Numbers 26 40

Numbers 26:40 kjv

And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.

Numbers 26:40 nkjv

And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.

Numbers 26:40 niv

The descendants of Bela through Ard and Naaman were: through Ard, the Ardite clan; through Naaman, the Naamite clan.

Numbers 26:40 esv

And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the clan of the Ardites; of Naaman, the clan of the Naamites.

Numbers 26:40 nlt

These were the subclans descended from the Belaites: The Ardites, named after their ancestor Ard.
The Naamites, named after their ancestor Naaman.

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 40 Meaning

This verse precisely details a specific lineage within the tribe of Asher, essential for the second census of Israel. It states that the original Uzzi had a son named Arah, and among Arah's sons was another named Uzzi. This line then constituted a distinct family known as the Arahites. The repetition of the name Uzzi highlights familial naming practices, establishing a clear line of descent and the formation of a recognized family unit for the purpose of the census and future land inheritance.

Numbers 26 40 Context

Numbers chapter 26 presents the second census of the Israelites, conducted on the plains of Moab before their entry into Canaan. This enumeration primarily served to determine the number of fighting men (those 20 years and older) available for the conquest of the Promised Land, and crucially, to establish the basis for the equitable distribution of land. Each tribal and familial unit, such as the Arahites mentioned in verse 40, was counted and their strength recorded to ensure that land was allotted proportionally according to their numerical strength. This census highlighted God's faithfulness in preserving and multiplying His people, even after severe judgments and decades of wilderness wandering, emphasizing His unwavering commitment to the Abrahamic covenant. Genealogies were critical in ancient Israel for establishing identity, social structure, tribal affiliations, and legitimate claims to land inheritance.

Numbers 26 40 Word analysis

• The sons of Uzzi were Arah;: This phrase establishes the immediate paternal lineage, stating Arah as a direct son of Uzzi. "Uzzi" (עֻזִּי - Uzzî) is a Hebrew name meaning "my strength" or "strong one," indicating an inherent quality or a reliance on divine strength. "Arah" (אֶרַח - ’Eraḥ) is a proper name, whose precise etymology is debated but found consistently in Israelite genealogies.
• and the sons of Arah were Uzzi,: This is a key point in the verse. It indicates that one of Arah's sons was also named Uzzi. This is not a logical error or a textual redundancy, but a common practice in ancient Near Eastern and Israelite naming conventions where ancestral names were reused within families, perhaps to honor an elder, strengthen family ties, or reflect specific blessings/hopes. This specific "Uzzi" is distinct from the first Uzzi mentioned as Arah's father.
• of whom was the family of the Arahites.: This final part clarifies that the distinct family unit recognized by the census derives its name from Arah. The term "family" (מִשְׁפַּחַת - mishpaḥath) denotes a significant clan or sub-division within a tribe. It represents a collectivity descended from a common ancestor (here, Arah) and functions as the primary unit for tribal organization, military conscription, and the division of ancestral lands.
• Uzzi... Arah... Uzzi... Arahites: This sequence of names functions as a clear, condensed genealogical record. It efficiently traces a specific branch within the Asherite tribe, from an original progenitor (Uzzi) through his son (Arah), identifying a prominent descendant (another Uzzi), and culminating in the recognized family unit (the Arahites) who would participate in the upcoming land distribution. This precision was crucial for legal and administrative purposes.

Numbers 26 40 Bonus section

• The meticulous nature of this genealogical entry and the entire census in Numbers 26 serves as an early testimony to the Israelite people's profound regard for accurate records of lineage, especially vital for preserving tribal claims to land and heritage over centuries. This contrasts with societies where such detailed records might be less emphasized.
• The subsequent appearances of the "sons of Arah" in Ezra 2:5 and Nehemiah 7:10 (as returning exiles) powerfully underscore the historical continuity and divine preservation of these specific family lines, demonstrating how foundational census records in Numbers contributed to the Israelites' enduring identity, even after generations of dispersion and foreign rule.

Numbers 26 40 Commentary

Numbers 26:40 is a specific, seemingly minor detail within the larger genealogical and numerical census of Israel. Its significance lies not in a grand theological statement, but in its role within the meticulous record-keeping of God's chosen people. It demonstrates the meticulous detail God provided for ordering and governing His nation. The specific identification of the Arahites, stemming from Uzzi through Arah, illustrates the importance of lineage for tribal identity and the divine arrangement for the allocation of the Promised Land. The textual nuance of the repeated "Uzzi" highlights a cultural practice of ancestral naming, showing the continuity and interconnectedness within families across generations. This verse, therefore, contributes to the overall picture of a divinely ordered society, fulfilling the promises of multitude to Abraham and meticulously preparing for the next stage of Israel's covenant history.