Numbers 26:13

KJV

Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of Zerah {H2226}, the family {H4940} of the Zarhites {H2227}: of Shaul {H7586}, the family {H4940} of the Shaulites {H7587}.

Complete Jewish Bible

of Zerach, the family of the Zarchi; and of Sha'ul, the family of the Sha'uli.

Berean Standard Bible

the Zerahite clan from Zerah, and the Shaulite clan from Shaul.

American Standard Version

of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites; of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:13, a seemingly simple genealogical entry, meticulously records the families of the Zarhites and the Shaulites, descended from Zerah (of Judah) and Shaul (of Simeon) respectively. This verse is part of the second national census of Israel, taken on the plains of Moab, which served the critical purposes of assessing the nation's military strength and, more significantly, preparing for the equitable distribution of the promised land among the families of the new generation, underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness and His meticulous order in fulfilling His covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:13 is embedded within the comprehensive second census of the Israelites, conducted approximately 38 years after the first census recorded in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"). This chapter marks a pivotal transition, as the generation that rebelled and perished in the wilderness has passed away, and a new generation stands poised to enter the Promised Land. The preceding verses of [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census") detail the numbering of the tribes, family by family, highlighting the continuity of God's covenant promises despite the previous generation's failures. The meticulous listing of families, including the Zarhites and Shaulites, directly precedes the instructions for land distribution by lot, emphasizing the census's primary purpose as a preparation for the inheritance of Canaan, as articulated in [Numbers 26:55-56](/numbers/26-55 "Numbers 26:55-56 - Land Distribution by Lot").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, on the cusp of entering Canaan, roughly 1406 BC. In ancient Israelite society, genealogy was not merely a record of ancestry but a foundational element of identity, inheritance, and social structure. Tribal and familial affiliation determined one's place in the community, military obligations, and, critically, one's claim to land. The census itself was a common ancient Near Eastern practice, often conducted for taxation, military conscription, or land allocation. For Israel, this census was unique in its divine mandate and its direct link to the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant regarding a numerous offspring and the possession of the land. The meticulous detail in listing families like the Zarhites and Shaulites underscores the divine precision in fulfilling promises and establishing order within the nascent nation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"), powerfully illustrates several key themes. First, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises to Abraham regarding a numerous offspring, even after decades of wilderness wandering and the rebellion of the previous generation (cf. [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). The continued existence and growth of these specific family lines, despite hardship, testify to God's preserving hand. Second, the detailed genealogical record underscores **Divine Order and Organization**. God is not a God of chaos but of meticulous planning, ensuring that every family and individual is accounted for, reflecting His precision in preparing His people for their destiny. Finally, the census, including the mention of these families, directly ties into the theme of **Preparation for Inheritance**. The counting of each family was not arbitrary but directly linked to the upcoming distribution of the land, as each family's strength determined its portion. This illustrates that God's promises are not abstract but come with practical implications and divine organization, preparing His people for the fulfillment of their destiny in the Promised Land (cf. [Numbers 34:13](/numbers/34-13 "Numbers 34:13 - Inheritance of the Land")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Zerah (Hebrew, _Zeraḥ'_):** Meaning "rising" or "brightness." Zerah was a son of Judah (along with Perez, [Genesis 38:27-30](/genesis/38-27 "Genesis 38:27-30 - Birth of Perez and Zerah")), and his lineage is significant as part of the tribe from which the Messiah would eventually come. The perpetuation of his family line, the Zarhites, underscores the continuity of the covenant promises through specific lineages.
* **Shaul (Hebrew, _Sha'ul'_):** Meaning "asked for." Shaul was a son of Simeon ([Genesis 46:10](/genesis/46-10 "Genesis 46:10 - Sons of Simeon")). While not as prominent as Judah, the inclusion of Shaul's family, the Shaulites, demonstrates the comprehensive nature of the census, accounting for all the tribes and their constituent families, regardless of their future prominence.
* **Zarhites/Shaulites (Hebrew, _ha-Zarchi/ha-Sha'uli'_):** The suffix '-i' (or '-ite' in English transliteration) is a common Hebrew gentilic ending, denoting belonging, descent, or origin. Its consistent use throughout Numbers 26, as seen with "the family of the Zarhites" and "the family of the Shaulites," clearly identifies these groups as direct descendants of Zerah and Shaul, respectively. This linguistic convention reinforces the tribal and familial structure, which was crucial for maintaining identity, lineage, and the system of land inheritance in ancient Israelite society.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites:"** This clause identifies the first family line being counted. Zerah is explicitly named as the patriarch, and his descendants are designated as "the Zarhites." This highlights the importance of individual progenitors in establishing and maintaining the distinct identity of each family unit within the larger tribal structure of Judah. It signifies the continuity of this specific lineage from the time of Jacob's descent into Egypt (cf. [Genesis 46:12](/genesis/46-12 "Genesis 46:12 - Zerah in Jacob's household")) through the wilderness generation.
* **"of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites."** This second clause follows the same pattern, introducing Shaul as the progenitor of "the Shaulites." Shaul's lineage is traced back to Simeon, one of Jacob's sons. The parallel structure emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the census, ensuring that every significant family line from each tribe is accounted for. This meticulous record-keeping was vital for the upcoming division of the land, where each family's size would determine its allocated portion.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:13, like much of the census record, employs several literary devices. The primary device is **Genealogy** itself, serving not just as a historical record but as a theological statement about continuity, identity, and the fulfillment of divine promises. The detailed listing of "family of the Zarhites" and "family of the Shaulites" exemplifies **Enumeration** and **Repetition**, which lend an air of authority, precision, and completeness to the divine record. This meticulous accounting underscores God's comprehensive knowledge of His people and His orderly preparation for their future. The naming convention, where the family name is derived directly from the patriarch's name (Zerah/Zarhites, Shaul/Shaulites), is a form of **Eponymous Designation**, reinforcing the direct lineage and the preservation of distinct family identities within the larger tribal framework. These devices collectively emphasize God's faithfulness in preserving His people and His meticulous planning for their inheritance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:13, while seemingly a dry list of names, is deeply theological. It stands as a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly those made to Abraham regarding a numerous offspring who would inherit the land. Despite the rebellion and judgment that consumed the previous generation in the wilderness, God preserved and multiplied the families of Israel, ensuring the continuity of His people. This census, including the detailed accounting of families like the Zarhites and Shaulites, demonstrates God's meticulous care and providential oversight. He knows each family and individual, preparing them not only for a physical inheritance in Canaan but also for their role in His unfolding redemptive plan. The very existence of these families, counted and prepared, speaks to God's commitment to His word and His ability to bring His purposes to fruition through successive generations.

* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")
* [Numbers 1:1-3](/numbers/1-1 "The First Census")
* [Numbers 34:13](/numbers/34-13 "Inheritance of the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:13 reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and faithfulness, even in what might seem like the mundane details of life. Just as He meticulously counted and prepared each family for their physical inheritance, He knows and cares for every individual within His spiritual family today. This verse encourages us to trust in His detailed oversight of our lives, knowing that He has a purpose and a plan for us, preparing us for the spiritual inheritance that awaits. Our identity is not lost in the crowd; rather, we are known by God, counted among His people, and heirs to His promises. This should inspire confidence in His providence, even when our path seems long or challenging, much like Israel's wilderness journey. We are part of a larger divine narrative, meticulously orchestrated by a faithful God who fulfills His word across generations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulousness in counting each family, even seemingly minor ones, encourage you in your personal walk with Him?**
* **In what ways do you see yourself as part of God's spiritual family, an heir to His promises, just as the Zarhites and Shaulites were heirs to the land?**
* **How does this verse, part of a larger census, inform your understanding of God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, even through generations of struggle or failure?**

### FAQ

**Why is this census, and specifically the listing of these families, so important in the book of Numbers?**

Answer: This second census, of which Numbers 26:13 is a part, is critically important for several reasons. First, it signifies a new beginning for Israel, marking the transition from the generation condemned to die in the wilderness to the new generation prepared to enter the Promised Land. Second, its primary practical purpose was to prepare for the equitable distribution of the land of Canaan among the tribes and families, as detailed in [Numbers 26:55-56](/numbers/26-55 "Numbers 26:55-56 - Land Distribution by Lot"). Each family's strength determined its portion. Third, it served to assess the nation's military strength for the impending conquest. Theologically, it underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises to Abraham regarding a numerous offspring ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")) and the possession of the land, demonstrating His meticulous order and providential care in preserving and preparing His people.

**What is the deeper significance of the detailed family names like "Zarhites" and "Shaulites" in this context?**

Answer: The meticulous detailing of family names like "Zarhites" and "Shaulites" emphasizes the profound importance of identity, lineage, and inheritance in ancient Israelite society and, more importantly, in God's divine plan. Each family represented a distinct unit within its tribe, and its inclusion in the census affirmed its legitimate claim to a portion of the Promised Land. This level of detail highlights God's comprehensive knowledge of His people—He knows each family and individual by name. It also reinforces the concept of continuity; despite the passing of a rebellious generation, the covenant promises were faithfully carried forward through the preserved and identifiable family lines. This attention to detail reflects God's orderly nature and His commitment to fulfilling His word through specific, identifiable people groups.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 26:13 meticulously details the physical lineages of Israel, preparing them for an earthly inheritance, it ultimately points to a greater spiritual reality fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The census, with its emphasis on being "counted" and "prepared" for the land, foreshadows the spiritual inheritance that believers receive through Christ. Just as the Zarhites and Shaulites were heirs by physical descent, believers in Christ become heirs of God's promises not by lineage but by faith, being "counted" among the children of God through adoption (cf. [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to Promise")). Jesus is the ultimate heir of all things, and through Him, we become co-heirs (cf. [Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). The meticulous order of the census, ensuring every family was accounted for, speaks to the divine precision of God's redemptive plan, culminating in Christ, who gathers a new people, a "family" not defined by bloodlines but by faith in His atoning work (cf. [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Our Inheritance in Christ")). The heavenly Jerusalem, the true promised land, awaits those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life, a spiritual census of God's redeemed (cf. [Hebrews 12:23](/hebrews/12-23 "The Church of the Firstborn")). Thus, this ancient genealogical record ultimately finds its deepest meaning in the inclusive, spiritual family of God established through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 46:10

And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.