Numbers 26:37

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

These are the families {H4940} of the sons {H1121} of Ephraim {H669} according to those that were numbered {H6485} of them, thirty {H7970} and two {H8147} thousand {H505} and five {H2568} hundred {H3967}. These are the sons {H1121} of Joseph {H3130} after their families {H4940}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These were the families of the descendants of Efrayim, according to those of them that were counted, 32,500. These were the descendants of Yosef, by their families.

Berean Standard Bible

These were the clans of Ephraim, and their registration numbered 32,500. These clans were the descendants of Joseph.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:37 precisely records the demographic data for the tribe of Ephraim during the second census of Israel, indicating their strength as thirty-two thousand five hundred. This verse explicitly identifies them as "the sons of Joseph after their families," serving as a crucial organizational and numerical record for the new generation poised to inherit the Promised Land, thereby underscoring God's meticulous order, enduring covenant faithfulness, and the continuity of Joseph's legacy within the nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:37 is situated within the comprehensive second census of the Israelite tribes, meticulously recorded in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"). This enumeration follows the first census taken at Sinai in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census at Sinai"), serving as a critical update after the forty years of wilderness wanderings. The chapter systematically lists the fighting men (those twenty years old and upward) from each tribe, preparing them for the imminent conquest and subsequent division of the land of Canaan. The specific focus on Ephraim here, alongside other tribes, is part of a larger, divinely ordained accounting, emphasizing tribal identity and numerical strength as foundational for the nation's future settlement and governance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census takes place on the plains of Moab, a pivotal geographical location on the cusp of the Promised Land, signifying the end of the wilderness journey and the beginning of a new era for Israel. Culturally, such a census was crucial for military readiness, determining the number of men available for battle, and for the equitable distribution of land by lot, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 26:53](/numbers/26-53 "Numbers 26:53 - Land Distribution by Lot"). Historically, this census marks a new generation, as the previous generation, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua, had perished in the wilderness due to their disobedience and unbelief, a judgment detailed in [Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - God's Judgment on the Wilderness Generation"). This context highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite human failure and the necessity of a new, obedient generation to enter the land.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several overarching themes within Numbers and the Pentateuch. It underscores **Divine Order and Sovereignty**, demonstrating God's meticulous attention to detail and His active involvement in organizing His people for His purposes, particularly as they prepare for a new phase of their national history. The very existence of a new generation, ready and numbered, powerfully illustrates **God's Covenant Faithfulness**, proving that His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob endure across generations, even through periods of judgment and national failure. Furthermore, the numerical count for Ephraim directly relates to the theme of **Inheritance**, as each tribe's size would determine its portion of the land, a principle later actualized in [Joshua 16](/joshua/16 "Joshua 16 - Ephraim's and Manasseh's Inheritance"). Finally, the explicit mention of "the sons of Joseph" highlights the enduring **Legacy of Joseph**, whose two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were elevated to full tribal status, fulfilling Jacob's prophetic blessing in [Genesis 48:5](/genesis/48-5 "Genesis 48:5 - Jacob's Adoption of Ephraim and Manasseh") and ensuring Joseph's prominent place in Israel's history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Families (Hebrew, _mishpâchâh'_):** This term (H4940) refers to a family, clan, or circle of relatives, and by extension, a tribe or people. In the context of the census, the "family" unit was the fundamental social and legal building block of Israelite society. It emphasizes the importance of lineage and kinship in ancient Israel, as the land inheritance was distributed according to these family units, ensuring the preservation of ancestral lines and tribal identity. This highlights the communal aspect of God's covenant with Israel.
* **Sons (Hebrew, _bên_):** The word (H1121) literally means "son" but is used in a very wide sense to denote relationship, including descendants, members of a group, or even quality. In this verse, it specifically refers to the direct descendants of Ephraim and, more broadly, to the lineage of Joseph. The repetition of "sons" underscores the continuity of generations and the importance of patriarchal lines in establishing tribal identity and rights, particularly concerning the inheritance of the Promised Land.
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This verb (H6485) means "to visit," "to oversee," "to muster," or "to count." It carries a deeper theological nuance than a mere statistical count. In this context, _pâqad_ implies a divine visitation, inspection, or appointment for a specific purpose. It suggests that God Himself is overseeing and acknowledging each individual and family within the tribal structure, preparing them for His sovereign plans, particularly the conquest and inheritance of Canaan. It signifies a divine accounting, where every person is known and accounted for by God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [are] the families of the sons of Ephraim":** This opening clause precisely identifies the tribal group whose demographic data is being presented. It establishes the focus on Ephraim, one of the two tribes descended from Joseph, setting the stage for their specific numerical report and emphasizing the family units that comprise the tribe.
* **"according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred":** This provides the exact numerical strength of the tribe of Ephraim at the time of the second census. This figure was crucial for military purposes (determining available fighting men) and for the subsequent allocation of land, as the size of a tribe directly influenced the extent of its territorial inheritance in Canaan. The precision of the number reflects God's meticulous organization.
* **"These [are] the sons of Joseph after their families":** This concluding statement serves as a reaffirmation of Ephraim's lineage and its direct connection to Joseph. It reiterates the unique status of Ephraim (and Manasseh) as distinct tribes, fulfilling the patriarchal blessings and emphasizing the continuity of God's plan through Joseph's descendants, who were counted as full tribes of Israel. This highlights Joseph's enduring legacy and the prominence of his line within the nation.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:37, as part of a larger census, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Cataloging**. The entire chapter is a meticulous list of tribal populations, demonstrating a divine commitment to order, precision, and accountability. This detailed accounting is not merely statistical; it serves to underscore God's sovereign oversight of His people, knowing each family and its strength as they prepare for a new era. The **Repetition** of phrases like "these are the families" and the consistent numerical format throughout the chapter reinforces the systematic nature of the census and the importance of tribal and family identity within Israel. Furthermore, the verse implicitly points to **Fulfillment**, as the existence of a new generation ready to enter the land, meticulously counted, signifies the ongoing fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham regarding his numerous descendants and their inheritance of the land.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:37, though a seemingly dry demographic detail, profoundly illustrates God's meticulous care and unwavering covenant faithfulness. The very act of numbering each family and tribe demonstrates that God is a God of order, who sees and knows every individual within His covenant community. This census, taken after the tragic loss of the wilderness generation due to their unbelief, powerfully testifies to God's commitment to His promises; He raises up a new generation to fulfill His purposes, ensuring the continuity of His plan for Israel to inherit the land. It underscores that God's plans are not thwarted by human failure but are ultimately brought to fruition through His steadfast love and sovereign provision, preparing His people for their destiny.

