Numbers 26 25

Numbers 26:25 kjv

These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.

Numbers 26:25 nkjv

These are the families of Issachar according to those who were numbered of them: sixty-four thousand three hundred.

Numbers 26:25 niv

These were the clans of Issachar; those numbered were 64,300.

Numbers 26:25 esv

These are the clans of Issachar as they were listed, 64,300.

Numbers 26:25 nlt

These were the clans of Issachar. Their registered troops numbered 64,300.

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 25 Meaning

This verse identifies the descendants of Zelophehad within the tribe of Manasseh, specifically highlighting that he had no sons but only daughters. It then names these five daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Within the context of a tribal census primarily focused on male heads of households for military service and land allocation, this seemingly simple genealogical statement is profound. It foreshadows a pivotal legal development concerning inheritance rights, as these daughters, lacking male heirs, will later approach Moses and secure an unprecedented ruling from God, allowing daughters to inherit their father's land if there are no sons, thus preserving family lineage and tribal inheritance within the promised land.

Numbers 26 25 Context

Numbers 26:25 is situated within the comprehensive second census of the Israelites, conducted in the plains of Moab before their entry into the Promised Land. This census, occurring almost forty years after the first one at Sinai (Exo 38), serves several crucial purposes: to number all men twenty years and older who were fit for war, to account for the new generation that would inherit the land, and to establish the basis for the tribal distribution of the land according to the size of each family. Chapters 26:52-56 specifically detail that the land will be divided by lot according to the listed family names, with larger groups receiving larger portions.

Within this patriarchal framework where inheritance typically followed male lines, verse 25 is an anomaly. By explicitly noting Zelophehad's lack of sons and the existence of his daughters by name, it deviates from the standard listing of male heads of households. This serves as a critical textual foreshadowing and prepares the reader for the significant legal petition presented by these daughters in the following chapter (Numbers 27:1-11) and the subsequent ruling (Numbers 36:1-12), which revolutionized inheritance law in Israel by granting women the right to inherit in the absence of male heirs, provided they married within their tribe. This reflects God's attention to fairness and justice, ensuring that all faithful families would receive their promised portion. Historically, land ownership was central to identity, status, and sustenance in the ancient Near East, making this divine ruling particularly progressive.

Numbers 26 25 Word analysis

• These (אֵלֶּה - 'elleh): A demonstrative pronoun. In census contexts, it introduces the lineage being enumerated or concludes a section. Here, it transitions from a general tribal listing to a specific, unique family within Manasseh.
• are the families (מִשְׁפְּחֹת - mishpechot): From 'mishpacha', meaning "family," "clan," or "kindred." It refers to the basic social and economic unit beyond the immediate household, crucial for identity and land division.
• of Zelophehad (צְלָפְחָד - Tzelafchad): A male Israelite from the tribe of Manasseh (Num 26:29-30). His name likely means "first-born" or "shadow of fear." His significance comes not from himself but from the legal dilemma posed by his lack of sons.
• and Manasseh (מְנַשֶּׁה - Menasheh): Meaning "causing to forget." Son of Joseph and one of the two half-tribes given major land portions in Canaan. His descendants are a major focus of the census, setting the stage for Zelophehad's family's role.
• had no sons (בָּנִים אֵין - banim ein): "Banim" refers to "sons" or "male children," "ein" means "no" or "there is not." This explicit statement is the crux of the verse, highlighting the unique predicament of Zelophehad's household regarding patrilineal inheritance.
• but daughters (כִּי בָנוֹת - ki banot): "Ki" acts as an adversative conjunction, "but." "Banot" means "daughters." This contrasts directly with the preceding phrase, underscoring the gender of his offspring as the key factor.
• and these (וְאֵלֶּה - ve'elleh): "Ve" (and) connects the naming of the daughters to the preceding statement, providing the crucial details.
• are the names (שְׁמוֹת - shemot): From "shem," meaning "name" or "reputation." Names in the Bible often carried significance. Listing names individualizes these women within a collective census, acknowledging their personal agency.
• of the daughters (בְּנוֹת - benot): Reinforces the focus on female lineage.
• of Zelophehad (צְלָפְחָד - Tzelafchad): Repeated for clarity and emphasis on their relationship to their father, whose family lineage faced being extinguished.
• Mahlah (מַחְלָה - Machlah): Potentially meaning "sickness" or "infirmity," or possibly related to "dance." Her name could represent a challenge overcome or a quality of movement.
• and Noah (וְנֹעָה - veNo'ah): Meaning "movement," "motion," or "to sway." Could signify resilience or adaptability.
• Hoglah (חָגְלָה - Choglah): Meaning "partridge." The partridge is a bird known for its evasive flight and resourcefulness, perhaps signifying shrewdness.
• Milcah (מִלְכָּה - Milkah): Meaning "queen" or "counsel." A name suggesting nobility, leadership, or authority, perhaps a foreshadowing of their initiative.
• and Tirzah (וְתִרְצָה - veTirtzah): Meaning "pleasantness," "delight," or "favor." This name is also associated with a significant Canaanite city that later became an Israelite capital, perhaps hinting at their role in securing land.

