Numbers 26:41

These [are] the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them [were] forty and five thousand and six hundred.

These are the sons {H1121} of Benjamin {H1144} after their families {H4940}: and they that were numbered {H6485} of them were forty {H705} and five {H2568} thousand {H505} and six {H8337} hundred {H3967}.

These were the descendants of Binyamin, by their families; of them were counted 45,600.

These were the clans of Benjamin, and their registration numbered 45,600.

These are the sons of Benjamin after their families; and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.

Commentary

Context

Numbers 26:41 is part of the extensive second census of Israel, conducted on the plains of Moab before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. This census followed the wilderness wanderings and the demise of the first generation, who had rebelled against God. Unlike the first census recorded in Numbers Chapter 1, this count was crucial for two primary reasons: to assess the nation's military strength for the conquest of Canaan and to determine the distribution of the land, as inheritance was to be divided according to the population size of each tribe (Numbers 26:55). This specific verse focuses on the tribe of Benjamin, detailing their lineage and recorded numbers.

Key Themes

  • Divine Order and Organization: The meticulous record-keeping of each family and tribe underscores God's precise and orderly nature. Even in seemingly mundane details like numbers, God's hand is evident in organizing His people for their future.
  • Preparation for Inheritance: The census served a practical purpose, directly linking the size of each tribe to their portion of the land in Canaan. This highlights God's ongoing plan to fulfill His promise to Abraham regarding the land (Genesis 12:7).
  • Tribal Continuity and Growth: The verse shows the resilience and continuity of the tribe of Benjamin. Their population increased from 35,400 in the first census (Numbers 1:37) to 45,600, indicating growth despite the challenging wilderness journey and the previous generation's failures.

Significance & Application

While a seemingly simple demographic record, Numbers 26:41, within its broader context, carries profound significance. It reminds us of God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, even through generations of disobedience and hardship. The meticulous counting signifies that every individual and every family within God's people matters to Him.

For believers today, this passage illustrates God's providential care and His preparation for our spiritual inheritance. Just as He prepared the Israelites for their physical dwelling, He prepares us for our eternal home. It encourages us to trust in God's detailed plans, recognizing that even the "numbers" of our lives are known and ordered by Him. We are part of a larger divine purpose, meticulously counted and cared for by a God who is faithful to a thousand generations.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 1:36

    Of the children of Benjamin, 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 1:37

    Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Benjamin, [were] thirty and five thousand and four hundred.

  • Numbers 2:22

    Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin [shall be] Abidan the son of Gideoni.

  • Numbers 2:23

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

  • Genesis 46:21

    And the sons of Benjamin [were] Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
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