* [Numbers 1:46](/numbers/1-46 "Numbers 1:46 - Total of the First Census")
* [Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - God's Judgment on the Wilderness Generation")
* [Joshua 16:5](/joshua/16-5 "Joshua 16:5 - Ephraim's Territorial Inheritance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:37 reminds us that God is intimately involved in the details of His people's lives, not just in grand, sweeping narratives. His meticulous counting of each family and tribe, even after a generation's failure, speaks volumes about His faithfulness and His commitment to His promises. For us today, this means that God sees and knows us individually, caring about the seemingly small details of our lives and our unique place within His larger plan. It offers immense hope: even when we or those around us falter, God remains true to His word, raising up new generations and new opportunities to advance His kingdom. Just as Israel was prepared for their inheritance, we are called to be prepared for God's purposes in our lives, trusting in His sovereign plan and His ongoing work of equipping us for His service. This preparation involves spiritual discipline, readiness to obey, and a deep reliance on His guidance as we seek to live out our calling, knowing that He has numbered our days and our steps.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the census encourage or challenge your view of His involvement in your own life?**
* **In what ways do you see God's faithfulness enduring through generations, even when previous generations have faltered in faith or obedience?**
* **How might God be "numbering" or preparing you for a specific purpose in His kingdom today, and what steps can you take to be ready?**

### FAQ
**Why was a second census necessary for the Israelites?**

Answer: A second census was necessary primarily because the first generation of Israelites, counted at Sinai in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census at Sinai"), had largely perished in the wilderness due to their disobedience and unbelief, as prophesied in [Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - God's Judgment on the Wilderness Generation"). This new census, taken on the plains of Moab, was for the new generation, preparing them for two crucial purposes: first, to determine the number of fighting men ready to conquer the Promised Land, and second, to provide a basis for the equitable division of the land among the tribes and families, as outlined in [Numbers 26:53](/numbers/26-53 "Numbers 26:53 - Land Distribution by Lot"). It signified a fresh start and God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises despite human failure, ensuring His plan for Israel's inheritance would be fulfilled.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:37, detailing the meticulous numbering of Ephraim and the sons of Joseph, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in God's perfect knowledge and sovereign ordering of His spiritual people. Just as the census prepared a physical generation to enter a physical land, Christ prepares His church, the new Israel, for a spiritual inheritance. The "sons of Joseph," elevated to tribal status, foreshadow the inclusion of all who are "in Christ," transcending physical lineage and national boundaries. The meticulous counting points to God's intimate knowledge of His elect, whose names are not merely in a tribal registry but are eternally written in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Book of Life"). The entry into the Promised Land, for which this census was a preparation, is ultimately realized in the spiritual rest and eternal inheritance found in Jesus Christ, who is our true "Promised Land" and the one who leads us into the new creation ([Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for God's People")). He is the true Joshua, leading His people into their spiritual inheritance, a far greater reality than the physical land ([Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3 "Hebrews 3 - Warning Against Unbelief")). Through Him, God's covenant promises of a numerous people and an eternal dwelling place are perfectly fulfilled, not by physical descent or military muster, but by faith in the resurrected Lord, who has made us heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ ([Romans/8-17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with 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

Numbers 2:18

On the west side [shall be] the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim [shall be] Elishama the son of Ammihud.

Numbers 2:19

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] forty thousand and five hundred.

Numbers 1:32

Of the children of Joseph, [namely], of the children of Ephraim, by their generations, after their families, by the house of their fathers, according to the number of the names, from twenty years old and upward, all that were able to go forth to war;

Numbers 1:33

Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Ephraim, [were] forty thousand and five hundred.