Numbers 26 38

Numbers 26:38 kjv

The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:

Numbers 26:38 nkjv

The sons of Benjamin according to their families were: of Bela, the family of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites;

Numbers 26:38 niv

The descendants of Benjamin by their clans were: through Bela, the Belaite clan; through Ashbel, the Ashbelite clan; through Ahiram, the Ahiramite clan;

Numbers 26:38 esv

The sons of Benjamin according to their clans: of Bela, the clan of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the clan of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the clan of the Ahiramites;

Numbers 26:38 nlt

These were the clans descended from the sons of Benjamin: The Belaite clan, named after their ancestor Bela.
The Ashbelite clan, named after their ancestor Ashbel.
The Ahiramite clan, named after their ancestor Ahiram.

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 38 Meaning

Numbers 26:38 details the primary family divisions of the tribe of Benjamin, specifically listing three of Benjamin's sons—Bela, Ashbel, and Ahiram—and the corresponding family groups (clans) that descended from them. This verse serves as part of the meticulous census recorded on the plains of Moab, which registered the fighting men of the new generation ready to enter and inherit the promised land. It underscores God's orderliness, the importance of lineage for tribal identity and land inheritance, and the fulfillment of His covenant promises through the growth and preservation of Israel.

Numbers 26 38 Context

Numbers chapter 26 records the second comprehensive census of Israelite males twenty years old and upward, capable of military service, conducted on the plains of Moab before entering the Promised Land. This census followed the disastrous plague at Peor and contrasts sharply with the first census taken at Sinai in Numbers 1. The primary purpose was to ascertain the strength of the new generation, ensure orderly inheritance and land distribution based on tribal numbers (Num 26:52-56), and prepare for the impending conquest of Canaan. Verse 38, specifically, falls within the detailed enumeration of each tribe's families, highlighting the meticulous care God required for the identification and organization of His people, fulfilling His covenant promises of multitude. It signifies the continuity of Israel's tribal structure and identity from the patriarchal promises through the wilderness journey to the land.

Numbers 26 38 Word analysis

• The sons of Benjamin: Hebrew: בְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִן֮ (bə·nê ḇin·yā·min). "Benei" means "sons of." Benjamin (בִּנְיָמִין, Binyamin) literally means "son of the right hand" or "son of good fortune," a name given by Jacob, contrasting with "Ben-oni" (son of my sorrow) given by his dying mother Rachel (Gen 35:18). This youngest son of Jacob founded one of the twelve tribes. The careful enumeration of his descendants here, especially after the tribe's near decimation in Judges 20, highlights God's faithfulness in preserving lineages for the future. The tribe of Benjamin held a strategic position in Israel, historically producing leaders like King Saul and the Apostle Paul, underscoring its continued significance.

• by their families: Hebrew: לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֙ (lə·miš·pə·ḥō·ṯām). "L'mishp'chotam" means "according to their families/clans." The Hebrew word mishpachah (מִשְׁפָּחָה) denotes a family, clan, or kindred, indicating a subdivision of a tribe. This emphasizes the hierarchical and organized structure of Israelite society—from tribe to clan to individual household—essential for land allocation, military organization, and judicial processes in ancient Israel. This highlights the covenant God made with Abraham regarding his "offspring" being numerous (Gen 12:7), materialized through structured families.

• of Bela, the family of the Belaites;

  • Bela: בֶּ֚לַע (Be·la‘). Means "devouring" or "swallowing." He was the firstborn son of Benjamin (Gen 46:21). The repetition of the name in the tribal census across different generations (compare with 1 Chron 7:6-7) affirms the established genealogical links, crucial for proving one's identity and claim to tribal land.
  • the Belaites: הַבַּלְעִ֔י (hab·bal·‘î). This is a gentilic form, signifying "those of Bela" or "belonging to Bela." It confirms the lineage and established clan identity under this patriarch.

• of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites;

  • Ashbel: וּמֵאַשְׁבֵּל֙ (ū·mê·’aš·bêl). One of Benjamin's sons (Gen 46:21; 1 Chron 7:6). The name's etymology is debated, possibly "man of Baal" or "fire of Baal," though contextually, it simply serves as a personal name within the genealogies. If it contains a "Baal" element, it might predate the specific pejorative connotations or merely be an ancient naming convention unrelated to specific Baal worship as condemned later. The very inclusion in the divinely ordained census for the Israelite community implies that its ancient usage did not preclude one's inclusion in God's people.
  • the Ashbelites: הָאַשְׁבֵּלִ֔י (hā·’aš·bê·lî). Similarly, designates the descendants belonging to Ashbel.

• of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites;

  • Ahiram: וּמֵאֲחִירָם֙ (ū·mê·’ă·ḥî·rām). This son is listed as "Aharah" (אַחֲרַח) in 1 Chron 8:1 and potentially as "Ehi" in Gen 46:21, suggesting scribal variants or different names/forms of the same individual, which is not uncommon in ancient genealogies. The name likely means "my brother is high/exalted" or "high brother."
  • the Ahiramites: הָאֲחִרָמִ֑י (hā·’ă·ḥî·rā·mî). Denotes the descendants of Ahiram, reinforcing the distinct family units.

Numbers 26 38 Bonus section

• The number of Benjamin's fighting men recorded in this census (45,600, Num 26:41) was a decrease compared to the first census (59,700, Num 1:37). This reduction, shared by several other tribes (e.g., Reuben, Gad, Ephraim, Simeon), could be attributed to the natural rigors of the wilderness journey, various divine judgments (like Korah's rebellion, to which Simeonites and others were particularly susceptible, and the plague at Peor, which notably impacted Simeon), or a combination of factors. However, the purpose was still achieved: the registration of those fit for the land.
• The meticulous detailing of the family heads in Numbers 26 for each tribe reveals the importance of knowing one's lineage in Israel. It confirmed a person's legitimate membership in the nation, their claim to a tribal land inheritance, and their status within the community. This foundational aspect of Israelite life later became critical for maintaining religious and social order, preventing usurpation, and authenticating priests and kings, ultimately foreshadowing the importance of Jesus's precise genealogy as the promised Messiah.
• The tribal identity remained paramount throughout Israelite history, from the united monarchy under Saul (himself a Benjamite) and David, through the divided kingdom, and even into the post-exilic period (Ezra, Nehemiah) and the New Testament era (Paul). God consistently ensured the preservation of His tribal structure as part of His ongoing plan.

Numbers 26 38 Commentary

Numbers 26:38, though a brief genealogical entry, is profoundly significant within the biblical narrative. It emphasizes God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people and maintaining their distinct tribal identities despite the challenges of wilderness wandering and previous judgments. This careful enumeration of "families" or clans from Benjamin underscores the meticulous divine provision for the precise distribution of land in Canaan, where inheritance was strictly tied to tribal and family lineage. Each listed family represented a landholding unit. Moreover, the re-census signifies a transition—a new generation emerging from the shadows of the old generation's rebellion and death. For Benjamin, this meant reaffirming its place among the tribes despite its smaller numbers relative to some other tribes. This ordered accounting prepared them physically and structurally for the fulfillment of God's promise, showcasing His ongoing sovereignty and meticulous care for every part of His people. The inclusion of these names, like "Ashbel," even if they contain potentially problematic ancient linguistic elements, reflects God's embrace of all legitimate descendants of Jacob into His chosen nation, signifying that His covenant grace extended beyond perfect purity of nomenclature to include the very individuals and families within His design.