וְעַ֨ל־צְבָ֔א מַטֵּ֖ה בְּנֵ֣י יִשָּׂשכָ֑ר נְתַנְאֵ֖ל בֶּן־צוּעָֽר׃
(Numbers 10:15)
Καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς δυνάμεως φυλῆς υἱῶν Ισσαχαρ Ναθαναηλ υἱὸς Σωγαρ (Numbers 10:15 LXX)
The Context: The Camp Sets Out
Numbers 10 describes one of the most significant transitions in the Torah — the departure of Yisraʾel from Mount Sinai. After nearly a year at the mountain, the cloud lifts, and the tribes begin their divinely ordered march through the wilderness.
Verse 15 lists Nethanʾel son of Tsuʿar, leader of the tribe of Yissakhar, as the one “over the host” (or “army”) of his tribe. The precision in this brief record reflects the broader theme of order within obedience — every tribe moves only when and how YHWH commands.
The Hebrew phrase וְעַל־צְבָא מַטֵּה בְּנֵי יִשָּׂשכָר denotes command “over the host of the tribe of the sons of Yissakhar,” where צָבָא implies structured service rather than aggressive warfare. The people are described not as soldiers of conquest but as a divine procession, their movement itself a liturgical act.
From Hebrew Order to Greek Harmony
The Septuagint translator renders the verse with a characteristic balance of literal fidelity and linguistic refinement:
καὶ ἐπὶ τῆς δυνάμεως φυλῆς υἱῶν Ισσαχαρ Ναθαναηλ υἱὸς Σωγαρ — “and over the power of the tribe of the sons of Issachar, Nathanael son of Sogar.”
The translator’s use of δύναμις (“power, force”) instead of a direct equivalent like στρατός (“army”) is significant. It transforms a military term into a spiritualized concept of ordered strength — the “might” of a people under divine command.
The construction ἐπὶ τῆς δυνάμεως mirrors וְעַל־צְבָא precisely, but with a Greek nuance of authority and coordination rather than martial hierarchy. This choice harmonizes with the LXX’s broader translation philosophy in Numbers — avoiding militarization where the Hebrew emphasizes sacred order.
Lexical and Morphological Comparison
| Hebrew Term | Greek Rendering | Grammatical Notes | Translation Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| וְעַל־צְבָא (Preposition עַל + noun צָבָא) | ἐπὶ τῆς δυνάμεως (ἐπὶ + genitive of δύναμις) | Hebrew emphasizes organization under authority; Greek conveys “power” or “force,” implying structured strength. | Dynamic equivalence highlighting order and stability rather than warfare. |
| מַטֵּה (“tribe,” lit. “staff, branch”) | φυλῆς (“tribe”) | Both denote tribal divisions; Hebrew retains metaphorical imagery of lineage (staff or rod). | Formal equivalence preserving social hierarchy. |
| בְּנֵי יִשָּׂשכָר | υἱῶν Ισσαχαρ | Literal alignment; both use genitive constructions of descent. | Direct correspondence maintaining genealogical order. |
| נְתַנְאֵל בֶּן־צוּעָר | Ναθαναηλ υἱὸς Σωγαρ | Names transliterated faithfully. LXX adjusts צוּעָר → Σωγαρ for Greek phonetic ease. | Phonetic adaptation maintaining identity within Hellenized syntax. |
Translation Style and Theological Implications
The brevity of Numbers 10:15 belies its theological depth. Each tribal leader’s naming is a statement of divine order and faithfulness. The Hebrew narrative continues the theme of covenantal precision — YHWH’s people do not wander aimlessly but journey under command.
The Greek translation reinforces this by using smoother syntax and elevated diction. The LXX presents the encampment as a reflection of cosmic order**, where every tribe, every leader, and every movement mirrors heaven’s harmony.
The substitution of δύναμις for στρατός in particular embodies a theological stance: Israel’s true “power” lies not in arms, but in obedience.
The Names as Windows into Purpose
The name נְתַנְאֵל (Nethanʾel) means “God has given,” and his father’s name צוּעָר (Tsuʿar) means “small” or “humble.” Their pairing expresses a recurring biblical paradox: divine gift emerging from humility. The leader of Yissakhar’s camp thus symbolizes strength through submission, echoing the tribe’s later reputation for wisdom and discernment (cf. 1 Chr 12:32).
Echoes of the Text
Though brief, this verse participates in the grand choreography of Israel’s wilderness journey — a people of twelve tribes, twelve leaders, twelve encampments, all moving under divine direction.
The Hebrew stresses the visible structure of obedience, while the Greek adds a tone of sacred order and strength.
Together they remind the reader that divine leadership is never chaotic; it is appointed, deliberate, and sanctified.
The mention of Nethanʾel son of Tsuʿar stands as a testament that even the smallest names in Scripture form part of the larger design — where every movement, every leader, and every march reflects the will of God.
