Numbers 26:38

Translation
King James Version
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:
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KJV (with Strong's)
The sons H1121 of Benjamin H1144 after their families H4940: of Bela H1106, the family H4940 of the Belaites H1108: of Ashbel H788, the family H4940 of the Ashbelites H789: of Ahiram H297, the family H4940 of the Ahiramites H298:
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Complete Jewish Bible
The descendants of Binyamin, by their families were: of Bela, the family of the Bal'i; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbeli; of Achiram, the family of the Achirami;
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Berean Standard Bible
These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: The Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram,
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American Standard Version
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;
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World English Bible Messianic
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;
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Geneva Bible (1599)
These are the sonnes of Beniamin after their families: of Bela came the familie of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the familie of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the familie of the Ahiramites:
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Young's Literal Translation
Sons of Benjamin by their families: of Bela is the family of the Belaite; of Ashbel the family of the Ashbelite; of Ahiram the family of the Ahiramite;
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See also
1 Chronicles 8:1Genesis 46:21 Chronicles 7:61 Chronicles 7:12Genesis 46:21
In the KJVVerse 4,528 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Numbers 26:38 meticulously records the family divisions within the tribe of Benjamin, specifically listing the descendants of Bela, Ashbel, and Ahiram. This verse is part of the comprehensive second census of Israel, conducted in the plains of Moab, which served as a crucial administrative and theological exercise to determine the tribal structure and allocate land inheritance in the Promised Land, underscoring God's faithfulness in preserving His people and preparing them for their future.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Numbers 26:38 is embedded within the detailed account of the second census of Israel, recorded in Numbers chapter 26. This census, taken in the plains of Moab just before Israel's entry into Canaan, follows the devastating plague at Peor, recounted in Numbers 25:9. Unlike the first census at Mount Sinai, which focused primarily on military readiness and organization (as seen in Numbers 1:1-3), this second enumeration was explicitly for the purpose of land distribution. The size of each tribe and its constituent families would directly determine the extent of their inheritance in the Promised Land, as stipulated in Numbers 26:54. The listing of Benjamin's families here is part of a larger pattern that systematically accounts for each tribe, demonstrating God's meticulous order and preparation for His people's future.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: The setting for this census is the plains of Moab, on the eastern side of the Jordan River, signifying the culmination of forty years of wilderness wandering and the imminent entry into Canaan. Culturally, Israel was organized as a tribal confederation, with lineage and family identity being paramount. Genealogies were not merely historical records; they were vital for establishing social standing, legal rights, and, most importantly, claims to ancestral land. The tribe of Benjamin, named after the youngest son of Jacob and Rachel (Genesis 35:18), held a significant place within Israel. The meticulous detailing of its families reflects the patriarchal structure where identity flowed through male lines, ensuring continuity and order for the nation's future settlement. This census also served as a demographic update, accounting for the new generation that had grown up in the wilderness, replacing the generation that largely perished due to disobedience.
  • Key Themes: The meticulous genealogical record in Numbers 26:38, and indeed the entire chapter, contributes to several overarching themes. Firstly, it highlights Divine Order and Preservation. Despite the failures, rebellions, and judgments that decimated the previous generation (as seen in Numbers 14:29-30), God faithfully preserved the tribal identities and family lines of Israel, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. Secondly, it underscores the Continuity of God's Covenant. The very existence and organization of these families, ready to inherit the land, served as tangible proof that God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (e.g., Genesis 12:7) remained steadfast across generations, even through periods of human unfaithfulness. Finally, the primary practical purpose of this census was Preparation for Inheritance. Each family's strength and numerical count directly contributed to the overall tribal total, which in turn determined their portion of the Promised Land, emphasizing that God's blessings often require human organization and readiness.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Sons (Hebrew, bên', H1121): This term, while literally meaning 'sons,' in genealogical lists like this, often denotes direct descendants or founding members of a lineage from whom distinct family branches sprung. It signifies the continuity of a patriarchal line and the establishment of distinct family branches within the tribe, ensuring that the historical and legal claims of each group were clearly defined.
  • Families (Hebrew, mishpâchâh', H4940): This term refers to a clan or extended family unit, often encompassing several households. In the context of Israel, these were foundational socio-religious units, crucial for identity, inheritance, and military organization. The meticulous listing underscores God's ordered preservation of His people, demonstrating His care for the corporate structure through which His covenant promises would be realized.
  • Bela (Hebrew, Belaʻ', H1106): This is a specific personal name, one of Benjamin's sons, who became the progenitor of a significant family line. His inclusion here, alongside Ashbel and Ahiram, highlights the importance of individual patriarchs in establishing the foundational units of the tribe, whose collective strength and identity were essential for the nation's future.

Verse Breakdown

  • "The sons of Benjamin after their families": This opening clause introduces the specific focus on the tribe of Benjamin, one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and immediately indicates that the subsequent listing will detail its internal divisions based on family units. It sets the stage for the genealogical record that follows, emphasizing the importance of internal tribal organization for the nation's future and the impending land distribution.
  • "of Bela, the family of the Belaites": Bela is identified as a direct son of Benjamin in other biblical genealogies (e.g., Genesis 46:21 and 1 Chronicles 7:6). This phrase specifies that the descendants of Bela formed a distinct clan, the "Belaites," emphasizing the continuity of lineage and the establishment of a recognized family unit within the larger tribe, whose numbers would contribute to Benjamin's overall strength.
  • "of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites": Similarly, Ashbel is listed as another son of Benjamin in parallel genealogies. The formation of the "Ashbelites" as a family unit underscores the meticulous record-keeping of Israelite tribal structure, vital for maintaining identity and preparing for the allocation of land in Canaan. This repetition highlights the systematic nature of the census and God's attention to every detail of His people's organization.
  • "of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites": Ahiram (also known as Ehi or Aharah in other lists, reflecting textual variations or alternative names) represents a third significant family line descending from Benjamin. The consistent pattern of "of X, the family of the X-ites" across these entries reinforces the systematic nature of the census and the importance of each family's distinct identity within the tribal framework, ensuring that no legitimate claim to inheritance would be overlooked.

