Numbers 26:43

KJV

All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, [were] threescore and four thousand and four hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

All the families {H4940} of the Shuhamites {H7749}, according to those that were numbered {H6485} of them, were threescore {H8346} and four {H702} thousand {H505} and four {H702} hundred {H3967}.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the families of the Shuchami, according to those of them that were counted, were 64,400.

Berean Standard Bible

All of them were Shuhamite clans, and their registration numbered 64,400.

American Standard Version

All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:43 meticulously records the numerical strength of the Shuhamite family, a significant clan within the tribe of Dan, during the second census of Israel. This specific enumeration, detailing 64,400 individuals, is not merely a dry statistic but a profound testament to God's divine order, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite past rebellion, and His meticulous preparation of a new generation for the imminent inheritance and division of the Promised Land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:43 is embedded within the comprehensive second census of the Israelite population, recorded in [Numbers chapter 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"). This census follows the tragic judgment upon the rebellious generation that perished in the wilderness, as detailed in [Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - The Wilderness Judgment"). The chapter systematically lists each tribe and its constituent families, along with their respective numbers, highlighting the divine precision in organizing the new generation poised to enter Canaan. Specifically, verse 43 focuses on the Shuhamites, a family descended from Shuham, one of the sons of Dan, whose lineage is traced in [Numbers 26:42](/numbers/26-42 "Numbers 26:42 - The Families of Dan"). The detailed enumeration of each family unit underscores the meticulous nature of God's plan for the distribution of the land.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This census took place on the plains of Moab, on the cusp of the Israelites' entry into the land of Canaan, approximately 38 years after the first census at Mount Sinai ([Numbers 1:1-3](/numbers/1-1 "Numbers 1:1-3 - The First Census at Sinai")). In ancient Near Eastern cultures, censuses served multiple purposes: assessing military strength, organizing labor, and, crucially for Israel, preparing for land distribution. The unique aspect of this census, however, was its direct link to the fulfillment of God's covenant promise to Abraham regarding the land ([Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")). The cultural significance of family units (clans) was paramount, as land inheritance was apportioned by family, ensuring the perpetuation of tribal identity and economic stability. The very act of numbering signified a divine acknowledgment and validation of this new generation as the rightful heirs, distinct from their disobedient predecessors.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous enumeration in [Numbers chapter 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"), including the specific count of the Shuhamites in verse 43, powerfully conveys several key theological themes. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Order and Meticulousness**, demonstrating God's precise and systematic approach to organizing His people and fulfilling His plans. Every individual and family is accounted for, underscoring His comprehensive oversight. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates **God's Faithfulness and Preservation**. Despite the catastrophic judgment on the previous generation, God's covenant promises endure. A new, vast generation stands ready, a living testament to God's unwavering commitment to His people and His plan, even through periods of rebellion and discipline, as seen in the contrast with the generation that rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea ([Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - The Judgment at Kadesh-Barnea")). Finally, the census is intrinsically linked to **Preparation for Inheritance**. The numbers were not arbitrary; they directly determined the allocation of land, as explicitly commanded in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Numbers"), signifying the imminent fulfillment of the ancient promise of a homeland.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shuhamites (Hebrew: שׁוּחָם, _Shucham_):** This refers to the descendants of Shuham, one of the sons of Dan, as listed in [Numbers 26:42](/numbers/26-42 "Numbers 26:42 - The Families of Dan"). The name "Shuham" itself is derived from a root that can mean "to sink down" or "to dig a pit." While the etymology doesn't explicitly define the family's character or history, its inclusion here underscores the meticulous nature of the census, where every family, regardless of its size or perceived prominence, is individually recognized and counted within God's comprehensive plan for Israel.
* **Threescore and four thousand and four hundred (Hebrew: שִׁשִּׁים וְאַרְבַּע אֶלֶף וְאַרְבַּע מֵאוֹת, _shishim v'arba'ah elef v'arba' me'ot_):** This is a precise numerical expression, literally translating to "sixty-four thousand and four hundred." The KJV's "threescore" (meaning three twenties, or sixty) is an archaic but accurate rendering of the Hebrew numeral. The exactness of this figure, like all the others in the census, highlights the meticulousness of the divine record and the thoroughness with which Israel was organized for its national destiny. It emphasizes that God's plans are not vague but detailed and specific.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"All the families of the Shuhamites":** This opening phrase immediately identifies the specific group being enumerated. It emphasizes that the count is not merely of individuals but of the collective family unit, which was the fundamental building block of Israelite society and the basis for land inheritance. This highlights the importance of lineage and communal identity in God's dealings with His people.
* **"according to those that were numbered of them":** This clause clarifies that the figure provided is the result of a formal, divine census. It implies a systematic process of counting and recording, ensuring accuracy and divine authorization. The phrase reinforces the legitimacy and purpose of the enumeration, linking the number directly to the divine command to count the people.
* **"[were] threescore and four thousand and four hundred":** This provides the precise numerical outcome of the census for the Shuhamite family. The exactitude of the number (64,400) is significant. It's not an approximation but a definitive count, underscoring God's perfect knowledge and control over the details of His people's lives and their future. This large number also speaks to the growth and preservation of Israel, despite the challenges and judgments of the wilderness journey.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in Numbers 26:43, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Enumeration**. This systematic listing of tribes, families, and their precise numbers serves to underscore the divine order and meticulousness with which God orchestrates the affairs of His people. The **Repetition** of the census formula for each family ("All the families of the [X], according to those that were numbered of them, [were] [Y] thousand and [Z] hundred") creates a rhythmic, almost liturgical, pattern that reinforces the comprehensive nature of the count and the divine authority behind it. Furthermore, the numbers themselves carry **Symbolism**, representing not just military strength or population size, but divine faithfulness in preserving a new generation, the fulfillment of covenant promises, and the tangible preparation for the inheritance of the Promised Land. The seemingly dry statistics become a powerful narrative of God's enduring commitment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:43, though a single verse within a long list of numbers, resonates with profound theological implications. It is a powerful affirmation of God's meticulous care for His people, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, and His sovereign control over history. The detailed enumeration of each family, including the Shuhamites, demonstrates that God's plan is not vague or general, but precise and specific, extending to every individual and household within His chosen nation. This census, taken before the entry into Canaan, signifies God's active preparation of His people for their inheritance, ensuring that the promises made to Abraham would be fulfilled through a new generation. It serves as a testament to divine preservation, as a people once condemned to wander are now counted and ready to claim their promised land, highlighting that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by human failure.

