Numbers 26:46

KJV

And the name of the daughter of Asher [was] Sarah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the name {H8034} of the daughter {H1323} of Asher {H836} was Sarah {H8294}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The name of Asher's daughter was Serach.

Berean Standard Bible

And the name of Asher’s daughter was Serah.

American Standard Version

And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:46 is a concise yet profoundly significant verse embedded within the detailed second census of the Israelite tribes. It specifically names Sarah as the daughter of Asher, a seemingly minor detail that subtly but powerfully underscores God's meticulous attention to every individual within His covenant people. This inclusion, amidst a record predominantly focused on male lineages, highlights the inherent value and place of women within the tribal structure, preparing them for their inheritance in the Promised Land and affirming God's comprehensive knowledge of each person.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"), which details the second census of the Israelite tribes. Conducted by Moses and Eleazar in the plains of Moab, this enumeration occurs after the devastating plague at Peor and just before the Israelites are to enter and conquer the land of Canaan. Unlike the first census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), which primarily focused on military readiness, this second count served a crucial administrative purpose: to establish the population of each tribe and clan for the equitable distribution of land in the Promised Land. The meticulous listing of family heads and their sons underscores the divine order and preparation for inheritance, making the singular mention of a daughter like Sarah particularly noteworthy amidst a record predominantly composed of male lineages, setting the stage for discussions of female inheritance in the subsequent chapter.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Ancient Israel was a patriarchal society where lineage and inheritance were predominantly traced through the male line. Land distribution, a central theme in the conquest of Canaan, was fundamentally tied to tribal and family identity, ensuring that the divine promise of land was fulfilled with precision. While men were typically the heads of households and direct recipients of land, the Mosaic Law also made specific provisions for women to inherit in the absence of male heirs, as famously demonstrated by the case of [Zelophehad's daughters](/numbers/27-1-11 "Numbers 27:1-11 - The Inheritance of Zelophehad's Daughters") in the very next chapter. The census itself was a critical administrative act, serving to organize the nation for its new life in the land, reinforcing tribal boundaries, and ensuring that the divine promise of land was fulfilled with precision and equity for each family unit. This context highlights the significance of any deviation from the male-centric enumeration.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 26:46 contributes to several overarching themes within the book and broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **God's meticulous attention to detail** and His divine order, evident in the comprehensive genealogies and censuses that underscore His precise fulfillment of covenant promises, particularly concerning the land of Canaan. This is a recurring motif, from the careful construction of the tabernacle to the precise instructions for sacrifices. Secondly, it subtly reinforces the **inclusion and value of women** within God's covenant people. While genealogies are predominantly male-centric, the explicit mention of Sarah, daughter of Asher, alongside other significant women like [Miriam](/exodus/15-20 "Exodus 15:20 - Miriam's Prophecy") or [Deborah](/judges/4-4 "Judges 4:4 - Deborah, the Judge"), reminds us that women were integral to the community and God's unfolding plan. This inclusion underscores the truth that every individual, regardless of gender or societal role, is seen and valued by God, playing a part in His grand narrative of redemption and inheritance, a theme echoed in the broader biblical narrative of God's care for the marginalized.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Name (Hebrew, _shêm'_):** An appellation or mark of individuality, implying honor, authority, or character. It signifies more than a mere label, representing the essence and identity of a person, serving as a memorial of their existence and place within the community. The act of recording a "name" in a census emphasizes that this individual is known and accounted for by God.
* **Daughter (Hebrew, _bath'_):** Refers to a female offspring, used broadly to denote various relationships. Its explicit inclusion here, in a census predominantly focused on male lineage, highlights the specific familial connection and acknowledges her place within the tribal structure, even as a female. This term ensures her direct link to Asher's family and the tribe of Israel.
* **Sarah (Hebrew, _Serach'_):** This name, derived from a root meaning "superfluity," refers to an Israelitess. In this context, it is the specific appellation of Asher's daughter. While the meaning "superfluity" might seem unusual for a personal name, its presence in the biblical record marks her unique identity and ensures her individual recognition within the lineage of Asher, regardless of the common meaning of the word.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the name of the daughter of Asher":** This phrase introduces the specific individual being named, identifying her by her relationship to her father, Asher, one of the patriarchs of Israel. The explicit inclusion of "daughter" is highly significant in a census primarily focused on male heads of households and their sons, signaling a deliberate choice to record her presence. It affirms her direct lineage and connection to the tribe, ensuring her place in the national record and her eligibility for the future land distribution.
* **"[was] Sarah":** This simple declaration provides the specific name of Asher's daughter. The naming of "Sarah" (Hebrew, _Serach_) here, even with its unusual meaning of "superfluity," ensures that this individual is not merely a nameless statistic but a distinct person known to God and recorded in the national registry. Her inclusion ensures that she, too, is counted among God's people preparing for the Promised Land, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's census.

