Numbers 26:14

KJV

These [are] the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

These are the families {H4940} of the Simeonites {H8099}, twenty {H6242} and two {H8147} thousand {H505} and two hundred {H3967}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These were the families of the Shim'oni, 22,200.

Berean Standard Bible

These were the clans of Simeon, and there were 22,200 men.

American Standard Version

These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:14 records the census count for the tribe of Simeon, revealing a dramatic and significant reduction in their population to twenty-two thousand and two hundred. This figure stands in stark contrast to their previous count in Numbers 1, making it the most severe decline among all the tribes. Far from being a mere statistic, this verse implicitly serves as a powerful testament to divine judgment, directly linking the tribe's diminished numbers to their prominent involvement in the apostasy and plague at Baal-peor, underscoring God's meticulous oversight and the severe consequences of corporate disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:14 is situated within the second census of the Israelites, taken on the plains of Moab as the nation prepared to enter the Promised Land. This census, occurring approximately thirty-eight years after the first one recorded in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), serves a critical administrative and theological purpose: to determine the population of each tribe for the equitable distribution of land in Canaan, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 26:54](/numbers/26-54 "Numbers 26:54 - Land Distribution by Population"). The enumeration of Simeon's families immediately follows that of Reuben and precedes Gad, placing it within the broader tribal accounting. The striking feature of this verse is the dramatic decrease in Simeon's numbers from 59,300 in the first census ([Numbers 1:23](/numbers/1-23 "Numbers 1:23 - Simeon's Count in the First Census")) to 22,200, representing the largest proportional decline of any tribe, a detail that silently speaks volumes about recent events.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The second census takes place on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, with the Israelites poised to conquer Canaan. This generation is largely composed of those born during the wilderness wanderings, as the previous generation, except for Caleb and Joshua, had perished due to their disobedience (cf. [Numbers 14:29-30](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - The Fate of the Disobedient Generation")). The immediate historical backdrop to this census is the devastating incident at Baal-peor, recounted in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Baal-Peor Incident"), where many Israelites engaged in idolatry and sexual immorality with Moabite women. This sin provoked God's wrath, resulting in a plague that killed 24,000 people ([Numbers 25:9](/numbers/25-9 "Numbers 25:9 - The Plague's Death Toll")). The tribe of Simeon was particularly implicated, with Zimri, a Simeonite leader, openly flaunting his sin, leading to Phinehas's zealous intervention ([Numbers 25:14-15](/numbers/25-14 "Numbers 25:14 - Zimri, the Simeonite Leader")). Culturally, censuses were vital for military organization, taxation, and, most importantly, the allocation of tribal inheritances in the Promised Land, reflecting a divinely ordered society.

