Numbers 26:42

Translation
King James Version
These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
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KJV (with Strong's)
These are the sons H1121 of Dan H1835 after their families H4940: of Shuham H7748, the family H4940 of the Shuhamites H7749. These are the families H4940 of Dan H1835 after their families H4940.
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Complete Jewish Bible
The descendants of Dan, by their families, were: of Shucham, the family of the Shuchami. These are the families of Dan, by their families.
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Berean Standard Bible
These were the descendants of Dan by their clans: The Shuhamite clan from Shuham. These were the clans of Dan.
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American Standard Version
These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
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World English Bible Messianic
These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
These are the sonnes of Dan after their families: of Shuham came the familie of the Shuhamites: these are the families of Dan after their housholdes.
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Young's Literal Translation
These are sons of Dan by their families: of Shuham is the family of the Shuhamite; these are families of Dan by their families;
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See also
Genesis 46:23
In the KJVVerse 4,532 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Numbers 26:42 meticulously records the tribal lineage of Dan within the comprehensive second census of Israel, conducted on the plains of Moab. This verse uniquely highlights that the tribe of Dan, for the purposes of this census, was reckoned through a single primary family, the Shuhamites, tracing their direct descent from Shuham, one of Dan's sons. This specific entry underscores the divine order and precision in God's preparation of His people for their inheritance in the Promised Land, demonstrating His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises and the continuity of His people.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Numbers 26:42 is situated within the comprehensive second census of the Israelite tribes, detailed in Numbers 26. This census occurs approximately 38 years after the first census recorded in Numbers 1, and significantly, it follows the judgment on the rebellious generation who perished in the wilderness, as foretold in Numbers 14:29. The immediate literary context shows a systematic enumeration of each tribe's fighting men (those 20 years and older) and their respective families, serving as a vital precursor to the instructions for land distribution in Numbers 26:52-56. The brevity and singular family listing for Dan in verse 42 stand out amidst the more detailed family breakdowns of other tribes, drawing particular attention to this specific lineage.

  • Historical & Cultural Context: This census was conducted on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, as the Israelites stood poised to enter the land of Canaan. Historically, the purpose of such a census was multifaceted: to ascertain military strength for the impending conquest, to provide a basis for the equitable division of the land according to tribal and family size, and to affirm the continuity of God's covenant people despite the devastating losses of the wilderness generation. Culturally, genealogy and tribal identity were paramount in ancient Israel. One's lineage determined their social standing, inheritance rights, and role within the community. The meticulous recording of families (mišpāḥōṯ) reflected the deeply ingrained importance of clan identity and the structured nature of Israelite society, ensuring order and justice in the allocation of resources and responsibilities.

  • Key Themes: The meticulous counting of the tribes and families in Numbers 26 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Continuity. Despite the rebellion and subsequent judgment that led to the death of an entire generation, God remained faithful to His promise to Abraham to multiply his descendants into a great nation, as seen in Genesis 22:17. The emergence of a new generation, ready to inherit the land, is a testament to God's unwavering commitment. Secondly, the census highlights Divine Order and Preparation. God's precise attention to detail in organizing His people reflects His orderly nature and His sovereign plan for Israel's future in the Promised Land, including the equitable distribution of territory (Numbers 26:52-56). Lastly, the emphasis on Inheritance and Identity is central, as the census confirms the eligibility for land ownership and reinforces the distinct tribal and family identities that would shape the future settlement of Canaan (Joshua 13-19).

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Sons (Hebrew, bên', H1121): This term, derived from a root meaning "to build," refers to a son as a "builder of the family name." In the context of Numbers 26:42, "sons of Dan" denotes the collective descendants or the entire tribal lineage that traces its origin back to Dan, encompassing all those counted within his tribal census. It signifies not just immediate offspring but the broader familial and tribal continuity.
  • Families (Hebrew, mishpâchâh', H4940): This word signifies a family as a circle of relatives, a major subdivision or clan within a tribe, typically tracing their lineage back to a common ancestor. By extension, it can also refer to a tribe or people. The repetition of this term in the verse emphasizes the focus on these specific kinship units as the fundamental basis for the census and the subsequent distribution of the Promised Land.
  • Shuham (Hebrew, Shûwchâm', H7748): This is the proper name of Dan's son, from whom the sole family of the Shuhamites is reckoned. The name itself is derived from a root meaning "humbly." The patronymic suffix "-ites" (as in "Shuhamites") indicates "those belonging to Shuham" or "descended from Shuham," signifying the collective descendants forming this particular family unit. This name is also mentioned in Genesis 46:23 as one of Dan's sons, confirming his foundational role in the tribe's lineage.

