TRV
Translation
King James Version
These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.
Complete Jewish Bible
These were the families of Yissakhar, according to those counted of them, 64,300.
American Standard Version
These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.
World English Bible Messianic
These are the families of Issachar according to those who were numbered of them, sixty-four thousand three hundred.
Geneva Bible (1599)
These are the families of Issachar, after their nombers, threescore and foure thousand and three hundreth.
Young's Literal Translation
These are families of Issachar, by their numbered ones, four and sixty thousand and three hundred.
Study This Verse
Commentary on Numbers 26 verses 5–51
5 ¶ Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:
6 Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
7 These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
8 And the sons of Pallu; Eliab.
9 And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:
10 And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.
11 Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.
12 The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:
13 Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
14 These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.
15 The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:
16 Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:
17 Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
18 These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.
19 The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.
20 And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.
21 And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.
22 These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.
23 Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:
24 Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.
25 These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.
26 Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.
27 These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.
28 The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim.
29 Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites.
30 These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:
31 And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:
32 And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.
33 And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
34 These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.
35 These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
36 And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
37 These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.
38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:
39 Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.
40 And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.
41 These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.
42 These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
43 All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.
44 Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
45 Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.
46 And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.
47 These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
48 Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:
49 Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
50 These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.
51 These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
This is the register of the tribes as they were now enrolled, in the same order that they were numbered in ch. 1. Observe,
I. The account that is here kept of the families of each tribe, which must not be understood of such as we call families, those that live in a house together, but such as were the descendants of the several sons of the patriarchs, by whose names, in honour of them, their posterity distinguished themselves and one another. The families of the twelve tribes are thus numbered: - Of Dan but one, for Dan had but one son, and yet that tribe was the most numerous of all except Judah, Num 26:42, Num 26:43. Its beginning was small, but its latter end greatly increased. Zebulun was divided into three families, Ephraim into four, Issachar into four, Naphtali into four, and Reuben into four; Judah, Simeon, and Asher, had five families apiece, Gad and Benjamin seven apiece, and Manasseh eight. Benjamin brought ten sons into Egypt (Gen 46:21), but three of them, it seems either died childless or their families were extinct, for here we find seven only of those names preserved, and that whole tribe none of the most numerous; for Providence, in the building up of families and nations, does not tie itself to probabilities. The barren hath borne seven, and she that hath many children has waxed feeble, Sa1 2:5.
II. The numbers of each tribe. And here our best entertainment will be to compare these numbers with those when they were numbered at Mount Sinai. The sum total was nearly the same; they were now 1820 fewer than they were then; yet seven of the tribes had increased in number. Judah had increased 1900, Issachar 9900, Zebulun 3100, Manasseh 20,500, Benjamin 10,200, Dan 1700, and Asher 11,900. But the other five had decreased more than to balance that increase. Reuben had decreased 2770, Simeon 37,100, Gad 5150, Ephraim 8000, and Naphtali 8000. In this account we may observe, 1. that all the three tribes that were encamped under the standard of Judah, who was the ancestor of Christ, had increased, for his church shall be edified and multiplied. 2. That none of the tribes had increased so much as that of Manasseh, which in the former account was the smallest of all the tribes, only 32,200, while here it is one of the most considerable; and that of his brother Ephraim, which there was numerous, is here one of the least. Jacob had crossed hands upon their heads, and had preferred Ephraim before Manasseh, which perhaps the Ephraimites had prided themselves too much in, and had trampled upon their brethren the Manassites; but, when the Lord saw that Manasseh was despised, he thus multiplied him exceedingly, for it is his glory to help the weakest, and raise up those that are cast down. 3. That none of the tribes decreased so much as Simeon did; from 59,300, it such to 22,200, little more than a third part of what it was. One whole family of that tribe (namely Ohad, mentioned Exo 6:15) was extinct in the wilderness. Hence Simeon is not mentioned in Moses's blessing (Deu. 33), and the lot of that tribe in Canaan was inconsiderable, only a canton out of Judah's lot, Jos 19:9. Some conjecture that most of those 24,000 who were cut off by the plague for the iniquity of Peor were of that tribe; for Zimri, who was a ringleader in that iniquity, was a prince of that tribe, many of whom therefore were influenced by his example to follow his pernicious ways.
