Numbers 26:31

KJV

And [of] Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and [of] Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:

KJV (with Strong's)

And of Asriel {H844}, the family {H4940} of the Asrielites {H845}: and of Shechem {H7928}, the family {H4940} of the Shechemites {H7930}:

Complete Jewish Bible

of Asri'el, the family of the Asri'eli; of Sh'khem, the family of the Shikhmi;

Berean Standard Bible

the Asrielite clan from Asriel, the Shechemite clan from Shechem,

American Standard Version

and of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:31 meticulously records the families of Asriel and Shechem, two prominent clans within the tribe of Manasseh, as part of the second comprehensive census of Israel. This verse, situated within a detailed genealogical listing, underscores God's divine order and meticulous care in preparing the new generation of Israelites for their inheritance in the Promised Land, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant promises despite the failures of the previous generation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:31 is embedded within the extensive second census of Israel, detailed in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"). This chapter serves as a pivotal bridge between the wilderness wanderings and the imminent entry into Canaan. Following the devastating plague at Baal-peor (Numbers 25), which decimated a significant portion of the rebellious first generation, this census establishes the new demographic and military strength of Israel. The meticulous listing of families, including the Asrielites and Shechemites, is not merely a record of names but a foundational act for the equitable distribution of the land, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 26:54](/numbers/26-54 "Numbers 26:54 - Land Distribution by Population"). It parallels the first census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), highlighting the passing of one era and the beginning of another, marked by God's renewed focus on fulfilling His promises.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This census took place in the plains of Moab, on the cusp of the Israelites' entry into Canaan, approximately 38 years after the first census at Sinai. Culturally, censuses in the ancient Near East often served military and taxation purposes, but for Israel, they held profound theological significance. This particular enumeration was crucial for several reasons: to ascertain the number of fighting men (those 20 years and older) for the conquest of Canaan, to establish the population basis for the division of the land among the tribes and their sub-clans, and to demonstrate God's continued covenant relationship with a new generation. The emphasis on specific families like the Asrielites and Shechemites reflects the patrilineal and clan-based structure of Israelite society, where identity, inheritance, and social standing were intrinsically tied to one's family lineage.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 26:31 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Order and Organization**. God's meticulous attention to every family and individual within Israel demonstrates His sovereign control and purposeful planning for His people, ensuring a structured and just society. Secondly, it highlights the **Continuity of God's Promises**. Despite the rebellion and judgment that befell the generation of the Exodus (cf. [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26 "Numbers 14:26-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")), God remains faithful to His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, raising up a new generation to inherit the land. This census is a tangible sign of that enduring faithfulness. Finally, the verse underscores **Preparation for Inheritance**. The primary practical purpose of this detailed census was to prepare for the allocation of tribal territories in Canaan, a process later detailed in the book of Joshua, particularly seen in the distribution to Manasseh in [Joshua 17:1-6](/joshua/17-1 "Joshua 17:1-6 - Manasseh's Inheritance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Asriel (אשריאל, _'Asri'el'_):** This name is derived from the Hebrew root for "happy" or "blessed" (אשר, _'asher'_) combined with "El" (אל), a common Hebrew term for God. Thus, Asriel can be interpreted as "God is my help," "God is my bond," or "blessed of God." The naming of a family after its progenitor reflects the strong patriarchal and lineage-based identity within ancient Israel, where the family's name carried a theological or descriptive meaning about its founder.
* **Shechem (שכם, _Shekhem_):** Meaning "shoulder" or "back," this name often connotes strength, burden-bearing, or even a prominent geographical feature (like a mountain ridge). While Shechem is famously a significant city in Canaan (e.g., [Genesis 33:18](/genesis/33-18 "Genesis 33:18 - Jacob Arrives at Shechem")), here it refers to a person, a grandson of Manasseh through his son Gilead. The naming of a family ("Shechemites") after this individual reinforces the genealogical structure of the census and the importance of individual progenitors in establishing tribal identity.
* **Family (מִשְׁפָּחָה, _mishpachah_):** This Hebrew term is crucial, denoting a clan, extended family, or even a sub-tribe. It signifies a group of related households sharing a common ancestor. In the context of the census, the "family" was the fundamental unit for land allocation and military organization. The repetition of "the family of the X-ites" emphasizes the meticulous breakdown of the larger tribe into its constituent, identifiable units, ensuring that every part of Israel was accounted for and had its rightful place and inheritance.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And [of] Asriel, the family of the Asrielites:"** This clause identifies Asriel, a son of Gilead (Manasseh's son), as the progenitor of the "Asrielites," a distinct clan within the tribe of Manasseh. The phrasing highlights the direct lineage from the individual to the collective family unit, emphasizing the genealogical basis of Israelite society and the census. This family would receive an inheritance based on its numbers.
* **"and [of] Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:"** Parallel to the first clause, this identifies Shechem, another son of Gilead, as the founder of the "Shechemites." The identical grammatical structure reinforces the systematic nature of the census, treating each family with equal importance in the grand scheme of the tribal enumeration. It underscores that every recognized clan, regardless of size, was accounted for in God's plan for the land's distribution.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:31, as part of a larger census, primarily employs **Genealogical Listing**, a common literary device in biblical texts (e.g., Genesis 5, 1 Chronicles 1-9). This device serves to establish lineage, demonstrate continuity, and provide a historical framework. The meticulous enumeration of names and families, though seemingly dry, functions to underscore the divine order and the precise fulfillment of God's promises. The **Repetition** of the phrase "the family of the X-ites" (e.g., "the family of the Asrielites," "the family of the Shechemites") creates a rhythmic pattern that emphasizes the comprehensive and systematic nature of the census. This repetition highlights that every recognized clan was accounted for, reinforcing the themes of divine meticulousness and the importance of each family unit in the overall structure of Israel. The census itself can be seen as a form of **Symbolism**, representing God's active involvement in the details of His people's lives and His preparation of them for their destiny.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:31, though a seemingly minor detail in a lengthy list, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous involvement in the lives of His people and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. The careful accounting of each family, even within a sub-tribe, speaks to a divine order that undergirds all of creation and history. It signifies that God knows His people intimately, not just as a collective, but as individuals and distinct family units, each with a place and purpose in His grand design. This attention to detail assures us that God's plans are precise and purposeful, even when human actions seem chaotic or disobedient. It also reinforces the theme of inheritance, showing that God's faithfulness ensures that the blessings promised to Abraham would indeed be passed down through specific, identifiable lineages, preparing them for the physical possession of the land.