• "These are the families of Zelophehad; and Manasseh had no sons, but daughters": This phrase introduces a legal anomaly within a typical census. It signals a departure from the male-centric enumeration, drawing specific attention to Zelophehad's household. The fact that the divine instruction led to recording this deviation underlines its importance, paving the way for the daughters' groundbreaking appeal.
• "and these are the names of the daughters of Zelophehad, Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah": The explicit listing of their individual names, rather than a generic statement about "his daughters," dignifies these women and marks them as unique, pivotal figures. It highlights that the resolution of their inheritance issue would impact not just "some daughters" but specific individuals known by God and their community, thereby providing legal and social continuity for a distinct branch of Manasseh.

Numbers 26 25 Bonus section

The individual meanings of the daughters' names (Mahlah: "sickness/dance"; Noah: "motion"; Hoglah: "partridge"; Milcah: "queen/counsel"; Tirzah: "delight/pleasantness") are sometimes explored for potential symbolic connections to their story. While not directly stated in the text, it's intriguing to consider how "Milcah" (queen) and "Tirzah" (delight) might reflect their eventual successful advocacy, bringing a just outcome that would have been "delightful" and elevated their status. Their persistence and resourcefulness, much like the elusive partridge (Hoglah), were certainly traits that served them well in securing their inheritance. Their entire case underscores a vibrant understanding of God's law as dynamic and adaptable to new circumstances, always striving towards a more comprehensive application of justice and faithfulness to His promise of land for all Israelite families who trusted in Him. Their legacy serves as a biblical model for approaching existing laws with wisdom and faith, trusting that God's will includes fairness for all His people.

Numbers 26 25 Commentary

Numbers 26:25 is far more than a simple genealogical entry; it is a foundational verse that underpins a significant legal precedent in ancient Israel. In the context of the second census, which primarily concerned itself with male fighting strength and patriarchal inheritance lines for land distribution, the explicit declaration that "Manasseh had no sons, but daughters" is a purposeful anomaly. This detail directly sets the stage for the narrative in Numbers 27 and 36, where Zelophehad's daughters boldly petition Moses, highlighting their plight: without male heirs, their father's family name and land portion would vanish.

God's swift and just response, mandating that daughters could inherit land in the absence of sons, showcased His commitment to equitable provision and preserving familial lines. This ruling, elaborated further regarding their need to marry within their tribe to prevent land alienation (Num 36), not only resolved a specific family's dilemma but established a crucial principle of justice, expanding women's rights to property and agency within the divinely established legal system. Their inclusion in Joshua's land division further solidifies the impact of their faith and God's progressive revelation of justice, teaching generations about persistence in seeking righteousness and God's concern for the vulnerable.