Numbers 26 35

Numbers 26:35 kjv

These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.

Numbers 26:35 nkjv

These are the sons of Ephraim according to their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites; of Becher, the family of the Bachrites; of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.

Numbers 26:35 niv

These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: through Shuthelah, the Shuthelahite clan; through Beker, the Bekerite clan; through Tahan, the Tahanite clan.

Numbers 26:35 esv

These are the sons of Ephraim according to their clans: of Shuthelah, the clan of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the clan of the Becherites; of Tahan, the clan of the Tahanites.

Numbers 26:35 nlt

These were the clans descended from the sons of Ephraim: The Shuthelahite clan, named after their ancestor Shuthelah.
The Bekerite clan, named after their ancestor Beker.
The Tahanite clan, named after their ancestor Tahan.

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 35 Meaning

Numbers 26:35 details the specific clans descending from Ephraim, one of Jacob's grandsons through Joseph. This verse identifies Shuthelah, Becher, and Tahan as the progenitors of distinct family units (clans) within the tribe of Ephraim, foundational for their identity, organization, and the subsequent division of the land of Canaan. It underscores God's meticulous care in fulfilling His covenant promises through structured and identifiable lineage.

Numbers 26 35 Context

This verse is situated within Numbers chapter 26, which details the second census of Israel. This census was conducted in the plains of Moab, on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, about forty years after the first census at Sinai (Numbers 1). Unlike the first census which counted the generation that largely perished in the wilderness due to rebellion (Numbers 14, 25), this second enumeration focused on the new generation, those who would inherit the land. Its primary purpose was to organize the Israelites for land allocation (each tribe and clan's inheritance was proportionate to its numbers) and for military readiness. Historically, it signifies God's faithfulness to His covenant despite the failures of the previous generation, preparing a new, disciplined community for the promised inheritance. For the original audience, understanding their specific clan was paramount for knowing their identity, social standing, and rightful share in Canaan.

Numbers 26 35 Word analysis

• These: Refers specifically to the individuals immediately following, directly establishing the chain of lineage.

• are the sons of Ephraim: In Hebrew, "בְּנֵי אֶפְרָיִם" (Benei Ephrayim). "Benei" (בְּנֵי) denotes "sons of" but broadly includes "descendants of," indicating the direct male line forming the core family units. "Ephraim" (אֶפְרַיִם), meaning "fruitful," highlights the fulfillment of Jacob's prophetic blessing (Gen 48:19) that Ephraim would become a great multitude. This lineage provided legal claim and tribal identity.

• by their clans: In Hebrew, "לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם" (lemishp'ḥotam). "Mishpachah" (מִשְׁפָּחָה) means clan, family, or subdivision of a tribe. This term is crucial, as land inheritance was distributed to these family units, ensuring order and equity within the tribal structure. It indicates the primary organizational unit below the tribe.

• of Shuthelah: שׁוּתֶלַח (Shuthelach). Listed as a direct son of Ephraim in Gen 46:20 and 1 Chr 7:20. He is a primary progenitor of a significant clan within Ephraim.

• the clan of the Shuthelahites: "מִשְׁפַּחַת הַשֻּׁתַלְחִי" (Mishpaḥat ha-Shuthelchi). This clearly designates the entire lineage descending from Shuthelah as a specific, recognized clan. The name morphs into a descriptive identifier for the entire group.

• of Becher: בֶּכֶר (Becher). Listed as a son of Ephraim in Gen 46:20. While a different Becher is a son of Benjamin (Gen 46:21), here it clearly refers to Ephraim's descendant. This is further evidence of God's precision in tracking distinct lineages.

• the clan of the Becherites: "מִשְׁפַּחַת הַבַּכְרִי" (Mishpaḥat ha-Bachri). Designates the family unit descended from Becher.

• of Tahan: תַּחַן (Tachan). Also listed as a son of Ephraim in Gen 46:20.

• the clan of the Tahanites: "מִשְׁפַּחַת הַתַּחְנִי" (Mishpaḥat ha-Tachni). Designates the family unit descended from Tahan.

• Words-group analysis: The repetitive phrase "of [Son's Name], the clan of the [Son's Name]-ites" emphasizes the precise and exhaustive nature of this genealogical record. This structure serves not only as a factual listing but also legally validates each clan's identity and its future claim to the land, reinforcing order and divine attention to detail within the Israelite community.

Numbers 26 35 Bonus section

The prominence of Ephraim, detailed early in its foundational clans, foreshadows its later significant, though often tumultuous, role in Israelite history. It became the dominant tribe in the northern kingdom, sometimes even becoming a byword for the whole northern kingdom. The meticulous enumeration of these families in the census underscores that every single part of God's people is important in His grand redemptive plan, whether for earthly inheritance or spiritual promise. The preservation of specific clan names across generations despite the forty-year wilderness journey highlights the enduring nature of the Israelite identity as divinely appointed and maintained.

Numbers 26 35 Commentary

Numbers 26:35, though seemingly a simple list, carries profound theological weight. It serves as concrete evidence of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Jacob had prophetically declared Ephraim's fruitfulness (Gen 48:19), and this census, detailing the flourishing clans, literally confirms that prophecy in motion. Each name is a testament to God’s preserving power, raising a new generation prepared for the inheritance, unlike their fathers who perished in disobedience. It reflects God’s orderly nature, ensuring that His people are structured not for chaos but for the meticulous division and management of the Promised Land. This meticulous recording contrasts sharply with pagan deities often depicted as capricious or uncaring about the individual or the meticulous organization of their people. For Israel, this established identity and belonging, underscoring that their future as a nation, sustained and guided by God, was built on an ordered, recognized lineage.