Verse Breakdown

  • "These [are] the sons of Dan after their families:" This opening clause serves as an introductory statement, announcing the focus on the tribal lineage of Dan and specifying that the enumeration will be organized according to their family units or clans. It sets the stage for the subsequent identification of these specific subdivisions within the tribe, highlighting the structured and genealogical nature of the census.
  • "of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites." This is the core identification of the verse. It names Shuham as the progenitor of the singular family unit that constitutes the tribe of Dan for the purposes of this census. The explicit mention of "the family of the Shuhamites" clarifies that all counted descendants of Dan are traced back through this one specific lineage, distinguishing Dan from other tribes that often list multiple family branches.
  • "These [are] the families of Dan after their families." This concluding clause serves as an emphatic reiteration and summary. Despite the plural "families" (which might suggest multiple branches), the repetition underscores that for Dan, only the Shuhamites are counted as the primary family unit. It reinforces the meticulous nature of the census and highlights the unique, singular structure of Dan's counted lineage at this pivotal moment in Israel's history, emphasizing the divine precision in the accounting.

Literary Devices

The primary literary device employed in Numbers 26:42 is Repetition, specifically the phrase "after their families." This repetition serves to emphasize the meticulous nature of the census and the paramount importance of family units as the basis for tribal organization and the equitable distribution of land. In the unique case of Dan, where only one family (the Shuhamites) is explicitly named, the repetition draws particular attention to this singularity, highlighting that despite the general plural term "families," Dan's counted lineage is consolidated through this one branch. The verse also functions as part of a larger Enumeration or Cataloging device, as it systematically lists the tribal and family units of Israel, contributing to the overall sense of divine order and comprehensive accounting that pervades Numbers 26. The Conciseness of Dan's entry, listing only one family, stands in subtle contrast to other tribes, drawing the reader's attention to its distinct and perhaps unusual structure within the broader census.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Numbers 26:42, though a seemingly dry genealogical entry, holds profound theological significance. It is a testament to God's meticulous care for His covenant people and His unwavering faithfulness to His promises. The very act of counting and organizing the tribes, even after the devastating judgment on the previous generation, demonstrates God's commitment to preserving Israel and bringing them into the Promised Land. This census is not merely a bureaucratic exercise; it is a divine act of preparation, ensuring that each family and tribe is accounted for and positioned to receive their promised inheritance. It underscores that God's plan is precise, orderly, and extends to the individual families that constitute His chosen nation, reflecting His sovereign oversight of history and destiny, even in the smallest details of tribal lineage.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Numbers 26:42, within the broader context of the second census, offers a powerful reminder of God's meticulous attention to detail and His unwavering faithfulness. Just as God precisely counted and accounted for every family in Israel, preparing them for their inheritance, so too does He meticulously care for each individual and family within His spiritual kingdom today. This passage invites us to reflect on our own place within God's grand narrative of redemption. We are not lost in the crowd; rather, we are known by name, belonging to a spiritual family with a divine inheritance. God's promises, like His promise to bring Israel into the land, are sure and steadfast, even through generations of struggle, failure, or wilderness experiences. This should instill in us a profound sense of security and purpose, knowing that our lives are woven into His perfect plan, and He is faithfully guiding us toward our ultimate inheritance in Christ, ensuring that every detail of our journey is under His sovereign and loving hand.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the census encourage us about His care for our individual lives and circumstances today?
  • In what ways have you experienced God's faithfulness to His promises, even across difficult seasons or through periods of spiritual wilderness?
  • How does understanding our spiritual "family" or identity in Christ shape our sense of belonging and purpose within the Church?

FAQ

Why is only one family listed for the tribe of Dan in Numbers 26:42, unlike many other tribes that list multiple families?

Answer: The biblical text itself does not explicitly state the reason for Dan's singular family listing. However, several factors may contribute to this unique presentation. Firstly, Genesis 46:23 lists only one son for Dan, "Hushim" (who is likely the same as Shuham or an alternate spelling/name for his descendants). If Shuham was indeed Dan's only son, or the only one to produce a surviving and significant lineage, then it would naturally follow that only one family branch would be counted. Secondly, it's possible that other potential family lines within Dan either died out during the wilderness wanderings or were absorbed into the dominant Shuhamite family. The census's primary purpose was to count those eligible for land inheritance, focusing on the established, recognized family units. The brevity for Dan might simply reflect the actual demographic and organizational structure of the tribe at that specific point in history, emphasizing that all of Dan's counted population derived from this single, primary lineage, underscoring the divine precision of the census.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The meticulous genealogical records and the promise of land inheritance in Numbers 26:42, though seemingly focused on earthly lineage and territory, ultimately point to the greater spiritual realities fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The census, which prepared Israel to enter a physical land, foreshadows our spiritual inheritance in Christ, who is the ultimate fulfillment of God's covenant promises. Jesus, as the true "seed" of Abraham, through whom all the families of the earth are blessed (Galatians 3:16), establishes a new spiritual family. Through faith in Him, we are no longer defined by earthly lineage or tribal affiliation, but are adopted into God's family as sons and daughters, receiving the "Spirit of adoption" (Romans 8:15). The careful accounting of each family in Numbers 26 underscores God's sovereign plan for humanity's redemption, a plan meticulously unfolded and brought to fruition in Christ. Our true "Promised Land" is not a geographical location but the eternal rest and abundant life found in Him, a rest that remains for the people of God (Hebrews 4:9-11). Thus, Numbers 26:42, in its precision and focus on lineage, ultimately directs our gaze to the One through whom all God's promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" (2 Corinthians 1:20), inviting us into a spiritual inheritance far grander than any earthly territory.

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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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