Numbers 26:24

KJV

Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.

KJV (with Strong's)

Of Jashub {H3437}, the family {H4940} of the Jashubites {H3432}: of Shimron {H8110}, the family {H4940} of the Shimronites {H8117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

of Yashuv, the family of the Yashuvi; and of Shimron, the family of the Shimroni.

Berean Standard Bible

the Jashubite clan from Jashub, and the Shimronite clan from Shimron.

American Standard Version

of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:24 meticulously records the continuation of two specific family lines, the Jashubites and the Shimronites, descendants of Issachar, within the second census of Israel. This seemingly brief genealogical entry is a vital component of a comprehensive national survey, reflecting God's precise order and faithfulness in preserving the identity and structure of His covenant people as they stood on the precipice of inheriting the Promised Land. It underscores the divine attention to every family unit, affirming their place and purpose within the larger redemptive narrative.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:24 is situated within the second comprehensive census of the Israelite tribes, recorded in Numbers 26. This census, taken on the plains of Moab, immediately precedes Israel's entry into the Promised Land and follows the devastating plague detailed in [Numbers 25:9](/numbers/25-9 "Numbers 25:9 - The Plague at Peor"). It serves as a stark contrast to the first census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel"), which counted the generation that largely perished in the wilderness due to disobedience. The meticulous listing of families and their numbers in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Division of the Land") directly informs the allocation of tribal territories in Canaan, with larger tribes receiving more land. Thus, this verse is not merely a list but a foundational administrative step in the unfolding of God's promise of land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The second census occurred approximately 38 years after the Exodus, on the plains of Moab, just before the Israelites crossed the Jordan River into Canaan. This generation, born in the wilderness, was now poised to fulfill the covenant promises made to their ancestors. Culturally, censuses in ancient Near Eastern societies often served military, taxation, or land distribution purposes. For Israel, this census was uniquely tied to their identity as a covenant people and their impending inheritance. The patriarchal structure of Israelite society meant that family lines, traced through sons and their descendants, were paramount for identity, inheritance, and tribal organization. The detailed record-keeping reflects a society where lineage was crucial for social, religious, and political standing, ensuring that every family had a defined place within the larger national body.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 26:24 contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Order and Providence**, demonstrating God's meticulous and sovereign hand in orchestrating the affairs of His people, down to the individual family units. The precision of the census underscores that God's plan is not chaotic but perfectly ordered. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **Generational Continuity and God's Faithfulness**. Despite the rebellion and death of the previous generation in the wilderness, God preserved the lineage and identity of the tribes, ensuring that His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would be fulfilled through the new generation. This census is a tangible sign of God's unwavering commitment. Thirdly, it emphasizes **Preparation for Inheritance**, as the entire exercise was designed to prepare the nation for the equitable distribution of the Promised Land, as outlined in [Numbers 26:54](/numbers/26-54 "Numbers 26:54 - Land Distribution by Population"). The listing of families like the Jashubites and Shimronites was a practical step toward realizing God's promise of a land flowing with milk and honey.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jashub (Hebrew, _yashuv'_):** Derived from the Hebrew root שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to return," "to turn back," or "to restore." The name Jashub thus means "he will return" or "returner." In the context of the wilderness wandering and the impending entry into the Promised Land, this name could subtly hint at the nation's "return" to the land promised by God, or perhaps the restoration of God's favor to a new generation. It speaks to a divine movement towards a destined place.
* **Shimron (Hebrew, _shimron'_):** Derived from the Hebrew root שָׁמַר (shamar), meaning "to guard," "to keep," or "to preserve." The name Shimron therefore means "guardian" or "watchman." This name, like Jashub, may carry symbolic weight, suggesting a role of protection or oversight for this family line within the tribe of Issachar, or more broadly, God's watchful care over His people and their inheritance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites:"** This clause identifies the first of the two family lines originating from Jashub, a son of Issachar (as established in [Numbers 26:23](/numbers/26-23 "Numbers 26:23 - The Sons of Issachar")). The phrasing "the family of the Jashubites" (מִשְׁפַּחַת הַיָּשׁוּבִי) emphasizes the collective identity and lineage tracing back to the patriarch Jashub. It signifies that this group, though part of the larger tribe of Issachar, maintained a distinct internal identity and was counted as a recognizable unit within the national census. This precision underscores the meticulous nature of the record-keeping, highlighting every branch of the tribal tree.
* **"of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites."** This second clause parallels the first, introducing the family line descended from Shimron, another son of Issachar. The identical grammatical structure reinforces the systematic and thorough nature of the census. Like the Jashubites, the Shimronites represent a distinct, countable family unit within the tribe. The inclusion of both families, side-by-side, underscores the comprehensive scope of the census, ensuring that all legitimate descendants were accounted for, thereby validating their claim to a portion of the land and their place within the covenant community.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:24, as part of a larger census, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Genealogy** as its core literary devices. The entire chapter is a detailed list, and this verse contributes to the systematic counting of individuals and families. The specific phrasing "Of [name], the family of the [name]-ites" demonstrates **Repetition** and **Parallelism**, creating a rhythmic and consistent pattern throughout the census list. This repetitive structure serves to emphasize the thoroughness and orderliness of the divine record. While seemingly dry, this precise listing functions as a foundational **Record-Keeping** mechanism, validating the identity and rights of each family unit within the nation of Israel, thereby reinforcing the themes of divine order and covenant faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:24, though a simple genealogical entry, profoundly illustrates God's intimate knowledge of and care for every individual and family within His covenant people. It is a testament to His unwavering faithfulness, demonstrating that even amidst the wilderness judgments and the passing of a generation, His promises endure. God's meticulous attention to these family lines, ensuring their preservation and recognition, underscores that no detail of His plan or His people is overlooked. This divine precision provides a powerful assurance that God's covenant promises are not vague generalities but specific, detailed commitments that He will meticulously fulfill, ensuring the continuity of His people and the eventual inheritance of His blessings.