* [Deuteronomy 1:35-36](/deuteronomy/1-35 "The New Generation Enters the Land")
* [Psalm 147:4](/psalm/147-4 "God Knows the Number of the Stars")
* [Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Our Spiritual Inheritance in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:43, a seemingly dry statistic, offers rich spiritual nourishment for the contemporary believer. It reminds us that our God is a God of order, precision, and unwavering faithfulness. Just as He meticulously counted and prepared the Shuhamites and all Israel for their physical inheritance, He is intimately involved in the details of our lives and meticulously prepares us for our spiritual inheritance in Christ. This verse assures us that no detail of our existence, no trial, no triumph, no individual within the body of Christ, is overlooked or insignificant to Him. He knows our "number" and our name. It should instill in us a profound sense of security and purpose, knowing that we are part of a divinely orchestrated plan that will culminate in the fulfillment of God's promises. Our task is to live faithfully, trusting in His meticulous care and His steadfast love, knowing that He is always working to bring His people into their promised rest and blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of this census, including the specific number for the Shuhamites, deepen your understanding of God's character?**
* **In what ways does God's faithfulness to the new generation, despite the failures of the previous one, encourage you in your own walk of faith?**
* **How does knowing that God is intimately aware of every "number" and detail of His people's lives impact your sense of personal value and purpose within the body of Christ?**
* **What "inheritance" are you being prepared for in your life, and how does this verse encourage you to trust God's process of preparation?**

### FAQ

**Why is this census so detailed, and what's its main purpose?**

Answer: The census recorded in [Numbers chapter 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"), including the specific count of the Shuhamites in verse 43, serves multiple crucial purposes. Firstly, it demonstrates God's divine order and meticulousness in organizing His people. Every family and individual is accounted for, highlighting His comprehensive oversight. Secondly, it was essential for military assessment, identifying the number of men "able to go to war" ([Numbers 26:2](/numbers/26-2 "Numbers 26:2 - Purpose of the Census")). Most importantly, its primary purpose was to prepare for the equitable distribution of the land of Canaan among the tribes and families, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Numbers"). This census also served as a profound theological statement, showcasing God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises, despite the previous generation's rebellion and demise in the wilderness ([Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - The Wilderness Judgment")), proving that a new generation was ready to inherit the land.

**What is the significance of the Shuhamites specifically being mentioned?**

Answer: The specific mention of the Shuhamites in [Numbers 26:43](/numbers/26-43 "Numbers 26:43 - The Shuhamites Numbered") is significant not because this family was necessarily more prominent than others, but precisely because they represent one of the numerous family units within the larger tribal structure of Israel. Their inclusion, alongside all other families, underscores the meticulous and comprehensive nature of God's census. It highlights that God's plan for His people is not just for the nation as a whole but extends to every individual family and clan. It reinforces the theme of divine order and the principle that every part of the community is valued and accounted for in God's grand design for the inheritance and settlement of the Promised Land. The fact that a family of 64,400 individuals is specifically named and counted emphasizes the divine attention to detail and the sheer scale of the new generation prepared to enter Canaan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:43, with its meticulous enumeration of the Shuhamites, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the spiritual inheritance and the new creation found in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament census prepared a physical generation for a physical land; in Christ, we see the preparation of a spiritual generation for a heavenly and eternal inheritance. Just as God faithfully brought Israel into Canaan, He, through Christ, secures for us a far greater inheritance—"an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - Our Imperishable Inheritance")). The "new generation" counted in Numbers points to those who are "in Christ," made new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), no longer defined by the failures of the old humanity but by the life of the resurrected Lord. Christ is the faithful One who guarantees all of God's promises are "Yes" and "Amen" in Him ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Furthermore, the meticulous counting of each family foreshadows God's intimate knowledge and valuing of every individual within the body of Christ, where each member is uniquely gifted and essential for the functioning of the whole ([1 Corinthians 12:12-27](/1_corinthians/12-12 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - The Body of Christ")). Our true identity and belonging are found not in earthly lineage or census numbers, but in being "chosen in him before the foundation of the world" ([Ephesians 1:4](/ephesians/1-4 "Ephesians 1:4 - Chosen in Christ")), receiving the "fullness of Christ" as our ultimate and eternal inheritance ([Colossians 1:12-14](/colossians/1-12 "Colossians 1:12-14 - Our Inheritance in Light")).

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.

Cross-References

Numbers 2:25

The standard of the camp of Dan [shall be] on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan [shall be] Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

Numbers 2:26

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.

Numbers 1:38

Of the children of Dan, 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 1:39

Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Dan, [were] threescore and two thousand and seven hundred.