Numbers 26 47

Numbers 26:47 kjv

These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

Numbers 26:47 nkjv

These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those who were numbered of them: fifty-three thousand four hundred.

Numbers 26:47 niv

These were the clans of Asher; those numbered were 53,400.

Numbers 26:47 esv

These are the clans of the sons of Asher as they were listed, 53,400.

Numbers 26:47 nlt

These were the clans of Asher. Their registered troops numbered 53,400.

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 47 Meaning

Numbers chapter 26 provides a comprehensive census of the tribes of Israel, taken on the plains of Moab as the second generation stood ready to enter the Promised Land. While Numbers 26:47 specifically states the total count of the tribe of Asher ("These are the families of the sons of Asher, and their counted ones were fifty-three thousand four hundred"), the verse's meaning is intertwined with the preceding verses (26:44-46) which detail Asher's familial subdivisions. Thus, the passage collectively records the distinct family groups descending from Asher's sons—Imnah, Ishvi, Beriah (and his sons Heber and Malchiel)—and concludes with the exact numerical strength of this tribe for the purpose of land distribution in Canaan. This detailed record highlights God's faithfulness in preserving His people, even after the wilderness generation perished, and underscores the meticulous organization of Israel's tribal identity in preparation for inheriting their promised inheritance.

Numbers 26 47 Context

Numbers chapter 26 describes the second national census of the Israelites. This vital survey took place "in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho" (Num 26:3), positioning the Israelites at the threshold of the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. The generation that rebelled against the Lord at Kadesh-Barnea and was condemned to die in the wilderness had largely perished (Num 26:64-65). This new census thus documented the succeeding generation, identifying those who would inherit the land. Its primary purposes were twofold: to establish the military strength of the new generation ready for conquest and, more importantly, to determine the exact size of each tribe's constituent families, which directly dictated their share of the land to be divided by lot (Num 26:54). Asher's listing and count, specifically in verses 44-47, reflect the meticulous divine ordering of Israel, emphasizing the preservation of distinct tribal and family identities crucial for their covenant relationship and territorial claims.

Numbers 26 47 Word analysis

• בְּנֵי (b'nê): "Sons of"
  • Denotes male descendants, forming the basis of the patrilineal system in ancient Israelite society. Lineage was traced through the father, fundamental for tribal identity, inheritance, and land distribution. This reinforces the covenant God made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, flowing through their male heirs.
• אָשֵׁר (’Āshēr): "Asher"
  • Literally "happy" or "blessed," as named by Leah (Gen 30:13). The name reflects a hopeful exclamation, looking toward divine favor and increase. Moses' blessing on Asher later underscores this theme, promising a land rich in natural resources and favor (Deut 33:24-25).
• לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם (l'mishp'chotam): "according to their families/clans"
  • The term mishpachah signifies a kinship group larger than an immediate household but smaller than a full tribe (shevet). These clans were vital social, economic, and military units in Israel. They were the practical subdivisions through which land was allotted and managed, ensuring tribal coherence and perpetuation of heritage. This highlights the ordered nature of God's people.
• יִמְנָה (Yimnah): "Imnah"
  • Son of Asher (Gen 46:17; 1 Chr 7:30). The name means "right hand" or "fortune," suggesting a sense of prosperity or favorable destiny for this familial line.
• הַיִּמְנִי (hayyimni): "the Imnites"
  • This is a denominative gentilic form, signifying "the family of Imnah." It indicates a collective group whose identity and lineage are rooted in this specific patriarch, reinforcing the hereditary structure of Israel.
• יִשְׁוִי (Yishwi): "Ishvi"
  • Son of Asher (Gen 46:17; 1 Chr 7:30 lists 'Ishvah', a common orthographic variant for the same individual/root). The meaning is debated, possibly "level" or "similar."
• הַיִּשְׁוִי (hayyishwi): "the Ishvites"
  • "The family of Ishvi," denoting his direct descendants forming a distinct clan.
• בְּרִיעָה (B’ri'ah): "Beriah"
  • Son of Asher (Gen 46:17; 1 Chr 7:30). The name's meaning is debated, sometimes rendered "in trouble," "with evil," or "through a gift." Intriguingly, Beriah is explicitly noted as having two sons (Heber and Malchiel) who themselves founded distinct families within the tribe (Num 26:45-46), underscoring his importance in the lineage's proliferation.
• הַבְּרִיעִי (habberi'i): "the Beriites"
  • "The family of Beriah," a significant clan that further subdivides, demonstrating the natural growth and structuring of a tribal society.
• פְּקֻדֵיהֶם (p’qudêhem): "those counted of them" or "their counted ones"
  • From the root paqad, meaning "to muster," "to count," "to visit," or "to appoint." Here, it signifies the official, divine reckoning of the population, often associated with divine oversight and readiness for specific purposes. This count is not for human pride but for God's purposes of inheritance and establishment.
• שְׁלֹשָׁה וַחֲמִשִּׁים אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת (sh'loshah vachamishim elef v'arba m'ot): "fifty-three thousand four hundred"
  • The precise numerical tally of fighting men from Asher. This numerical detail serves to: (1) confirm the growth and divine faithfulness despite the prior judgment on the wilderness generation; (2) provide the exact population size necessary for the fair and divine allocation of land, linking individual identity to communal inheritance. This high degree of precision in enumeration emphasizes God's sovereign hand in orchestrating the nation's affairs.

