Numbers 26:40

KJV

And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: [of Ard], the family of the Ardites: [and] of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the sons {H1121} of Bela {H1106} were Ard {H714} and Naaman {H5283}: of Ard, the family {H4940} of the Ardites {H716}: and of Naaman {H5283}, the family {H4940} of the Naamites {H5280}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The sons of Bela were Ard and Na'aman; [of Ard,] the family of the Ardi; and of Na'aman, the family of the Na'ami.

Berean Standard Bible

And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman were the Ardite clan from Ard and the Naamite clan from Naaman.

American Standard Version

And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:40 meticulously records the specific family lines of Ard and Naaman, sons of Bela, who was a son of Benjamin. This verse is part of the second census of Israel, undertaken in the plains of Moab, which served to enumerate the new generation prepared to inherit the Promised Land, establish tribal and familial identities, and provide the basis for the equitable distribution of territory. It highlights the divine order and attention to detail in God's dealings with His people, ensuring every family had its designated place within the community of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:40 is situated within the lengthy and detailed second census of the Israelites, recorded in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"). This census occurs approximately 38 years after the first census detailed in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), and it marks a crucial transition point in Israel's history. Unlike the first census, which focused on the generation that largely perished in the wilderness due to disobedience, this second enumeration accounts for the new generation, born and raised during the wilderness wanderings, who are now poised to enter the Promised Land. The preceding verses in [Numbers 26:38-39](/numbers/26-38 "Numbers 26:38-39 - Sons of Benjamin") introduce Benjamin's sons and their descendants, with verse 40 specifically detailing two prominent family branches from Bela, Benjamin's firstborn. The meticulous listing of families like the Ardites and Naamites directly precedes the instructions for land distribution based on population size, as outlined in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution Instructions"), underscoring the practical purpose of this genealogical record.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for this census is the plains of Moab, on the eastern side of the Jordan River, directly opposite Jericho. This location signifies the Israelites' imminent entry into Canaan, the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. In ancient Near Eastern societies, genealogies were not merely historical records but foundational documents for social structure, legal rights, and especially land ownership. Tribal and familial identity was paramount, determining one's place within the community, military obligations, and inheritance claims. The detailed nature of this census, down to specific family branches, reflects the importance of maintaining clear lines of descent to ensure the equitable and divinely ordained distribution of the land. Furthermore, the census served a military purpose, assessing the fighting strength of each tribe for the impending conquest, and a theological purpose, demonstrating God's faithfulness in preserving and multiplying His people despite their rebellion and the judgments of the wilderness.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader census, contributes to several significant themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. A primary theme is **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, particularly the promise of land inheritance to Abraham's descendants, as seen in [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land"). The meticulous counting of the new generation demonstrates that God is bringing His people to the cusp of fulfilling this promise, despite the failures of the previous generation. Another key theme is **Divine Order and Meticulousness**. The very act of God commanding such a detailed census, down to specific family units like the Ardites and Naamites, reveals His orderly nature and His concern for every individual and family within His covenant people. This precision ensures justice in land allocation and reinforces the structured nature of the Israelite community. Finally, the emphasis on **Identity and Belonging through Lineage** is central. Each family, identified by its patriarch, knew its place within the larger tribal structure, reinforcing a collective identity as the people of God, destined for a shared inheritance, as articulated in [Numbers 33:54](/numbers/33-54 "Numbers 33:54 - Land Distribution by Lot").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Bela (Hebrew, _Bela'_):** The name of Benjamin's firstborn son, from whom the family lines of Ard and Naaman descend. Bela is also mentioned in [Genesis 46:21](/genesis/46-21 "Genesis 46:21 - Sons of Benjamin") and [1 Chronicles 7:6](/1_chronicles/7-6 "1 Chronicles 7:6 - Descendants of Benjamin"), establishing his prominence in Benjamin's genealogy. His inclusion here highlights the continuation of the tribal lineage through specific, identifiable family units.
* **Ard (Hebrew, _'Ard_):** A son of Bela and grandson of Benjamin. While the etymology of "Ard" is uncertain, its significance here lies in its role as a progenitor of a distinct family group, "the Ardites" (הָאַרְדִּי). The transformation of the personal name into a collective family designation is a common linguistic and cultural practice in Hebrew, emphasizing corporate identity and descent.
* **Naaman (Hebrew, _Na'aman_):** Another son of Bela, whose name means "pleasantness" or "agreeableness." Like Ard, Naaman gives rise to a distinct family, "the Naamites" (הַנַּעֲמִי). The presence of two specific family lines from Bela underscores the internal subdivisions within the larger tribal structure, each with its own identity and future claim to the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman:"** This opening clause identifies the immediate ancestry of the two family lines being enumerated. Bela is established as the father, linking these families directly to the tribe of Benjamin, as previously stated in [Numbers 26:38](/numbers/26-38 "Numbers 26:38 - Sons of Benjamin"). This precise genealogical statement is crucial for establishing the legitimacy and place of these families within the larger Israelite community.
* **"[of Ard], the family of the Ardites:"** This segment specifies the first of the two family lines. "Ard" is presented as the progenitor, and "the Ardites" (הָאַרְדִּי) denotes his descendants, forming a distinct clan or subdivision. The use of the definite article "the" (הָ) before "Ardites" confirms them as an established and recognized family unit within the tribe.
* **"[and] of Naaman, the family of the Naamites."** Similarly, this clause identifies the second family line. "Naaman" is the progenitor, and "the Naamites" (הַנַּעֲמִי) are his descendants. The parallel structure with the Ardites emphasizes the equal standing and distinct identity of both families, both originating from Bela, and both contributing to the overall count of the tribe of Benjamin.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:40 primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Genealogical Listing**, characteristic of the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch's focus on Israel's lineage and organization. The verse is part of a larger, meticulously detailed list of families, highlighting the divine order and precision in God's dealings with His people. The use of **Patronymics** ("Ardites" from Ard, "Naamites" from Naaman) is a key linguistic and literary feature, transforming individual names into collective identifiers for entire family units. This device serves to clearly define and distinguish the various clans within each tribe, reinforcing their corporate identity and their specific place in the upcoming land distribution. The **Repetition** of the phrase "the family of the..." for both Ardites and Naamites creates a rhythmic, formulaic structure common in ancient legal and census documents, underscoring the authoritative and official nature of this record.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:40, though seemingly a dry genealogical entry, is profoundly theological. It underscores God's meticulous care for His people and His unwavering commitment to fulfilling His covenant promises. The precise enumeration of families like the Ardites and Naamites demonstrates that God's plan for Israel's inheritance of the land is not abstract but deeply personal and practical, involving every family unit. It reveals a God who is intimately involved in the details of His people's lives, ensuring order, identity, and the just distribution of blessings. This attention to detail serves as a reminder that God's faithfulness extends to every generation and every individual within His covenant community, preparing them for the promised future.

