Numbers 26:41

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:41 records the census count for the tribe of Benjamin, stating that 45,600 males aged twenty years and upward were registered. This specific detail is part of the second national census of Israel, conducted on the plains of Moab, which served the dual purposes of assessing military strength for the impending conquest of Canaan and establishing a basis for the equitable distribution of the Promised Land among the tribes. The verse underscores God's meticulous order and His faithfulness in preserving and growing His people, even after a generation of disobedience had perished in the wilderness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:41 is situated within the lengthy enumeration of the second census of Israel, spanning the entirety of [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"). This chapter systematically lists the families and total numbers for each of the twelve tribes, following the pattern established in the first census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel"). The immediate preceding verses (Numbers 26:38-40) detail the specific families of Benjamin—Bela, Ashbel, Ahiram, Shupham, and Hupham—and their descendants, providing the genealogical basis for the numerical summary given in verse 41. The verses immediately following (Numbers 26:42-43) shift to the tribe of Dan, maintaining the consistent, methodical reporting of each tribe's population. This meticulous record-keeping emphasizes the divine order and the precision with which God prepared His people for their future inheritance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The second census took place "on the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho" ([Numbers 26:3](/numbers/26-3 "Numbers 26:3 - Location of the Second Census")), a pivotal geographical location signifying the Israelites' imminent entry into the Promised Land. Historically, this census occurred after the forty years of wilderness wandering and, crucially, after the entire generation of adult males who had rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea had died off, as prophesied in [Numbers 14:29-30](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-30 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation"). The purpose of this census was twofold: first, to ascertain the military strength of the new generation, preparing them for the conquest of Canaan; and second, to provide a basis for the equitable division of the land, with larger tribes receiving more territory, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 26:53-56](/numbers/26-53 "Numbers 26:53-56 - Land Distribution by Lot and Population"). Culturally, censuses in ancient Israel were often tied to military readiness and resource allocation, reflecting a divinely ordained system of governance and preparation for the fulfillment of covenant promises.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, within the broader context of [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"), contributes to several significant themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Order and Meticulousness**, showcasing God's precise organization of His people, down to individual families and their numerical counts. This attention to detail underscores His sovereign control and purposeful planning for Israel's future. Secondly, the census emphasizes **Preparation for Inheritance**, directly linking the population count to the forthcoming distribution of the land in Canaan, fulfilling God's ancient promise to Abraham regarding the land ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). Thirdly, the increase in Benjamin's population from 35,400 in the first census ([Numbers 1:37](/numbers/1-37 "Numbers 1:37 - Benjamin's First Census Count")) to 45,600 in this second census illustrates **Tribal Continuity and Growth Amidst Adversity**. Despite the hardships of the wilderness, plagues, and the demise of the older generation, God preserved and even increased the numbers of His people, demonstrating His faithfulness to His covenant and His power to sustain His chosen nation.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Families (Hebrew, _mishpechotam'_):** This term refers to the clans or subdivisions within a tribe, emphasizing the patriarchal and genealogical structure of Israelite society. The census was not merely a count of individuals but a meticulous record of the nation organized by its ancestral lines. This highlights the importance of lineage and identity within God's covenant people, ensuring that the inheritance of the land would be distributed according to established family units.
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pequdeihem'_):** Derived from the root פקד (paqad), meaning "to visit, muster, appoint, number." In the context of a census, it specifically denotes the act of being counted or registered, usually for military service or for taxation/distribution purposes. The use of this word throughout Numbers 26 underscores the official, divinely sanctioned nature of the census, indicating that these numbers were not arbitrary but were a direct result of God's command and oversight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [are] the sons of Benjamin after their families":** This opening clause identifies the subject of the verse as the tribe of Benjamin and specifies that the count is organized according to their family units or clans. It reiterates the meticulous, genealogical approach of the census, ensuring that the inheritance of the Promised Land would be justly distributed among the recognized family divisions within the tribe. It sets the stage for the numerical data that follows, grounding the abstract number in concrete, identifiable family lines.
* **"and they that were numbered of them [were] forty and five thousand and six hundred":** This clause provides the precise numerical outcome of the census for the tribe of Benjamin. The figure of 45,600 represents the total number of males aged twenty and above who were fit for military service. This number is significant not only for its practical implications for land distribution and military strength but also for its theological implications, demonstrating the growth of the tribe from the first census (35,400 in Numbers 1:37) despite the intervening wilderness hardships and divine judgments. It testifies to God's preserving power and His commitment to His covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 26:41, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Enumeration**. This involves the detailed listing of numbers and names, creating a sense of precision, order, and comprehensiveness. The repetition of the census formula for each tribe, including the mention of "sons... after their families" followed by a specific numerical count, reinforces the meticulous nature of God's divine administration. While seemingly dry, this detailed enumeration serves a profound theological purpose: it underscores God's sovereignty over the population and destiny of His people, demonstrating that every individual and family is known and accounted for in His grand plan. The stark numerical comparison between the first and second censuses also subtly employs **Contrast**, highlighting the resilience and growth of some tribes, like Benjamin, even as others experienced decline, all under God's providential hand.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:41, as part of the second census, profoundly illustrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, even in the face of human failure and the passage of generations. The meticulous counting of each tribe, including Benjamin, demonstrates God's providential care and His commitment to preparing His people for the inheritance He promised. It signifies that every individual within the community of faith is known and valued by God, and that His plans for His people's future are precise and certain. The increase in Benjamin's numbers, despite the wilderness's challenges, serves as a powerful testament to God's preserving power and His ability to bring about growth and continuity even through hardship. This divine order and attention to detail assure believers that God is actively involved in the details of their lives and His overarching plan for salvation.