III. In the account of the tribe of Reuben mention is made of the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram, who were of that tribe, in confederacy with Korah a Levite, Num 26:9-11. Though the story had been largely related but a few chapters before, yet here it comes in again, as fit to be had in remembrance and thought of by posterity, whenever they looked into their pedigree and pleased themselves with the antiquity of their families and the glory of their ancestors, that they might call themselves a seed of evil doers. Two things are here said of them: - 1. That they had been famous in the congregation, Num 26:9. Probably they were remarkable for their ingenuity, activity, and fitness for business: - That Dathan and Abiram that might have been advanced in due time under God and Moses; but their ambitious spirits put them upon striving against God and Moses, and when they quarrelled with the one they quarrelled with the other. And what was the issue? 2. Those that might have been famous were made infamous: they became a sign, Num 26:10. They were made monuments of divine justice; God, in their ruin, showed himself glorious in holiness, and so they were set up for a warning to all others, in all ages, to take heed of treading in the steps of their pride and rebellion. Notice is here taken of the preservation of the children of Korah (Num 26:11); they died not, as the children of Dathan and Abiram did, doubtless because they kept themselves pure from the infection, and would not join, no, not with their own father, in rebellion. If we partake not of the sins of sinners, we shall not partake of their plagues. These sons of Korah were afterwards, in their posterity, eminently serviceable to the church, being employed by David as singers in the house of the Lord; hence many psalms are said to be for the sons of Korah: and perhaps they were made to bear his name so long after, rather than the name of any other of their ancestors, for warning to themselves, and as an instance of the power of God, which brought those choice fruits even out of that bitter root. The children of families that have been stigmatized should endeavour, by their eminent virtues, to roll away the reproach of their fathers.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 5–51. Public domain.
Copy as
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Numbers 26:25 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Numbers 26:25 meticulously records the count of the tribe of Issachar during the second census of Israel, conducted on the plains of Moab. This specific numerical entry, stating Issachar's fighting men numbered sixty-four thousand and three hundred, is not merely an administrative detail but a profound testament to God's divine order, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite human failure, and His meticulous preparation of His people for the imminent inheritance and distribution of the Promised Land.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Numbers 26:25 is embedded within the comprehensive account of the second census of Israel, detailed in Numbers chapter 26. This census was taken on the plains of Moab, immediately prior to Israel's entry into Canaan, and serves as a crucial bridge between the wilderness wanderings and the conquest. It directly follows the tragic account of the plague at Baal-Peor, which claimed 24,000 lives (Numbers 25:9), and precedes the instructions for land distribution by lot, with larger tribes receiving larger portions (Numbers 26:54). This second numbering stands in stark contrast to the first census recorded in Numbers chapter 1, which took place at Mount Sinai at the beginning of their journey. The repetition of the census structure underscores the theme of a new generation ready to inherit God's promises, replacing the generation that perished in the wilderness due to disobedience.
Historical & Cultural Context: The historical setting for this census is the plains of Moab, a significant geographical location as it was the final staging ground before crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. In the ancient Near East, censuses were typically conducted for military conscription, taxation, and land allocation, all of which are relevant here. The timing is critical: the previous generation, marked by rebellion and unbelief (e.g., the Kadesh Barnea incident in Numbers 14), had largely died off, fulfilling God's judgment. This new generation, born in the wilderness, was now poised to fulfill the Abrahamic covenant. The meticulous counting of "families" highlights the patriarchal and tribal structure of Israelite society, where lineage and tribal identity were paramount for both social organization and the future allocation of land.