* [Psalm 139:13-16](/psalm/139-13 "Psalm 139:13-16 - God's Intimate Knowledge of Us")
* [2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")
* [Genesis 46:13](/genesis/46-13 "Genesis 46:13 - The Sons of Issachar")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:24, a seemingly mundane list of names, offers profound spiritual insights for believers today. It reminds us that God is not a distant, impersonal deity, but one who knows and cares for every detail of our lives, just as He knew every family line in ancient Israel. Our individual identities, our heritage, and our place within the larger family of God are all known to Him. This verse encourages us to trust in God's meticulous providence, knowing that if He cared enough to record every family for a physical inheritance, He certainly cares for our spiritual inheritance and our place in His eternal kingdom. It also calls us to recognize our unique contribution within the body of Christ; just as each family had a distinct role in Israel, so too do we have a unique calling and purpose within the church, contributing to the strength and mission of the whole.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census, including specific family lines, challenge our perception of God's attention to "small" things in our own lives?**
* **In what ways does the continuity of these family lines, despite the wilderness generation's failures, affirm God's faithfulness to His promises in your life?**
* **How does understanding your place within the larger "family of God" (the church) encourage you, knowing that God has a specific purpose for you?**

### FAQ

**Why is this census in Numbers 26, including verses like 26:24, so important for the Israelite nation?**

Answer: This second census was critically important for several reasons. Firstly, it established the new generation that would enter and inherit the Promised Land, replacing the generation that largely perished in the wilderness due to disobedience. Secondly, and directly related to verses like [Numbers 26:24](/numbers/26-24 "Numbers 26:24 - The Families of Jashub and Shimron"), the census was the basis for the equitable distribution of land in Canaan. As stated in [Numbers 26:54](/numbers/26-54 "Numbers 26:54 - Land Distribution by Population"), "To the more you shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give the less inheritance." Each family's size determined its portion. It also served to re-establish military readiness and reinforce the tribal and family structure, ensuring divine order for the nation's future.

**What is the deeper significance of listing specific families like the Jashubites and Shimronites, beyond just counting numbers?**

Answer: Listing specific families like the Jashubites and Shimronites goes beyond mere numerical tallying; it underscores God's profound attention to detail and His intimate knowledge of His people. It affirms that every individual and every family unit has a recognized identity and a place within God's overarching plan for the nation. This precision demonstrates God's faithfulness to His covenant promises, ensuring that the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come was meticulously preserved. It also highlights the importance of generational continuity and the unique contribution of each "family" or group within the larger community of faith, reflecting God's orderly nature and His care for every part of His creation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:24, with its meticulous listing of family lines preparing for an earthly inheritance, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate "family" of God and the eternal inheritance secured by Jesus Christ. The precise genealogies in the Old Testament, culminating in verses like [Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ") and [Luke 3:23-38](/luke/3-23 "Luke 3:23-38 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), demonstrate God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, meticulously tracing the lineage through which the Messiah, the true heir of all things, would come. Jesus is the ultimate "Jashub," the one who "returns" to establish His eternal kingdom, reversing the curse of sin and bringing His people back into perfect fellowship with God. He is also the ultimate "Shimron," the divine "guardian" and "keeper" of His covenant, protecting His church and preserving His people for their heavenly inheritance. While the Jashubites and Shimronites received a portion of the Promised Land, Christ offers a spiritual inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - The Living Hope")). Through His sacrifice, He gathers all who believe into the true family of God, transcending earthly genealogies to form a new spiritual lineage, where all are "sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus" ([Galatians 3:26](/galatians/3-26 "Galatians 3:26 - Sons of God Through Faith")).

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 46:13

And the sons of Issachar; Tola, and Phuvah, and Job, and Shimron.