 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
22 Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, 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;
23 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Simeon, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
24 Of the children of Gad, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
25 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Gad, were forty and five thousand six hundred and fifty.
26 Of the children of Judah, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
27 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Judah, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
28 Of the children of Issachar, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
29 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
30 Of the children of Zebulun, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
31 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
32 Of the children of Joseph, namely, of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
33 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand and five hundred.
34 Of the children of Manasseh, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
35 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
36 Of the children of Benjamin, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
37 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
38 Of the children of Dan, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
39 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
40 Of the children of Asher, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
41 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Asher, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.
42 Of the children of Naphtali, throughout their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;
43 Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
44 ¶ These are those that were numbered, which Moses and Aaron numbered, and the princes of Israel, being twelve men: each one was for the house of his fathers.
45 So were all those that were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war in Israel;
46 Even all they that were numbered were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

One can only wonder if there is significance to this number for the end of history. We’ll find out but the thought is intriguing.

47 ¶ But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not numbered among them.
48 For the LORD had spoken unto Moses, saying,
49 Only thou shalt not number the tribe of Levi, neither take the sum of them among the children of Israel:
50 But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all things that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle, and all the vessels thereof; and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about the tabernacle.
51 And when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites shall take it down: and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the Levites shall set it up: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.
52 And the children of Israel shall pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own standard, throughout their hosts.
53 But the Levites shall pitch round about the tabernacle of testimony, that there be no wrath upon the congregation of the children of Israel: and the Levites shall keep the charge of the tabernacle of testimony.
54 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so did they.


Chapter 2

1 ¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,
2 Every man of the children of Israel shall pitch by his own standard, with the ensign of their father’s house: far off about the tabernacle of the congregation shall they pitch.
3 ¶ And on the east side toward the rising of the sun shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch throughout their armies: and Nahshon the son of Amminadab shall be captain of the children of Judah.
4 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and fourteen thousand and six hundred.
5 And those that do pitch next unto him shall be the tribe of Issachar: and Nethaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Issachar.
6 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred.
7 Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun.
8 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred.
9 All that were numbered in the camp of Judah were an hundred thousand and fourscore thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies. These shall first set forth.
10 On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur.
11 And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred.
12 And those which pitch by him shall be the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.
13 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.
14 Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel.
15 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty.
16 All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies. And they shall set forth in the second rank.
17 Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites in the midst of the camp: as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards.
18 On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud.
19 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred.
20 And by him shall be the tribe of Manasseh: and the captain of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.
21 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred.
22 Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni.
23 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred.
24 All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.
25 The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.
26 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.
27 And those that encamp by him shall be the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ocran.
28 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred.
29 Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan.
30 And his host, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
31 All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred. They shall go hindmost with their standards.
32 These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty.

Here’s the total repeated again, which, if divided by 365 days would equal about 1790 years. I just threw that in, not knowing if there is any significance to it.

33 But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses.
34 And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.

I believe there is some important significance to these names and numbers which I am unable to fathom with regard to prophecy. Perhaps God would open my eyes to it at some time.