Numbers 16:2 - On the noun אֲנָשִׁים

(The above rendering comes from the RJPS translation, an adaptation of the NJPS translation. Before accounting for this rendering, I will analyze the plain sense of the Hebrew term אִישׁ—in this case, its plural form אֲנָשִׁים—by employing a situation-oriented construal as outlined in this introduction, pp. 11–16.)

In this instance, the situating noun אֲנָשִׁים is employed in a prototypical manner, as the head of a referring expression. As such, it labels an essential participant—one whose involvement defines the situation of interest. At the same time, by regarding its referent in terms of the overall situation, אֲנָשִׁים directs our attention to that situation. Meanwhile, it regards its referent as a plural entity.

The referring expression אֲנָשִׁים מִבְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתָיִם unfolds in two parts. First, an unquantified subgroup is individuated from the larger group, as being essential for grasping the depicted situation. Only then is their quantity stated. This progressive staging of the audience’s attention is apparently necessary in order to bring into focus an astonishing situation: a sizeable rebellion.

Gender is not at issue. Although the reference is to a specific party, the grammatical plural keeps the referential gender vague. That being said, the specified attributes that follow suggest that women are not in view (although the possibility cannot be ruled out entirely).

As for rendering into English, the NJPS rendering “together with two hundred and fifty Israelites” oversimplifies the wording. It short-circuits the Hebrew text’s step-wise windowing of the audience’s attention—as if the text had said וְאֵת חֲמִשִּׁים וּמָאתָיִם אִישׁ. The revised rendering reflects the Hebrew wording more directly.

Because the contemporary audience is likely to correctly infer that women are probably not in view, there is no warrant for a gendered rendering.