Numbers 26 14

Numbers 26:14 kjv

These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.

Numbers 26:14 nkjv

These are the families of the Simeonites: twenty-two thousand two hundred.

Numbers 26:14 niv

These were the clans of Simeon; those numbered were 22,200.

Numbers 26:14 esv

These are the clans of the Simeonites, 22,200.

Numbers 26:14 nlt

These were the clans of Simeon. Their registered troops numbered 22,200.

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 14 Meaning

Numbers 26:14 precisely details three primary family clans descended from Gad: the Zephonites, Haggites, and Shunites. This verse is part of the second census of Israel, recording the nation's renewed composition after the wilderness wanderings, as they prepare to inherit the Promised Land according to their ancestral lineages. It serves as a vital genealogical record ensuring accurate land distribution and reaffirming the continuity of God's covenant with the specific tribes and their descendants.

Numbers 26 14 Context

Numbers chapter 26 records the second census of the Israelites, taken in the plains of Moab just before they entered the Promised Land. This census occurs roughly 38 years after the first census in Numbers chapter 1, and crucially, it counts the new generation that has emerged after the previous generation, except for Joshua and Caleb, perished in the wilderness due to their disobedience and unbelief (Numbers 14:28-30). The primary purpose of this meticulous numbering was to organize the allocation of the land of Canaan, where each tribe and its families would receive an inheritance based on their numbers (Numbers 26:52-56). Verse 14, specifically, is a short, direct entry identifying some of the key family lines within the tribe of Gad, ensuring that their specific identity and claim to their portion of the promised inheritance is accurately recorded. The meticulous nature of this record underlines God's faithfulness in bringing His people into the land He promised, organizing them with order and justice.

Numbers 26 14 Word analysis

• Of Gad:
  • Hebrew: גָּד (Gad). Means "troop" or "fortune." Gad was the seventh son of Jacob, born to Zilpah, Leah's servant (Gen 30:10-11). The tribal identity originates from him.
  • Significance: This explicitly connects the families listed back to their tribal patriarch, affirming their position within the covenant nation of Israel. The inclusion signifies their legitimate claim as part of the people of God, destined for inheritance.
• the family of:
  • Hebrew: מִשְׁפַּחַת (mishpachat). This term signifies a clan or sub-division within a larger tribe. It refers to a patriarchal unit or an extended family, tracing descent from a common ancestor who is a son or grandson of the tribal head.
  • Significance: Highlights the precise hierarchical and genealogical structure of Israelite society. The census isn't just about tribes but delves into the distinct clans that compose them, reflecting an organized social structure necessary for land distribution and societal governance. It indicates that divine provision and blessing would extend down to these specific family units.
• Zephon:
  • Hebrew: צְפוֹן (Tsephon). In Genesis 46:16, one of Gad's sons is listed as "Ziphion" (צִפְיוֹן - Tziphion). This variation in spelling (Zephon/Ziphion) is common in biblical genealogies and refers to the same family line. The name could be related to "north" or "observation."
  • Significance: Points to the first identifiable sub-clan stemming from Gad, serving as their ancestral head for their descendants' registration in the census. Its variation in spelling across texts is a minor orthographical difference that does not alter the underlying identity of the family line.
• Haggi:
  • Hebrew: חַגִּי (Chaggi). Meaning "festive" or "my feast." This name directly corresponds to one of Gad's sons in Genesis 46:16.
  • Significance: Marks another distinct patriarchal line, contributing to the tribe's total count. The retention of this name across generations affirms the continuity and authenticity of their lineage.
• Shuni:
  • Hebrew: שׁוּנִי (Shuni). Meaning "rest" or "quiet." Also listed as a son of Gad in Genesis 46:16.
  • Significance: Identifies the third clan-head mentioned in this verse. The inclusion of these specific names demonstrates the Bible's meticulous recording of historical and genealogical facts, which were crucial for the social, legal, and theological framework of ancient Israel, particularly concerning land possession.

Words-group analysis:

• "Of Gad, the family of Zephon, of Haggi, of Shuni": This precise enumeration of "families" or clans within the tribe of Gad serves multiple purposes. It validates the genealogical continuity from the initial entry into Egypt (Genesis 46:16) to the cusp of entering the Promised Land. This careful record-keeping underpins the future land distribution (Num 26:52-56), demonstrating God's orderly provision and the meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promises to multiply Abraham's descendants and give them a land, identifying each component unit within that great nation. The detail highlights divine knowledge of each individual and clan within His people.

Numbers 26 14 Bonus section

• Purpose of Dual Censuses: The contrast between the census in Numbers 1 (for military service and camp organization) and Numbers 26 (for land inheritance) reveals the multi-faceted nature of God's command to "number" His people. Each census served a specific, critical purpose in preparing Israel for their unique identity and role in the promised land, whether as warriors or landholders.
• God's Remembering: The act of listing each family demonstrates God's remembering of His people down to their specific clans. This level of detail emphasizes His personal knowledge and care for the constituent parts of His chosen nation, ensuring that no family would be forgotten in the distribution of the land.
• Fulfilled Prophecy: This systematic record-keeping contributes to the overarching theme of God's covenant fulfillment. The genealogies serve as irrefutable proof of the expansion and establishment of Israel, embodying the promises made centuries earlier to Abraham concerning his numerous descendants and their possession of the land.

Numbers 26 14 Commentary

Numbers 26:14, though seemingly a dry list of names, is deeply significant. It underscores the divine faithfulness in preserving the tribal structures of Israel despite 40 years of wilderness wandering and the demise of an entire generation. This meticulous accounting of "families" or clans, descending from the sons of Gad, confirms their legitimate standing as the inheritors of God's promises concerning the land of Canaan. It assures that God's plan unfolds with precision and order, not chaos, as each clan is accounted for its rightful share. The verse highlights the foundational importance of lineage and identity in God's covenant with Israel, laying the groundwork for the distribution of territory according to numerical strength and ancestral rights, demonstrating God’s methodical approach to fulfilling His ancient promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.