Key Themes: The verse, as part of the broader census, contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates Divine Order and Providence. The precise numbering of each tribe, down to the hundreds, emphasizes God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereign oversight of His people. He knows them individually and collectively, and His plan for their future, particularly their settlement in the Promised Land, is unfolding with precision. Secondly, it underscores God's Faithfulness to His Covenant. Despite the widespread disobedience and subsequent demise of the older generation, the continued existence and even growth of the Israelite population, as evidenced by these census figures (Issachar's numbers, for instance, increased from 54,400 in Numbers 1:29 to 64,300), demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His promise to Abraham to multiply his descendants into a great nation (Genesis 22:17). Finally, the census highlights Preparation for Inheritance. It was not merely an administrative task but a direct preparatory step for the fulfillment of God's promise of land. Each tribe's size directly influenced the size of its allocated territory in Canaan, emphasizing the practical implications of divine foresight and the imminence of God's promises being realized.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Families (Hebrew, mishpâchâh', H4940): This term emphasizes the genealogical and clan-based structure of the Israelite tribes. The census was not just a headcount of individuals but a reckoning of distinct family units, which was crucial for maintaining tribal identity, inheritance rights, and the future distribution of land by lot among these established family groups. It signifies the continuity of lineage and the preservation of distinct tribal identities within the larger nation, representing a "circle of relatives" or "kindred."
Issachar (Hebrew, Yissâˢkâr', H3485): The name itself, derived from "he will bring a reward," refers to the circumstances of his birth (Genesis 30:18). As one of the twelve tribes, Issachar's identity is rooted in Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49:14-15, where he is depicted as a "strong donkey" who "bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a servant to tribute." Later, 1 Chronicles 12:32 praises the "men of Issachar, who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do." This background adds depth to their numerical strength, suggesting a tribe with a history of hard work and, later, wisdom.
Numbered (Hebrew, pâqad', H6485): While commonly translated as "to number" or "to count," pâqad carries a richer theological meaning. It is a primitive root implying "to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc." In the context of the census, it implies not just a simple tally but a divine visitation and oversight, a reckoning by God. It suggests that God is actively involved in the accounting of His people, and this numbering serves a specific divine purpose—in this case, preparing them for the Promised Land and assessing their readiness for military action.
Verse Breakdown
"These [are] the families of Issachar": This introductory phrase clearly identifies the specific tribal unit being enumerated. It underscores the importance of the family and clan structure within Israel, as the census was organized along these lines. It highlights the distinct identity and lineage of Issachar, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose descendants formed a cohesive tribal entity.
"according to those that were numbered of them": This clause specifies that the following number is the result of the census process. It confirms that the count was conducted systematically, in accordance with God's command to Moses and Eleazar (Numbers 26:1-4). This phrase emphasizes the administrative and divinely commanded nature of the census, ensuring accuracy and adherence to the prescribed method of counting all males twenty years old and upward who were able to go to war.
"threescore and four thousand and three hundred": This is the precise numerical outcome for the tribe of Issachar. "Threescore" means sixty, so the total is 64,300. This figure represents the number of fighting men (those 20 years and older) in Issachar. Notably, this represents an increase from their first census count of 54,400 in Numbers 1:29, indicating growth and vitality despite the hardships and judgments of the wilderness journey. This growth is a quiet testament to God's sustaining power and His commitment to multiplying His people.
