Numbers 26 44

Numbers 26:44 kjv

Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.

Numbers 26:44 nkjv

The sons of Asher according to their families were: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites; of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites; of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.

Numbers 26:44 niv

The descendants of Asher by their clans were: through Imnah, the Imnite clan; through Ishvi, the Ishvite clan; through Beriah, the Beriite clan;

Numbers 26:44 esv

The sons of Asher according to their clans: of Imnah, the clan of the Imnites; of Ishvi, the clan of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the clan of the Beriites.

Numbers 26:44 nlt

These were the clans descended from the sons of Asher: The Imnite clan, named after their ancestor Imnah.
The Ishvite clan, named after their ancestor Ishvi.
The Beriite clan, named after their ancestor Beriah.

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 44 Meaning

Numbers 26:44 presents a concise record of the specific family divisions within the tribe of Asher. As part of the second census taken in the plains of Moab, this verse precisely identifies the direct descendants of Asher—Jimna, Ishvi, and Beriah—and names the distinct family clans (Jimnites, Ishvites, and Beriites) that sprang from them. This detailed enumeration underscores God's meticulous care for His people, ensuring an organized framework for tribal identity, military readiness, and the precise allocation of land inheritance within the Promised Land for each clan of the new generation.

Numbers 26 44 Context

Numbers 26:44 is part of a comprehensive national census commanded by the Lord to Moses and Eleazar in the plains of Moab. This census follows a devastating plague (Numbers 25), which concluded the forty years of wandering and brought the demise of the disobedient generation who rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea. The new generation, poised to enter the Promised Land, required precise organization. This specific verse, like others in Numbers 26, functions as a genealogical record, establishing the clear lineage and distinct family units within the tribe of Asher. This meticulous detailing of family lines was critical for several reasons: it demonstrated God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise of making Abraham's descendants numerous despite previous failures, it provided a basis for military conscription, and most importantly, it established the framework for the equitable distribution of the land of Canaan, ensuring that each ancestral family received its designated inheritance by lot, proportionate to its registered population. The repetition of the pattern "of [son], the family of the [X]-ites" across the chapter emphasizes this precise, organized structure vital for their identity and future settlement.

Numbers 26 44 Word analysis

• These (אֵ֣לֶּה, ’elleh): This demonstrative pronoun serves as an emphatic introduction, directing immediate attention to the subsequent list of family divisions. In the census, it functions as a pointer to the specific, actual counted units.
• are the sons of Asher (בְּנֵי־אָשֵׁר, bᵉnê-’Āshēr):
  • sons (בְּנֵי, bᵉnê): Denotes male descendants who form the foundational patriarchal line, leading to the establishment of the named family clans. It confirms a direct, bloodline continuity.
  • Asher (אָשֵׁר, ’Āshēr): Meaning "happy" or "blessed" (from Gen 30:13, where Leah names him). This name carries a prophetic resonance for the tribe's future prosperity in the fertile coastal plains of Canaan (Deut 33:24), signifying divine favor upon his lineage.
• according to their families (לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם, lᵉmishpᵉḥōṯām):
  • families (מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֖ם, mishpachah): This term refers to a significant social and administrative unit within a tribe—a clan, often comprising several households. It highlights the structured and hierarchical organization of Israelite society, essential for managing land, military, and governance.
• of Jimna (לְיִמְנָ֕ה, lᵉYimnāh): Refers to the first son of Asher, Imnah (Gen 46:17; 1 Chr 7:30). The initial "of" (לְ, le) signifies association or belonging.
• the family of the Jimnites (מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ הַיִּמְנָ֔ה, mishpaḥat hayyimnāh): This precise phrasing directly connects the progenitor (Jimna) to the specific, identifiable clan (Jimnites) bearing his name. The definite article "the" (הַ, ha) further emphasizes the distinct and established identity of this familial unit, highlighting order and administrative detail in God's plan for Israel.
• of Ishvi (לְיִשְׁוִ֕י, lᵉYishwî): Another son of Asher (Gen 46:17; 1 Chr 7:30).
• the family of the Ishvites (מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ הַיִּשְׁוִ֔י, mishpaḥat hayyishwî): Establishes the clan named after Ishvi, mirroring the preceding pattern.
• of Beriah (לִבְרִיעָ֑ה, livrî‘āh): The third listed son of Asher (Gen 46:17; 1 Chr 7:30).
• the family of the Beriites (מִשְׁפַּ֙חַת֙ הַבְּרִיעָֽה, mishpaḥat habbᵉrî‘āh): Identifies the clan descending from Beriah. It is noteworthy that Beriah is also shown to have sons of his own in Num 26:45, suggesting sub-clans within this larger "Beriite" family, indicating further detailed internal structure within the tribal census.

Words-group analysis

• "These are the sons of Asher according to their families...": This introductory phrase underscores the census's focus on ancestral lineage and organized family units, rather than merely counting individuals. It reinforces the divine pattern for identifying and structuring the people of Israel as a corporate body with distinct, identifiable parts.
• "of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites; of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the family of the Beriites": The repeated grammatical structure ("of X, the family of the X-ites") consistently identifies the direct ancestral head of each primary family clan within the tribe. This reiteration serves to solidify each clan's unique identity, hereditary claims, and designated role within the greater tribal structure, affirming an ordered, divinely established social framework crucial for their upcoming settlement in the land. It also demonstrates God's administrative detail in preparing a covenant people for their inheritance.

Numbers 26 44 Bonus section

• The emphasis on "families" (מִשְׁפָּחָה, mishpachah) throughout Numbers 26 is crucial. This term refers not just to a household but a significant clan, an extended kinship group. It shows that land would be allocated by these substantial groups, reflecting a collectivist rather than purely individualistic societal structure at this time.
• The naming of the specific "Jimnites," "Ishvites," and "Beriites" solidifies the link between the historical individuals and the ongoing corporate identity of the families in the present generation. This practice preserved historical memory and established legitimate claims to future land allocations.
• While the previous generation’s disobedience resulted in their demise, God's covenant with Abraham—to make him a great nation—remained unbroken and was visibly confirmed by the growth and clear organization of these family lines ready to enter Canaan. This verse serves as a quiet but powerful testament to God's persistent and precise fulfillment of His promises, regardless of human sin.

Numbers 26 44 Commentary

Numbers 26:44 is a snapshot of God's enduring faithfulness and meticulous order amidst human failings. It highlights the continued prosperity and precise structure of the Israelite people, represented here by the tribe of Asher, a generation born in the wilderness but destined for the Promised Land. This verse demonstrates the divine preservation of specific family lineages for the purpose of maintaining identity, assigning responsibility, and fulfilling the promise of a land inheritance based on proportional family strength. The very act of naming these distinct families—the Jimnites, Ishvites, and Beriites—shows that God's plan involves intricate detail, ensuring that every part of His people is accounted for and has its place and purpose within the covenant community. It provides comfort that despite generations passing and circumstances changing, God's intentions for His people are consistent and meticulously fulfilled.