* [Numbers 1:1-3](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1:1-3 - The First Census Commissioned")
* [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution Principles")
* [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane details of a census count, such as that of Benjamin in Numbers 26:41, invite us to reflect on the profound truth of God's meticulous care and purposeful planning for His people. Just as God meticulously numbered and organized the tribes of Israel for their physical inheritance in Canaan, He orchestrates the lives of His spiritual people today, preparing us for our eternal inheritance in Christ. This passage reminds us that we are not random individuals in a chaotic world, but rather part of a divinely ordered community, each known and valued by our Creator. It encourages us to trust in God's detailed providence, recognizing that even the "numbers" and circumstances of our lives are under His sovereign hand. Our perseverance through trials, our growth in faith, and our place within the body of Christ are all part of His grand design, demonstrating His faithfulness across generations. We are called to live with the assurance that our God is a God of order, purpose, and unfailing commitment to His promises.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of God's census-taking in Numbers 26:41 challenge or affirm your understanding of God's involvement in the details of your own life?**
* **Considering Benjamin's growth despite the wilderness journey, what does this passage teach us about God's ability to sustain and grow His people even through difficult circumstances?**
* **In what ways does the preparation of Israel for their physical inheritance in Canaan parallel God's preparation of believers for their spiritual inheritance in Christ?**

### FAQ

**Why does the Bible include such detailed numerical lists like the census in Numbers 26?**

Answer: The inclusion of detailed numerical lists, such as the census in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"), serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores God's meticulous order and precision in managing His people. Every individual and family is known and accounted for, demonstrating His sovereign oversight. Secondly, these numbers had practical implications for the organization of Israel, particularly for military readiness and the equitable distribution of the Promised Land, as outlined in [Numbers 26:53-56](/numbers/26-53 "Numbers 26:53-56 - Land Distribution by Lot and Population"). Thirdly, the census highlights the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to Abraham regarding his descendants becoming a great nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). Finally, by comparing the second census to the first ([Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel")), it provides a historical record of tribal continuity, growth, or decline, revealing God's preservation of His people despite their wilderness wanderings and judgments.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous numbering of the tribe of Benjamin and all Israel in Numbers 26:41, preparing them for their physical inheritance in the Promised Land, powerfully foreshadows God's meticulous care in preparing His spiritual people for their eternal inheritance in Christ. Just as the Israelites were "numbered" and organized for a specific purpose, so too are believers in the New Covenant "numbered" and chosen by God before the foundation of the world ([Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ")). The census highlights a people being prepared for a promised land; in Christ, we are prepared for a heavenly inheritance, a "better country" ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - A Heavenly Homeland")). The preservation and growth of the tribe of Benjamin, despite the wilderness generation's failures, points to God's unwavering faithfulness not just to a specific lineage but to all who are "in Christ," who become "Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to Promise")). Ultimately, the detailed accounting of Israel's tribes finds its ultimate fulfillment in the Lamb's Book of Life, where the names of all the redeemed are eternally recorded, signifying their secure place in God's eternal kingdom through the finished work of Jesus Christ ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Book of Life")).

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.