For those of you (including myself) who have some knowlege of the Hebrew alphabet and wonder how ‘caph’ can represent the number 500, we have to know something of the numerical system of the Hebrew alphabet. Here is a short course …
Maybe this will not matter to anyone but you, Huiou Theou.
God’s peace
Neat, except for two things:
The numbering system including 500 didn’t exist as far as I can tell until 300+ years after Christ; Eg: Hillel the II’nds time. So your correction only works for copies of the Hebrew which are after that time. (It might work for Mechron Mamre’s copy of the Massoretic text…) (And possibly, depending on St. Jeromes choice – the Vulgate…)
However, there is a second problem:
The Septuagint, predates the 4th century.
In the Greek, I have a copy stating:
Numbe 3:22 η επισκεψις αυτων κατα αριθμον παντος αρσενικου απο μηνιαιου και επανω η επισκεψις αυτων επτακισχιλιοι και
πεντακοσιοι
Penta represents 5… not three. (eg: 7000 + 500)
It’s possible the LXX text I have was changed to match the Hebrew in the 4th century – but that’s
terribly unlikely.
Now, You might want to search the DSS as well, and see if their version of Hebrew has the same as the newer; The DSS predates Hillel the II as well being 150+ years before Christ’s time. So, it couldn’t mistake 500 for 300 – and if it still says 500, well … that’s proof positive.
I’ll let this point drop, and let you pursue it.
On the issue of the 12 tribes, which is tied to the topic through the substitution of Levi for all other tribes; There is more to say…
Moses was apparently Aarons younger brother. So Aaron would have been born before the edict to sacrifice Hebrew boys in the river. This explains why Aaron was alive, and also closes off any notion that only the firstborn were to be sacrificed by Pharaoh to the river (god.).
The genealogy of Moses can be found in Exodu 6:16-20. Aaron, being older, is listed first. Their Fathers, Kohath ( ??? Kohen ??? ), and Amram bar Kohath, indicate how their tribe was accounted in Numbers 3:19 and Numbers 3:29. (I was puzzled by this earlier…) They specifically camped to the south, and were entrusted with the Ark itself – which is the highest honor.
But the full tribe did not also camp to the East – eg: where the tent faced (away from Egypt.); Moses and Aaron are supposed to have been eastward – BUT the numbering of Moses and Aaron is in the census would, I think, be in the south camp.
With regard to the 13th tribe…
Eprhaim and Manassa were both from Joseph; Joseph’s noteriety is that he was sent into Egypt as a slave (400 years? hence?), and there established his tribe. His position is something to be considered when comparing the sacrifice of Egypt and the sacrifices of Israel; and the potential relationship between the Israel’s owing God dedicated sons – and Egypt’s son’s being slain.
Joseph did not marry Hebrew women at the outset; He married Egyptian PRIESTESSES.
However, from studying several texts – I can find no trace of anyone ever calling Josephs offspring two different tribes. Even in the passage you cite, The father is listed first – and then his sons. (No other tribe does this). The passage makes it clear that they had a double portion of governmental power – but not that they were separate tribes; for they are not listed as “fathers” in and of themselves in these lists.
BUT In other places, Manasseh is called a “half tribe” and treated “halfway”;
Joshua 21:6, Numbe 34:13-15, Deute 3:13, 29:8 “και τω ημισει φυλης μανασση” etc.
So, although they are used as a “fill” in when Levi is not allowed because of their vicarious sacrifice position – that may have been in deference to Joseph’s ruling position in Egypt; and the scribes were clearly attempting to preserve a list of “12” tribes in all situations (a convoluted accounting method).
Consider, every tribe had a Gate into the temple – And yet, there is no quadruple gate – only 4 triple gates. 4 northerly, easterly, southerly, and westward. 4x3 =12.
Again, in Revelation – it is 12x12x1000 = 144,000; indicating the magnification of 12 tribes.
I can find nowhere a 13x13x1000 (169,000) or even a 13 magnified.
There is, to be sure, at least a single place when 13 is used in a figurative tribal symbol; Ezekiel 40:11; but that’s an exception to the rule – and not very convincing in context.
I need to spend a bit more time thinking over the idea of sacrifice, though;
Aaron would be priestly over and above Moses as he is the elder, but there are many things not quite clear about the passover…
I still find something distinctly incoherent about the reasoning of animals vs. humans in dedication and sacrifice – given the prototype of the passover in Egypt. But, I’ll let the idea settle in my mind first before presenting it…
Your brother in Christ,
–Andrew.