* [Numbers 1:1-46](/numbers/1/1-46 "The First Census at Sinai")
* [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14/26-35 "God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")
* [Joshua 17:1-6](/joshua/17/1-6 "Manasseh's Inheritance in Canaan")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed accounting of families in Numbers 26:31, far from being a mere historical record, offers profound spiritual lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God is a God of order, purpose, and meticulous detail. Just as He knew each family and their place in the inheritance of Canaan, He knows each of us intimately, numbering even the hairs on our heads. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan for our lives, knowing that He has a specific place and purpose for us within His spiritual family, the church. It also highlights the importance of our spiritual lineage and identity in Christ, preparing us for our eternal inheritance. We are called to live in an ordered manner, reflecting God's character, and to be ready for the spiritual blessings and responsibilities He has prepared for us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the census encourage you in your own life and circumstances?**
* **In what ways do you see yourself as part of God's spiritual family, and how does that belonging shape your identity and purpose?**
* **How might God be preparing you now, through various experiences and relationships, for future blessings or responsibilities in His kingdom?**

### FAQ

**Why was this second census so important, given that a first one was already taken?**

Answer: The second census, detailed in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"), was critically important for several reasons distinct from the first census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"). Firstly, the first generation of Israelites, those who rebelled at Kadesh-barnea, had largely died off in the wilderness as a divine judgment (see [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14/26-35 "God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")). This second census was taken to count the new generation, those twenty years and older, who would actually enter and inherit the Promised Land. Secondly, its primary purpose was practical: to determine the military strength of the new generation for the impending conquest of Canaan and, more importantly, to provide an accurate demographic basis for the fair and orderly distribution of the land among the tribes and their families, as specified in [Numbers 26:54](/numbers/26/54 "Numbers 26:54 - Principles of Land Distribution").

**What is the significance of listing specific families like Asrielites and Shechemites?**

Answer: The listing of specific families like the Asrielites and Shechemites holds significant practical and theological weight. Practically, it was essential for the equitable distribution of land. The size of each family directly influenced the portion of land they would receive, ensuring that the inheritance was proportional to their numbers. Theologically, it underscores God's meticulous attention to detail and His commitment to order. Every family, no matter how seemingly small or obscure, was known and accounted for in God's divine plan. It reinforces the importance of lineage and identity within Israelite society, demonstrating that God's covenant promises were being fulfilled through specific, identifiable family lines, ensuring the continuity of His people and their claim to the promised inheritance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous census of Numbers 26:31, detailing the families of Asriel and Shechem, finds its ultimate fulfillment and spiritual depth in Christ. The census of the old covenant generation was a preparation for inheriting a physical land; in the new covenant, Christ is the head of a new spiritual generation, preparing them for an eternal, spiritual inheritance. Just as the Israelites were counted and organized for their earthly portion, believers in Christ are "numbered" and adopted into God's family, becoming heirs of an incorruptible inheritance (cf. [1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope and Incorruptible Inheritance")). The emphasis on specific families foreshadows the truth that in Christ, all who believe, regardless of their earthly lineage, are grafted into the spiritual family of God, becoming "heirs according to the promise" (cf. [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")). The divine order seen in the census points to Christ as the one through whom all things are held together and ordered (cf. [Colossians 1:17](/colossians/1-17 "Colossians 1:17 - Christ, the Head of Creation")), and our ultimate "inheritance" is found in Him, not in a geographical location, but in the spiritual blessings of the heavenly kingdom (cf. [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). Through Christ, the promise of a "land" transforms into the promise of eternal life and fellowship with God, a far greater and lasting inheritance.

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.