* **Key Themes:** Numbers 26:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Accountability and Order**. God meticulously numbers His people, demonstrating His sovereign oversight and precise planning for their future in the land. This census ensures a structured approach to inheritance and governance, reflecting God's commitment to order. Secondly, the verse powerfully illustrates the **Consequences of Disobedience**. The striking reduction in Simeon's numbers serves as a stark and tangible testament to the severe consequences of sin, particularly their prominent involvement in the Baal-peor apostasy. This population decline reflects God's swift and just judgment upon unfaithfulness, demonstrating that sin has corporate ramifications. Lastly, it reinforces the theme of **Tribal Identity and Inheritance**. The census defines the distinct identity and future portion of land for each tribe. Simeon's reduced size directly impacted their inheritance, which was eventually allotted within Judah's larger portion ([Joshua 19:1](/joshua/19-1 "Joshua 19:1 - Simeon's Inheritance within Judah")), partially fulfilling Jacob's ancient prophecy concerning Simeon's scattering ([Genesis 49:7](/genesis/49-7 "Genesis 49:7 - Jacob's Prophecy for Simeon and Levi")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Families (Hebrew, _mishpachot'_):** This term refers to the clans or major divisions within each tribe. Its use here emphasizes the organized, genealogical structure of Israelite society, highlighting that identity, social standing, and inheritance were meticulously passed down and tracked through these established family lines, not merely individual members.
* **Simeonites (Hebrew, _Shim'oni'_):** This is the collective designation for the descendants of Simeon, Jacob's second son. The specific mention of "Simeonites" underscores the tribal identity and continuity, even as their numbers dramatically decreased. It connects this generation to their patriarchal lineage and their historical trajectory within the broader Israelite narrative.
* **Twenty and two thousand and two hundred (Hebrew, _'esrim ushnayim 'elef umatayim'_):** This precise numerical count is the central data point of the verse. It serves as a factual record of the census result for Simeon, but its significance lies in the stark contrast it presents with the previous census. The exactitude of the number emphasizes the meticulous nature of God's accounting and the undeniable reality of the population loss.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [are] the families of the Simeonites":** This opening clause introduces the specific tribal group being enumerated. It establishes the subject of the census entry, focusing on the internal divisions ("families" or clans) within the tribe of Simeon, thereby emphasizing the structured and genealogical basis of Israelite society and the census itself.
* **"twenty and two thousand and two hundred":** This clause provides the precise numerical outcome of the census for the tribe of Simeon. The figure, 22,200, is presented as a straightforward statistic, yet in its context, it carries profound implicit meaning, serving as a silent but powerful testament to the severe divine judgment that had recently befallen the tribe.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:14, though a seemingly straightforward statistical record, employs several subtle but powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Contrast**. By simply stating Simeon's new population figure (22,200) without explicit commentary, the text implicitly invites comparison with their previous census count in [Numbers 1:23](/numbers/1-23 "Numbers 1:23 - Simeon's First Census Count") (59,300). This stark numerical disparity highlights the devastating impact of the Baal-peor incident and God's judgment upon the tribe. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Understatement**. The simple presentation of the drastically reduced number, without an accompanying lament or theological explanation within the verse itself, allows the raw data to convey the gravity of the situation and the severity of the consequences, leaving the reader to infer the underlying reasons from the preceding narrative. Finally, the entire census in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census") acts as a **Divine Accounting**, a literary and theological framework that demonstrates God's sovereign oversight, His meticulous attention to His people, and His unwavering justice in judging sin while preparing a faithful remnant for the Promised Land.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:14, a seemingly dry statistic, carries profound theological weight, serving as a stark reminder of God's absolute holiness and His unwavering commitment to justice within His covenant people. The dramatic decline of Simeon's population underscores the principle that sin, particularly corporate apostasy and immorality, incurs severe consequences, not only for individuals but for entire communities and generations. It reveals a God who meticulously observes the spiritual health of His people and holds them accountable for their actions, demonstrating that His grace does not negate His justice. This verse highlights the importance of faithfulness and obedience, contrasting the devastating effects of unfaithfulness with the blessings promised to those who walk in His ways. It is a powerful illustration that God's covenant promises are upheld, but His people's participation requires fidelity.

* [Numbers 25:9](/numbers/25-9 "The Plague at Baal-Peor")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "The Wages of Sin is Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:14, though rooted in ancient history, offers timeless and sobering lessons for contemporary believers. It compels us to recognize that God is not indifferent to the moral and spiritual condition of His people, whether individually or corporately. The dramatic decline of Simeon serves as a powerful cautionary tale against spiritual compromise, idolatry, and sexual immorality, reminding us that such sins carry severe consequences that can impact not only our personal walk but also the vitality and flourishing of our communities and future generations. This verse underscores the reality of God's justice; while He is abundant in mercy, He is also righteous in His judgments, holding His people accountable for their actions. For us today, it calls for vigilant self-examination, a humble recognition of our susceptibility to sin, and a renewed commitment to unwavering faithfulness to God's commands. It challenges us to consider how our collective choices and spiritual health might be impacting the broader body of Christ and our witness to the world, urging us to pursue holiness and obedience with zeal.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the dramatic decline of the Simeonites challenge my understanding of God's justice and His dealings with corporate sin?**
* **In what areas of my life or my community might spiritual complacency or compromise be leading to unintended or unseen consequences?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater spiritual vigilance and accountability, both personally and within my faith community?**

