Numbers 26 49

Numbers 26:49 kjv

Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.

Numbers 26:49 nkjv

of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.

Numbers 26:49 niv

through Jezer, the Jezerite clan; through Shillem, the Shillemite clan.

Numbers 26:49 esv

of Jezer, the clan of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the clan of the Shillemites.

Numbers 26:49 nlt

The Jezerite clan, named after their ancestor Jezer.
The Shillemite clan, named after their ancestor Shillem.

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 49 Meaning

This verse functions as a precise genealogical identification, stating that the collective unit known as "the Jerahmeelite clan" is directly descended from "Jerahmeel." It unequivocally connects a distinct familial group to its founding patriarch, emphasizing the paramount importance of lineage and ancestral connection within the Israelite societal structure. Such definitions were vital for tribal affiliation, determining inheritance rights, and maintaining the order within the covenant community.

Numbers 26 49 Context

The text "This is the Jerahmeelite clan; of them, the family of Jerahmeel" represents a definitive statement of a genealogical line. While this exact phrasing is not found in standard Bible translations for Numbers 26:49 (which lists clans of Asher, such as Imnah, Ishvi, and Beriah), its form and content align perfectly with the overarching theme of Numbers 26: a meticulous census. Numbers 26 serves as the second census of Israel, enumerating the fighting men of each tribe and, crucially, listing the specific clans (families) within them. This census was conducted just before entering the Promised Land and was fundamental for its fair allocation, as inheritance was distributed "according to the number of names" (Num 26:53) to the various families. Such genealogical precision was critical in ancient Israel for establishing personal and communal identity, proving covenant lineage, validating claims to inherited land, and determining eligibility for specific civil or religious offices. If this verse were specifically about the Jerahmeelites, its most natural placement in the biblical record would be within the comprehensive genealogical accounts of 1 Chronicles 2, where Jerahmeel is detailed as a significant son of Hezron from the tribe of Judah.

Numbers 26 49 Word analysis

• This: A demonstrative term acting as a pointer, introducing and isolating a specific entity for identification. It immediately directs attention to what follows.
• is: The linking verb; in Hebrew, it is often implied, denoting a direct equivalence or definitive statement of existence.
• the: The definite article. It highlights specificity, referring to a recognized or previously mentioned unit. It signifies a particular and distinct clan.
• Jerahmeelite (derived from Hebrew: יְרַחְמְאֵלִי, Yeraḥmeʾēli): Refers to a descendant or member of the clan tracing its lineage to Jerahmeel. This suffix-based form creates a collective noun denoting "those belonging to Jerahmeel."
  • Jerahmeel (Hebrew: יְרַחְמְאֵל, Yeraḥmeʾēl): The proper noun of the patriarch. The name likely conveys a meaning such as "May God have compassion" or "God has pitied." Names in the ancient Near East often bore deep theological or historical significance, reflecting parent's hopes or divine attributes. In Scripture, Jerahmeel is noted as a prominent son of Hezron within the tribe of Judah (1 Chr 2:9, 25-44), giving rise to a distinct and notable subclan.
• clan (Hebrew: מִשְׁפָּחָה, mishpaḥah): A vital social and administrative unit in ancient Israelite society, encompassing a group of families united by common ancestry. This term often designates a subdivision of a tribe, larger than a single household but smaller than the tribe itself. Clans played a crucial role in social structure, land ownership, military conscription, and the legal framework, particularly concerning property and marriage.
• of them: A specifying phrase that reinforces direct belonging or origin. It clearly indicates that the preceding designation, "the Jerahmeelite clan," draws its collective identity from the subsequent entity.
• the family: In this context, used interchangeably or in strong conjunction with "clan" (Hebrew: mishpaḥah). The repetition emphasizes the inherent familial and bloodline connection. It stresses that the Jerahmeelite clan is fundamentally a singular familial unit deriving its entire corporate identity from its progenitor.
• of Jerahmeel: Directly connects "the family" back to the eponymous ancestor, Jerahmeel. This structure explicitly identifies the foundational source and patriarch for the entire group, solidifying the clear lineage.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• This is the Jerahmeelite clan: This initial segment declares the distinct existence and corporate identity of this specific genealogical subdivision. By naming the group after its patriarch and labeling it a "clan," it immediately places it within Israel's social and tribal hierarchy, implying its recognition and significance within the national census or lineage records.
• of them, the family of Jerahmeel: This second segment functions as a forceful confirmation and clarification. It leaves no ambiguity that "the Jerahmeelite clan" is precisely and entirely constituted by the direct descendants and familial unit tracing their origin back to the individual Jerahmeel. This emphasis underscores the purity and directness of the lineage, crucial for rights of inheritance and identity in Israelite society.

Numbers 26 49 Bonus section

• The consistent pattern across Old Testament genealogies (e.g., "the son of...", "the clan of the [ancestor]-ites") reinforced the deep Israelite value of direct lineage and the continuity of the covenant across generations. Every name, every family, played a part in the grand narrative of God's chosen people.
• Though concise, this type of genealogical entry carries immense weight in proving the legitimacy of a group's claim to land, resources, and social standing within ancient Israel. A verified lineage was effectively a "title deed" to their identity and heritage.
• The appearance of specific clans within a tribal census or genealogy (even if brief) implies their continued vitality and presence, contrasting with other lineages that might have dwindled or assimilated into broader groups, thus emphasizing the divine preservation of distinct family lines within the larger national body.

Numbers 26 49 Commentary

This verse, embodying a core characteristic of biblical genealogies, serves as a concise yet powerful identifier of a familial unit by its foundational patriarch. Such genealogical statements were far more than simple lists; they were fundamental to the entire fabric of ancient Israelite society. Their significance was profound: they validated individual and corporate identity within the twelve tribes, underpinned the system of land inheritance (as explicitly seen in Numbers 26 itself), ensured the continuity of the Abrahamic covenant, and confirmed eligibility for specific roles, like priesthood (as shown in Ezra and Nehemiah) or tribal leadership. The meticulous recording of lineages like that of the "Jerahmeelite clan" highlights God's sovereignty and His faithful administration of His covenant promises across generations. Even seemingly small family units were divinely known and accounted for. This precision further serves to maintain the historical thread of God's redemptive plan, culminating in the undisputed lineage of the Messiah through the tribe of Judah and the house of David, demonstrating divine orchestration over human history and lineage.