Numbers 26 7

Numbers 26:7 kjv

These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.

Numbers 26:7 nkjv

These are the families of the Reubenites: those who were numbered of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty.

Numbers 26:7 niv

These were the clans of Reuben; those numbered were 43,730.

Numbers 26:7 esv

These are the clans of the Reubenites, and those listed were 43,730.

Numbers 26:7 nlt

These were the clans of Reuben. Their registered troops numbered 43,730.

Numbers 26 verses

Numbers 26 7 Meaning

Numbers 26:7 records the specific count of the adult males aged twenty years and upward from the tribe of Reuben during the second census of Israel. This census, taken on the plains of Moab before entering the promised land, serves to account for the new generation fit for war and for the distribution of the land inheritance among the tribes and families. The verse explicitly states that the number of the Reubenites was forty-three thousand, seven hundred, and thirty. This figure reflects the state of the tribe after forty years of wilderness wandering and the judgments of the Lord, noting a decrease in their population compared to the first census.

Numbers 26 7 Context

Numbers chapter 26 records the second census of the Israelite nation, taken after the divine judgment on the first generation that refused to enter the Promised Land (Num 14) and after significant plagues and rebellions (such as Korah's rebellion in Num 16, which directly involved prominent Reubenites). This census serves a crucial purpose: to re-muster a new generation, counting only those twenty years old and upward, able to go to war. Unlike the first census in Numbers 1, which assessed Israel's readiness to depart from Sinai, this second census on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River prepares them for entry into Canaan. It directly precedes the allocation of land, with the number of fighting men in each family determining the size of their inherited territory. The counting of each tribe, family by family, emphasizes God's meticulous care for His people and the orderly nature of their society, despite the tumultuous forty years in the wilderness.

Numbers 26 7 Word analysis

• These are (אֵ֣לֶּה - ’ēlleh): A demonstrative pronoun. It functions to introduce a list or classification, directly pointing to what follows as the defining characteristic or enumeration. It marks a transition to specific details, ensuring precision in the divine record.
• the families (מִשְׁפְּחֹ֧ת - mishpekhōṯ): This is the plural of mishpacha, referring to a clan, extended family, or tribal subdivision. The Hebrew term signifies a fundamental unit within Israel's social and administrative structure, vital for identifying kinship ties, inheritance rights, and military organization. God’s census takes place at this detailed level, emphasizing His order and knowledge of His people by their lineages.
• of the Reubenites (הָרֽאוּבֵנִ֑י - ha-Ra’ūḇēnî): Refers to the descendants and tribe of Reuben, Jacob's firstborn son (Gen 29:32). As the firstborn, Reuben had a prominent, though ultimately diminished, position (Gen 49:3-4). His tribe's specific count here is significant because of their prior involvement in acts that led to divine judgment, notably through Dathan and Abiram (Num 16), which likely contributed to their population decrease observed across the censuses.
• and those that were numbered (וּפְקֻדֵיהֶם֙ - ūp̄əquḏêhem): Derived from the root paqad, meaning "to muster," "to appoint," "to count," or "to visit (in judgment or blessing)." In the context of a census, it implies a formal registration for specific purposes, primarily military readiness and land distribution. This is not just a statistical count, but a divine act of knowing and ordering His people, indicating accountability and purpose under God's sovereignty.
• of them were forty-three thousand and seven hundred and thirty: This is a precise numerical value. The exactitude highlights the meticulous nature of God’s record-keeping and the divine supervision of the census. Compared to their count of 46,500 in Numbers 1:21, the Reubenites experienced a notable decrease (2,770) during the wilderness journey, possibly a consequence of their leadership's involvement in the Korah-Dathan-Abiram rebellion (Num 16), though not as dramatic a decline as Simeon. This number represents the fighting men available for the conquest of Canaan.

• "These are the families of the Reubenites": This phrase introduces the specific ancestral divisions within the tribe of Reuben. It underscores the hierarchical structure of Israelite society – from tribe to family – which was fundamental for tribal identity, maintaining purity of lineage, and justly allocating resources, especially land in the Promised Land. It sets a methodical tone, indicating divine attention to detail in the organization of Israel.
• "and those that were numbered of them were forty-three thousand and seven hundred and thirty": This entire phrase presents the result of God's command to census the new generation. The specific number highlights several aspects: the tangibility of the nation's military strength for the conquest, the immediate impact of past judgments on the previous generation (reflected in population changes), and God’s ongoing faithfulness in preserving and preparing a people for the fulfillment of His promises, even when their numbers shift. It's a snapshot of God's living covenant, transitioning from wilderness judgment to conquest preparation.

Numbers 26 7 Bonus section

The overall census in Numbers 26 shows significant demographic shifts across the tribes compared to Numbers 1. While Reuben, Simeon, and Gad experienced decreases in their fighting men, other tribes like Manasseh, Judah, Issachar, and Dan notably increased their numbers. These changes underscore the theological principle that divine judgment (e.g., Num 14 and the subsequent wilderness deaths) affects population sizes, but God's overarching purpose to bring Israel into the land remains firm. The second census thus reflects the transition from a disobedient generation marked for judgment to a new, disciplined generation poised for conquest. The purpose of this meticulous counting was not merely military, but also juridical: Numbers 26:52-56 clearly states that the land would be apportioned according to these numbers, with larger tribes receiving larger inheritances, ensuring fairness based on population density. This careful preparation highlights God's wisdom in administering justice and preparing His people for the responsibilities of nationhood in the promised land.

Numbers 26 7 Commentary

Numbers 26:7 encapsulates a precise moment in Israel's journey, detailing the exact number of the fighting men from the tribe of Reuben. This verse is not merely a statistical entry but a record of divine order and the tangible impact of Israel's wilderness experience. The focus on "families" emphasizes the internal structure of the tribe, essential for their impending inheritance in Canaan. The term "numbered" points to a divinely ordained process, revealing God's knowledge of each individual and family, as well as the tribe's preparedness for warfare and land allocation. The figure itself, 43,730, serves as a point of comparison to the first census, showing a decline from Reuben's original 46,500. This reduction, particularly when considered alongside Reuben's history of rebellion (notably Dathan and Abiram's involvement in Korah's rebellion), reflects the disciplinary hand of God. Yet, the survival and accounting of this substantial number affirm God's enduring faithfulness to preserve His people and fulfill His covenant, leading them into the land of promise despite their forebears' failings. It demonstrates God's sovereignty over the lives and lineage of His chosen nation.