Numbers 26 46

Numbers 26:46 kjv

And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.

Numbers 26:46 nkjv

And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.

Numbers 26:46 niv

(Asher had a daughter named Serah.)

Numbers 26:46 esv

And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.

Numbers 26:46 nlt

Asher also had a daughter named Serah.

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 46 Meaning

Numbers 26:46 records "the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah." This brief verse is a specific entry within the second census of Israel, conducted on the plains of Moab before their entry into Canaan. It serves to identify a female descendant of the tribe of Asher by name, an uncommon occurrence in such genealogical lists, highlighting her specific individual identity and presence within the Israelite lineage during a pivotal period of generational transition. Her inclusion underscores a continuity of lineage and God's recognition of individual members within His covenant people, even within patriarchal societal structures.

Numbers 26 46 Context

Numbers chapter 26 details the second census of the Israelites, conducted after the wilderness wandering generation had largely perished due to their disobedience and rebellion against God. This census was taken on the plains of Moab, on the brink of their entry into the promised land of Canaan. Its primary purposes were to determine the number of eligible fighting men (those twenty years old and upward), to establish the basis for the distribution of the land among the tribes by lot according to their size, and to confirm the new generation designated for the inheritance. Unlike the first census in Numbers 1, this later enumeration occasionally includes explicit mention of female individuals or provides legal frameworks for women's inheritance (as seen with Zelophehad's daughters), reflecting the growing importance of precise lineage for land tenure and national identity. Numbers 26:46 stands out because Serah, daughter of Asher, is the only female identified by name as an original descendant of a tribal patriarch in this comprehensive census list. This specific inclusion is a significant detail in a document predominantly focused on male heads of households.

Numbers 26 46 Word analysis

• The name: The Hebrew word is shem (שֵׁם). In biblical context, a name often signifies identity, character, and essence. To mention one's name in a genealogical or census record like this emphasizes recognition and individuality. This is not just a statistical count, but a record of lives.
• of the daughter: The Hebrew word is bat (בַּת). Her identity as a "daughter" highlights her female lineage. In a heavily patriarchal society and genealogical record primarily tracing male lines, the explicit inclusion of a female's identity, especially the sole one directly linked to a tribal head, is noteworthy. It signals that she held a particular significance within the tribe of Asher.
• of Asher: Asher (אָשֵׁר) was one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Genesis 30:13). His name means "happy" or "blessed." He is the progenitor of one of the tribes of Israel. This phrase identifies Serah as a direct descendant of the tribal founder, tying her immediately to the foundational history of Israel.
• was Serah: The Hebrew name is Serah (שֶׂרַח). Its precise meaning is debated but often associated with concepts of "abundance," "superfluity," or "prominence." She is one of the few women of the earliest patriarchal families mentioned individually, and her longevity is traditionally emphasized. Serah is mentioned three times in the Torah (Gen 46:17; Num 26:46; 1 Chr 7:30), marking her as a significant figure. Her enduring presence through generations from Jacob's entry into Egypt until the time of Moses on the threshold of Canaan underscores a deep spiritual and historical continuity.

• "the name of the daughter...was Serah": This phrase specifically singles out Serah among the hundreds of thousands of people counted in the census. While the census predominantly enumerates males able to bear arms, Serah is uniquely identified. This choice to name her indicates a significant purpose. It is speculated that she was an essential link in the oral tradition, particularly related to the fulfillment of prophecies, such as confirming Joseph's survival to Jacob or later guiding Moses to Joseph's bones (Exod 13:19). This highlights God's particular attention to preserving His promises and the individuals involved in that process, even across generations and through what might seem to be peripheral figures in other patriarchal lists.

Numbers 26 46 Bonus section

• Serah's longevity is a consistent theme in Jewish tradition, positing that she lived for hundreds of years, spanning from the time of Jacob's entry into Egypt until the Exodus from Egypt and even beyond, acting as a living bridge between generations. This tradition often sees her as one of the few who never experienced death.
• Her presence in the Numbers census could also implicitly reinforce the concept of land inheritance. For the census results to be the basis for land division by lot, having a record that accounts for significant individuals, including a unique female like Serah, might have ensured comprehensive and equitable distribution within Asher's tribe.
• The fact that she is the only named daughter of an original tribal progenitor among those alive at this census point adds to her distinctiveness. All other tribal heads' descendants are typically listed as "sons" or simply as clans. Her special status suggests a deeper meaning beyond simple genealogical record-keeping, possibly affirming God's plan for women in key, though sometimes behind-the-scenes, roles in His history.

Numbers 26 46 Commentary

Numbers 26:46 is remarkably concise yet profoundly significant. In a chapter dedicated to detailing the second census of Israel's military-aged men, the singular naming of Serah, the daughter of Asher, stands out. She is the only named granddaughter among the patriarchs mentioned as living to participate in this momentous census at the edge of the Promised Land. This explicit identification is not random; it conveys theological and historical importance.

First, Serah's presence underscores God's meticulous care for His covenant people, acknowledging even individual women within a societal framework that generally emphasized male lineage. It provides a human face within the otherwise dry genealogical lists, subtly hinting at a divine interest in every person's life and place within the national narrative. Second, her repeated mention across different biblical texts (Gen 46:17, 1 Chr 7:30, Num 26:46) reinforces her unique significance. Rabbinic tradition suggests Serah was a critical link of continuity—she was reportedly the one who informed Jacob that Joseph was alive in Egypt, fulfilling an important moment in the family history. She is also traditionally credited with revealing to Moses the location of Joseph's bones, which was vital for Moses to fulfill Joseph's dying request to be buried in the Promised Land (Exod 13:19). Her inclusion in the Numbers census, therefore, serves as a quiet witness to the fulfillment of prophecy and the unbroken line of God's redemptive plan through generations. Her long life symbolically bridged the era of the patriarchs with the exodus generation, ensuring that vital familial knowledge and divine promises were transmitted, making her inclusion in the definitive census for land distribution especially fitting. It shows that even seemingly minor details in Scripture have a purpose in revealing God's overarching faithfulness.