These were the renowned of the congregation, princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.

These are the most noble princes of the multitude by their tribes and kindreds, and the chiefs of the army of Israel:

These were those summoned of the assembly, princes of the tribes of their fathers, the heads of the thousands of Israel.

These are those called of the company, princes of the tribes of their fathers; they are heads of the thousands of Israel.

These are the men named out of all the people, chiefs of their fathers' houses, heads of the tribes of Israel.

These were the elect of the congregation, the princes of the tribes of their fathers; they were the heads of the thousands of Israel.

These are those who were called of the congregation, the leaders of the tribes of their fathers; they were the heads of the thousands of Israel.

These are the very noble leaders of the multitude, by their tribes and kinships, and the heads of the army of Israel.

Hi sunt nobilissimi synagogae, principes tribuum patrum suorum: capita millium Israelis erant.

These were the renowned - Literally, the called, of the congregation - those who were summoned by name to attend. The order of the tribes In the above enumeration may be viewed thus: -
Sons of Leah
1. Reuben
2. Simeon
3. Judah
4. Issachar
5. Zebulun
Sons of Rachel
6. Ephraim
7. Manasseh
8. Benjamin
1st son of Bilhah, Rachel's maid
9. Daniel
2d son of Zilpah, Leah's maid
10. Asher
1st son of Zilpah.
11. Gad
2d son of Bilhah.
12. Naphtali

These [were] the renowned of the congregation, (e) princes of the tribes of their fathers, heads of thousands in Israel.
(e) Or captains, and governors.

These were the renowned of the congregation,.... The most famous and eminent among the people, for their birth and pedigree, or for their excellent qualities of wisdom, courage, and the like; or "the called of the congregation" (d), whom God had called by name and selected from the rest of the congregation to the above service, whereby great honour was done them: Aben Ezra says, the sense is, that the congregation did nothing until they had called them; with which agrees the note of Jarchi,"who were called to every business of importance in the congregation:"
princes of the tribes of their fathers; as Elizur was prince of the children of Reuben, Numbers 7:30; the same is there said of the rest in their respective tribes:
heads of thousands in Israel; the congregation of Israel being divided into thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, by the advice of Jethro, Exodus 18:21; each of these divisions had a ruler over them, and thousands being the highest number, these princes were chiliarchs, rulers or heads of thousands.
(d) "convocati coetus", Montanus, Drusius; "convocati e coetu", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

These were the renowned--literally, "the called" of the congregation, summoned by name; and they entered upon the survey the very day the order was given.