Thousand
Textsâš¡ IN BRIEF (SUMMARY)
The Hebrew noun 'eleph functions as a numeral for one thousand and a collective noun for a clan or military unit, appearing frequently in ancient Near Eastern texts to quantify populations and resources.
What is the meaning of Thousand in the Bible?
The Hebrew noun 'eleph functions as a numeral for one thousand and a collective noun for a clan or military unit, appearing frequently in ancient Near Eastern texts to quantify populations and resources.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Understanding the dual usage of 'eleph as both a number and a social unit clarifies discrepancies in biblical population counts and reveals the organizational structure of ancient Israelite society.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
- Why did the biblical author mention Thousand in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Thousand clarify?
Source Attribution & Provenance
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been editorially modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and formatted for fast contextual reference.