* [Genesis 10:30](/genesis/10-30 "Genesis 10:30 - Genealogical Records")
* [Numbers 33:54](/numbers/33-54 "Numbers 33:54 - Land Distribution by Lot")
* [Psalm 139:16](/psalm/139-16 "Psalm 139:16 - God's Knowledge of Us")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While Numbers 26:40 details ancient family lines, its underlying principles resonate deeply with believers today. The verse reminds us that God is a God of order, precision, and faithfulness. He is not a God of chaos, but one who meticulously plans and executes His purposes, down to the seemingly smallest details of our lives. Just as He knew each family and their place in ancient Israel, He knows us intimately, having numbered the very hairs on our heads ([Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God's Care for Individuals")). This census, preparing for an earthly inheritance, points us to our spiritual inheritance in Christ, a secure and eternal one. It encourages us to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He has a place for us within His spiritual family, the church, and that He is faithfully working out His promises in our lives and in the world. Our identity is found not in earthly lineage but in our adoption as sons and daughters through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census, including specific family names, speak to God's character and His care for individuals?**
* **In what ways does knowing that God is a God of order and precision bring comfort or challenge to your personal life?**
* **How does the concept of an "inheritance" in ancient Israel, tied to lineage and land, help you understand your spiritual inheritance in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why is such a detailed genealogical record important in the Bible?**

Answer: Detailed genealogical records, like the one in Numbers 26:40, are crucial in the Bible for several reasons. Primarily, they establish **identity and lineage**, which was fundamental in ancient Israelite society for social structure, legal rights, and tribal affiliation. They also served to demonstrate **God's faithfulness to His covenant promises**, particularly the promise of land to Abraham's descendants ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land")). The census ensured that each family knew its rightful claim to a portion of the land. Furthermore, genealogies were vital for tracing the messianic line, ultimately leading to Jesus Christ, fulfilling prophecies about His descent from Abraham and David ([Matthew 1:1-17](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1-17 - The Genealogy of Jesus Christ")). They underscore God's meticulous attention to detail in orchestrating His redemptive plan through specific individuals and families across generations.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 26:40 is a specific genealogical entry within the old covenant, it finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the new covenant. The meticulous counting of families for an earthly inheritance foreshadows the spiritual inheritance secured for believers in Christ. Just as the Ardites and Naamites had a specific place and identity within the tribe of Benjamin, believers today find their ultimate identity and belonging not in physical lineage but in their spiritual adoption into God's family through faith in Jesus Christ ([Ephesians 1:5](/ephesians/1-5 "Ephesians 1:5 - Adoption as Sons")). Jesus, as the true Israel, fulfills the promises made to Abraham, including the promise of an inheritance, which is now spiritual and eternal, "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")). The census's purpose of preparing a people for a land finds its ultimate reality in Christ gathering a people for Himself, His church, who are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")), destined not for an earthly territory but for an eternal kingdom. The divine order and precision seen in the census point to the perfect, sovereign plan of God realized in Christ, who is the head of a new spiritual lineage, a "holy nation, a people for his own possession" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Chosen Race")).

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.