Literary Devices
Numbers 26:25, as part of the broader census record, employs several significant literary devices. The most prominent is Numerical Precision, where exact figures are meticulously recorded for each tribe. This precision conveys a sense of divine order, meticulousness, and historical accuracy, emphasizing that God is sovereign over every detail of His people's lives and destiny. The sheer volume of numbers throughout Numbers 26 creates an effect of Repetition, which reinforces the administrative nature of the census and the comprehensive scope of God's knowledge of His people. Furthermore, there is an implicit Contrast at play; the numbers of this second census stand in stark opposition to the fate of the first generation, whose numbers were also meticulously recorded but who subsequently perished in the wilderness. This contrast highlights God's judgment on disobedience but also His unwavering faithfulness to the new generation. Finally, the entire census acts as Foreshadowing, pointing directly to the imminent entry into the Promised Land and the subsequent distribution of territory based on these very numbers, thus linking the present administrative task to the future fulfillment of God's promises.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:25, while a seemingly simple numerical entry, carries profound theological weight. It underscores the biblical truth of God's meticulous care and detailed knowledge of His people. The very act of numbering, commanded by God, signifies His sovereign oversight and His intimate involvement in the lives of individuals and the collective destiny of the nation. This census, taken before the entry into the Promised Land, serves as a powerful reminder of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, particularly the Abrahamic promise of a numerous offspring and a land of inheritance. Despite the rebellion and judgment that decimated the previous generation, God preserved and even multiplied the new generation, demonstrating His grace and persistent purpose. The counting of each family and tribe also highlights the divine order in the community of faith, where each part contributes to the whole, and God prepares His people for the inheritance He has prepared for them.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly "dry" numbers of Numbers 26:25 offer rich soil for reflection on God's character and our place in His plan. This verse reminds us that God is not a God of chaos, but of meticulous order and intentionality. His counting of Issachar, and indeed all Israel, speaks to His intimate knowledge of every individual and His sovereign oversight of every detail of our lives. Just as He prepared a specific generation for a physical inheritance, He prepares us, His spiritual Israel, for a spiritual inheritance. The fact that Issachar's numbers grew, despite the harsh wilderness and the judgment on the previous generation, is a powerful testament to God's enduring faithfulness and His ability to bring life and growth even out of barrenness and failure. It challenges us to trust in His overarching plan, even when circumstances seem bleak or when past failures loom large. We are part of a continuous story of God's redemptive work, and like the Israelites, we are being prepared for our ultimate inheritance in Him.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was this second census taken?
Answer: The second census, of which Numbers 26:25 is a part, was taken for two primary, divinely ordained purposes. First, it was to determine the number of fighting men (males 20 years and older) available for the imminent conquest of the land of Canaan, as commanded by God in Numbers 26:2. Second, and equally important, it was to establish a basis for the equitable distribution of the Promised Land. As stated in Numbers 26:54, larger tribes would receive a larger inheritance, and smaller tribes a smaller one, ensuring fairness based on population size.
How did Issachar's numbers change from the first census?
Answer: The tribe of Issachar actually saw a significant increase in its numbers between the first census, recorded in Numbers chapter 1, and this second census in Numbers 26. In the first census, Issachar numbered 54,400 men. By the second census, as stated in Numbers 26:25, their count had risen to 64,300. This increase of 9,900 men highlights God's blessing and faithfulness, demonstrating growth and vitality despite the hardships, judgments, and deaths experienced during the forty years of wilderness wandering.
What is the significance of the "families" being counted?
Answer: The emphasis on counting "families" (Hebrew: mishpachot) in the census, as seen in Numbers 26:25, is deeply significant for the Israelite social and theological structure. It underscores that the census was not merely an individual headcount but a reckoning of distinct genealogical and clan units. This was crucial for several reasons: it preserved tribal identity and lineage, which was foundational to Israel's self-understanding; it maintained order within the larger national body; and most importantly, it was the basis for the future inheritance of land. The Promised Land was to be distributed by lot to the various families and clans within each tribe (Numbers 26:52-56), ensuring that the covenant promise of land was fulfilled to the specific descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through their established family lines.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:25, with its meticulous counting of a generation poised for inheritance, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the new covenant community, the Church. The Old Testament census numbered a physical people for an earthly inheritance, but Christ came to establish a spiritual kingdom and gather a people for a heavenly inheritance. Just as God knew each family and individual in Israel, so too does Christ, the Good Shepherd, know His sheep by name (John 10:14). The growth of Issachar's numbers, despite the wilderness and judgment, foreshadows the spiritual multiplication of God's people through the gospel, where countless individuals from every tribe and nation are "added to their number" (Acts 2:47) as they are redeemed by the Lamb of God. Our true "census" is found in the "assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven" (Hebrews 12:23), whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life. The inheritance we receive in Christ is not a plot of land, but an eternal, imperishable, and undefiled inheritance kept in heaven for us (1 Peter 1:4), making us co-heirs with Christ Himself (Romans 8:17). Thus, the meticulous counting in Numbers 26:25 points forward to the precise and purposeful gathering of God's redeemed people into His eternal kingdom through the finished work of Christ.