### FAQ
**Why did Simeon's population decline so much more than other tribes?**

Answer: While the biblical text doesn't explicitly state the precise reason for Simeon's disproportionate decline, the most widely accepted explanation points directly to the Baal-peor incident described in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Baal-Peor Incident"). The tribe of Simeon appears to have been heavily implicated in the idolatry and sexual immorality with the Moabite women that led to the devastating plague. The narrative specifically highlights Zimri, a prominent leader from the tribe of Simeon, who publicly engaged in this sin, provoking Phinehas's zealous act of judgment ([Numbers 25:14-15](/numbers/25-14 "Numbers 25:14 - Zimri's Sin and Phinehas's Action")). This suggests that the sin was not isolated but likely pervasive within the tribe, or at least tolerated to a degree that brought about a more severe corporate judgment from God, resulting in their significant population reduction compared to the other tribes.

**Does this verse suggest God punishes entire tribes for the sins of some individuals?**

Answer: The narrative surrounding Simeon's decline implies a principle of collective responsibility and consequence, rather than merely punishing individuals. While individuals were certainly judged in the plague, the tribal decline indicates that the sin at Baal-peor was likely widespread or deeply ingrained within the Simeonite community, or that their leadership's actions (like Zimri's) reflected a broader tribal complicity. This aligns with other biblical patterns where the actions of a significant portion of a community, or even a single leader, can lead to corporate repercussions (e.g., Achan's sin affecting all of Israel in [Joshua 7](/joshua/7 "Joshua 7 - Achan's Sin and Its Consequences")). It underscores that sin has communal ramifications and that God, in His sovereignty, deals with His people both individually and corporately, holding them accountable for their collective spiritual health and obedience.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The somber account of Simeon's dramatic population decline in Numbers 26:14, a direct consequence of their corporate sin and God's judgment, powerfully foreshadows the profound need for a perfect mediator and a new covenant. The Old Testament censuses and the judgments they reveal, like the one upon Simeon, unveil the absolute holiness of God and the devastating, spiritually fatal consequences of sin, which brings separation from the life of God. This cycle of sin, judgment, and the need for constant purification finds its ultimate and permanent resolution in Jesus Christ. He is the true [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), whose perfect sacrifice on the cross atones for sin once and for all, providing a singular way for humanity to be reconciled to a holy God. Unlike the temporary and often severe judgments under the Old Covenant, Christ offers eternal life and spiritual flourishing to all who believe, transforming hearts and enabling genuine obedience through the indwelling power of the [Holy Spirit](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit, the Helper"). Through His atoning work, the scattered and diminished, those spiritually dead in their trespasses, are gathered into His spiritual family, the Church, where there is no longer a need for a numerical census to determine earthly inheritance, but rather a spiritual inheritance secured by grace through faith, as described in [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ"). The New Covenant, established in His blood, ensures that those who are "in Christ" will never face the ultimate judgment for their sins, but will inherit eternal life and a place in God's eternal kingdom, a far greater promise than any earthly land distribution (cf. [Hebrews 9:15](/hebrews/9-15 "Hebrews 9:15 - Christ, Mediator of the New Covenant")).

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

Numbers 2:12

And those which pitch by him [shall be] the tribe of Simeon: and the captain of the children of Simeon [shall be] Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

Numbers 2:13

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.

Numbers 1:22

Of the children of Simeon, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, those that were numbered of them, according to the number of the names, by their polls, every male from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Numbers 1:23

Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Simeon, [were] fifty and nine thousand and three hundred.