Words-group analysis:

• "The sons of Asher according to their clans were...": This introductory phrase sets the framework for the census, identifying the specific tribal subject (Asher) and the organizational unit (mishpachah, clan), reinforcing the divinely mandated structure of Israelite society and the meticulous nature of the census record.
• "of Imnah, the clan of the Imnites; of Ishvi, the clan of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the clan of the Beriites": This repeated linguistic structure (original patriarch's name followed by the denominative clan name) establishes a clear, hereditary link, foundational for demonstrating a continuous, unbroken lineage and rightful claims to tribal lands. It signifies the ongoing life of the tribe despite the death of the older generation.
• "These are the families of the sons of Asher...and their counted ones were fifty-three thousand four hundred.": This concluding phrase brings together the qualitative aspect of lineage (families) with the quantitative aspect (total number). It summarizes the tribal strength, serving as the basis for the divine act of dividing the land, where the size of each tribe directly correlates to the proportion of their inheritance.

Numbers 26 47 Bonus section

• Polemics against disorder/chance: The detailed and specific genealogical record of Asher and other tribes in Numbers 26 directly counters any ancient Near Eastern notions that societal structure was chaotic, arbitrary, or based solely on human power. Instead, Israel's societal organization is presented as meticulously ordered and divinely commanded. This emphasizes God as the author of order.
• Typological Significance: The numbering of the people and the meticulous division of land foreshadow a time when God's people, redeemed through Christ, will receive their heavenly inheritance (Eph 1:11-14). Just as Asher's family units secured their portion in Canaan, believers are granted an inheritance, secured by the Holy Spirit.
• Importance of Names: The listing of names is not mere record-keeping; each name held significance, linking individuals to a collective past and future within God's covenant. "Imnah" ("right hand"), "Ishvi," and "Beriah" all contributed to the diverse tapestry of Asher's tribe, yet were united under God's plan. Even the seemingly unfortunate name "Beriah" reflects that God's plan incorporates all circumstances of life.

Numbers 26 47 Commentary

Numbers 26:44-47, encompassing Asher's familial listing and total count, is a microcosm of the entire chapter's divine purpose: to prepare Israel for the Promised Land. This census is a testament to God's enduring faithfulness despite the past failures of the wilderness generation. The meticulous enumeration of distinct families, flowing from foundational patriarchs like Asher and his sons, underscores the structured and ordered nature of the nation. Each "clan" (mishpachah) was a vital unit, preserving identity, transmitting heritage, and acting as a collective for the land distribution that was soon to follow. The inclusion of precise numbers, in contrast to David's census motivated by pride, demonstrates that this survey was a divine command for righteous administration and fulfillment of covenant promises. It asserts that God's people are not a shapeless mass but an organized community with each family playing its part in God's grand design for their future inheritance. This divine ordering speaks to a God of purpose who maintains the continuity of His promises through successive generations, guiding them into the fulfillment of His word.