#### Literary Devices
The brevity of Numbers 26:46 belies its subtle use of literary techniques. The primary literary form is **Genealogy/Census**, a detailed list of names and numbers that serves as a comprehensive record of the Israelite population. This meticulous cataloging underscores God's ordered nature and His precise fulfillment of covenant promises, particularly regarding the land inheritance. The specific mention of Sarah, a daughter, in a list overwhelmingly dominated by male names, functions as an **Inclusion by Exception**. This device highlights her unique status and significance, drawing the reader's attention to her presence and subtly challenging the patriarchal norm of genealogical records, thereby affirming the value of women within God's covenant community. Furthermore, the **Nominal Significance** of the name **Sarah** (Hebrew, _Serach_) functions as a literary device. While its meaning "superfluity" is not inherently elevating, the very act of its inclusion, regardless of its semantic content, emphasizes that *every* individual, with their unique and sometimes unusual name, is known and accounted for by God, underscoring His comprehensive and personal knowledge of His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:46, though brief, carries significant theological weight. It underscores God's meticulous knowledge and care for every individual within His covenant community. The inclusion of Sarah's name, even in a male-dominated census, reflects a divine perspective that values all members, regardless of their societal prominence or gender. This attention to detail demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, as the census was crucial for the precise distribution of the Promised Land. It reminds us that God sees beyond surface appearances and societal roles, knowing each of His people by name and valuing their unique place in His grand redemptive narrative, a truth that echoes throughout Scripture concerning God's personal relationship with His chosen ones.

* [Isaiah 43:1](/isaiah/43-1 "Isaiah 43:1 - God Knows His People by Name")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ")
* [Numbers 27:1-11](/numbers/27-1-11 "Numbers 27:1-11 - The Inheritance of Zelophehad's Daughters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:46 offers a profound invitation to reflect on our own value and place within God's vast and intricate plan. In a world that often measures worth by achievement, status, or visibility, this verse quietly asserts that every individual, even those seemingly insignificant in a grand historical record, is known, seen, and valued by God. It challenges us to recognize the inherent dignity of every person, not just the prominent figures, and to appreciate the meticulous care with which God orchestrates His purposes. For believers, this means finding assurance in God's personal knowledge of us, knowing that our lives, no matter how ordinary they may seem, are woven into His divine tapestry. It also calls us to extend this same value and recognition to others, especially those often overlooked or marginalized, mirroring God's own inclusive heart and recognizing the unique contribution each person brings to the body of Christ. This verse reminds us that true significance is found not in worldly recognition, but in being known by the Creator of the universe.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous detail of biblical genealogies, like the mention of Sarah, affirm God's personal knowledge and care for your life?**
* **In what ways might we, like this census, inadvertently overlook or undervalue individuals in our communities? How can we cultivate a more inclusive perspective?**
* **What does Sarah's inclusion in a predominantly male list teach us about God's view of women and their integral role in His kingdom?**

### FAQ

**Why is Sarah, a daughter, mentioned in a census primarily focused on male descendants?**

Answer: Her inclusion is noteworthy precisely because ancient genealogies and censuses typically traced lineage through the male line. While the Bible generally follows this pattern, the specific mention of Sarah, daughter of Asher, suggests a deliberate emphasis. It could be to ensure a complete record of Asher's immediate family, to highlight the full scope of the tribal family unit, or to subtly affirm the value and presence of women within God's covenant people, even if they weren't typically listed as heads of households. It serves as a reminder that every individual, regardless of gender, has a place and identity within God's plan, as seen in other instances where women play crucial roles in God's narrative, such as [Ruth](/ruth/1 "The Book of Ruth") or [Esther](/esther/1 "The Book of Esther"), and especially in the legal provisions for female inheritance in [Numbers 27](/numbers/27 "Numbers 27 - The Daughters of Zelophehad").

**Does this Sarah have any connection to Sarah, Abraham's wife?**

Answer: No, this Sarah, daughter of Asher, is a distinct individual from [Sarah, Abraham's wife](/genesis/17-15 "Genesis 17:15 - Sarah, Abraham's Wife"). While the KJV translates both Hebrew names as "Sarah," the Hebrew name for Asher's daughter is _Serach_ (H8294), meaning "superfluity," whereas Abraham's wife's name is _Sarai/Sarah_ (H8283), meaning "princess." They lived in different eras and belonged to different family lines. The shared English translation, however, does highlight the biblical practice of names carrying unique significance, even if their specific meanings differ.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:46, with its seemingly minor detail of Sarah's inclusion in a tribal census, subtly foreshadows the expansive and inclusive nature of God's redemptive plan in Christ. Just as Sarah, a daughter, is meticulously recorded in a predominantly male lineage, so too does the genealogy of Jesus in [Matthew 1](/matthew/1 "Matthew 1 - The Genealogy of Jesus") and [Luke 3](/luke/3 "Luke 3 - The Genealogy of Jesus") remarkably include women—some of whom, like [Rahab](/joshua/2-1 "Joshua 2:1 - Rahab the Harlot") and [Tamar](/genesis/38-6 "Genesis 38:6 - Tamar's Story"), were considered outsiders or had unconventional stories. This highlights that Christ's lineage, and by extension His kingdom, embraces all who come to Him, regardless of gender, social standing, or past. The meticulous record-keeping of the census points to God's precise and sovereign plan for salvation, culminating in the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") who takes away the sin of the world, meticulously fulfilling every prophecy and promise. In Christ, the ultimate "Prince of Peace" ([Isaiah 9:6](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - Prince of Peace")), every individual, no matter how seemingly insignificant in the world's eyes, is known, valued, and granted a place in the ultimate inheritance of eternal life, becoming co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). He is the one who truly knows His sheep by name ([John 10:3](/john/10-3 "John 10:3 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")), ensuring that none are overlooked in His divine family, and that all who believe are counted among His chosen people.

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

Genesis 46:17

And the sons of Asher; Jimnah, and Ishuah, and Isui, and Beriah, and Serah their sister: and the sons of Beriah; Heber, and Malchiel.