Literary Devices

The primary literary device at play in Numbers 26:38 is Genealogy, which serves not merely as a dry list of names but as a foundational element for establishing identity, validating claims to land, and demonstrating the fulfillment of divine promises. The meticulous recording of "families" (mishpachot) underscores the ordered nature of God's people and His attention to detail in their corporate life. Closely related is Enumeration, the systematic listing of individuals and groups, which provides a comprehensive record for administrative and theological purposes, particularly for the impending land distribution. Furthermore, the verse employs Repetition through the consistent linguistic pattern "of [son's name], the family of the [son's name]-ites." This repetitive structure reinforces the distinct identity of each family unit, aids in clarity, and emphasizes the continuity of the lineage from the patriarch to the current generation, highlighting God's faithfulness in preserving His people through the wilderness.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Numbers 26:38, though a seemingly dry genealogical entry, is rich with theological significance. It powerfully illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, even in the face of human failure and the passing of a disobedient generation. The meticulous preservation of these family lines demonstrates God's sovereign hand in maintaining the identity and structure of His chosen people, ensuring that the promises made to Abraham regarding a numerous offspring and a land inheritance would indeed come to fruition. This divine order and attention to detail underscore that God's plans are precise and enduring, transcending individual lifespans and human shortcomings. The census, and this verse within it, serves as a tangible expression of God's preparation of His people for the fulfillment of their destiny in the Promised Land.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

While a list of family names might initially appear distant from contemporary life, Numbers 26:38 offers profound insights into God's character and our place within His ongoing narrative. It reminds us that God is a God of order, detail, and enduring faithfulness. He cares not only for the grand sweep of history but also for the individual and corporate identities of His people. Just as He meticulously preserved the families of Benjamin for their inheritance, He faithfully works through generations to bring His purposes to pass. This should instill in us a deep sense of security and belonging within God's larger family, the church. We are called to recognize our unique identity and role within the body of Christ, preparing ourselves spiritually for the inheritance and responsibilities God has for us, trusting that His plans for us are as meticulously cared for as they were for the ancient Israelites. Our lives, too, are part of His grand design, contributing to His kingdom's advance.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the census, as seen in Benjamin's families, speak to His care for your individual life and identity?
  • In what ways do you see God's faithfulness enduring through generations, both in biblical history and in your own family or community?
  • What spiritual "inheritance" are you preparing for, and how does understanding your place in God's larger story motivate you to live with purpose?
  • How can the concept of "family" in Numbers 26:38 inform your understanding of the church as God's spiritual family today?

FAQ

Why are only three sons of Benjamin listed here when other passages list more?

Answer: Numbers 26:38 lists the prominent family lines of Benjamin that survived and were significant for the purpose of this second census, which was primarily for land allocation. While earlier genealogies, such as Genesis 46:21 and 1 Chronicles 7:6, list more sons of Benjamin, it's common in biblical genealogies for lists to be selective. Reasons for this selectivity can include: some lines may have died out in the wilderness, certain families may have become numerically insignificant, or the focus is specifically on the major, surviving clans that would receive a land inheritance. The purpose of the list dictates its content, ensuring that the most relevant family units for the impending settlement of Canaan are accounted for.

What was the primary purpose of these detailed family lists in the Book of Numbers?

Answer: The detailed family lists in Numbers, particularly in Numbers chapter 26, served several crucial purposes. Foremost, they were essential for the allocation of the Promised Land. As stated in Numbers 26:54, the size of each tribe and its constituent families determined the extent of their inheritance. Secondly, these lists were vital for military organization and conscription, identifying those eligible for service (as seen in the first census in Numbers 1:3). Thirdly, they reinforced tribal and family identity, preserving the lineage and heritage of each Israelite, which was critical for social order and religious practice. The lists also served as a theological testament to God's faithfulness in preserving His covenant people despite their wilderness wanderings and the passing of a generation, demonstrating His meticulous care for His chosen nation.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The meticulous genealogical record of Benjamin's families in Numbers 26:38, while seemingly focused on physical lineage and land inheritance, ultimately points to the greater spiritual inheritance and the ultimate "Son" through whom all God's promises are fulfilled: Jesus Christ. Just as the Israelite families were counted and organized for their earthly inheritance, believers in Christ are counted as part of a new spiritual family, the church, destined for an eternal inheritance. The preservation of these family lines underscores God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, a faithfulness supremely demonstrated in sending His Son. In Christ, the true "seed" of Abraham, all the promises of God find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20). We who are in Christ are no longer defined by earthly lineage but by our spiritual adoption as sons and daughters of God (Galatians 3:29). Our inheritance is not a plot of land but "an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" (1 Peter 1:4). The divine order seen in the census foreshadows the perfect order of God's new creation, where Christ is the head of His body, the church, and every believer finds their true identity and belonging in Him (Ephesians 1:11).

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Commentary on Numbers 26 verses 5–51

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.
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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.
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