Numbers 26:47

KJV

These [are] the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; [who were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

These are the families {H4940} of the sons {H1121} of Asher {H836} according to those that were numbered {H6485} of them; who were fifty {H2572} and three {H7969} thousand {H505} and four {H702} hundred {H3967}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These were the families of the descendants of Asher, according to those of them that were counted, 53,400.

Berean Standard Bible

These were the clans of Asher, and their registration numbered 53,400.

American Standard Version

These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them, fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:47 meticulously records the population count for the tribe of Asher during the second census of Israel, taken on the plains of Moab. This verse, stating Asher's strength at fifty-three thousand and four hundred men aged twenty and upward, serves not merely as a demographic detail but as a profound testament to God's unwavering faithfulness, His sovereign preservation of His covenant people despite wilderness trials, and His meticulous preparation for the imminent inheritance of the Promised Land by a new generation. It highlights the divine order and purpose behind what might appear to be a simple numerical record.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:47 is embedded within the comprehensive second census of Israel, detailed from [Numbers 26:1](/numbers/26-1 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"). This enumeration follows the devastating plague at Peor (recorded in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Sin at Peor and the Plague")), which decimated a significant portion of the first generation. The entire chapter serves as a stark contrast to the first census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), revealing the generational shift and the fulfillment of God's judgment on the disobedient generation (as prophesied in [Numbers 14:29-30](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-30 - God's Judgment on the Disobedient Generation")). The primary purpose of this second census was twofold: to assess the military strength of the new generation poised to enter Canaan and, crucially, to provide the basis for the equitable distribution of the land by lot, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Lot")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This census takes place "in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho" ([Numbers 26:3](/numbers/26-3 "Numbers 26:3 - Location of the Second Census")), marking the culmination of forty years of wilderness wandering. The Israelites are on the precipice of entering the Promised Land, a pivotal moment in their national history. Culturally, censuses in ancient Near Eastern societies were typically conducted for military conscription, taxation, or land allocation, all of which apply here. Tribal identity was paramount, defining social structure, lineage, and future land inheritance. The meticulous recording of numbers underscores the administrative and theological importance placed on each family and tribe within the Israelite confederation, reflecting God's ordered governance of His people.
* **Key Themes:** The specific count of Asher in [Numbers 26:47](/numbers/26-47 "Numbers 26:47 - Asher's Census Count") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Numbers. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness and Preservation**, demonstrating God's miraculous sustenance of His people despite their rebellion and the harsh wilderness conditions. Even after forty years and severe judgments, the nation endures and, in many cases, grows. Secondly, it underscores **Generational Transition and Renewal**, as a new generation, born and raised in the wilderness, stands ready to inherit the promises made to their forefathers, contrasting sharply with the fate of the rebellious generation (e.g., [Numbers 14:33](/numbers/14-33 "Numbers 14:33 - The Forty Years of Wandering")). Thirdly, the precise enumeration emphasizes **Divine Order and Organization**, essential for the successful conquest and settlement of Canaan, and for the establishment of a structured society in the Promised Land. Finally, the census serves as a direct **Preparation for Inheritance**, as the land was to be divided "according to the number of names" ([Numbers 26:53](/numbers/26-53 "Numbers 26:53 - Land Distribution Principle")), fulfilling God's ancient covenant promises to Abraham (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Promise of Land to Abraham")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Families (Hebrew, _mishpachot'_):** This term emphasizes the foundational unit of Israelite society, beyond just individuals. Land inheritance and tribal identity were intrinsically linked to these family units, highlighting the meticulous nature of the census in preparing for the division of Canaan. The focus on "families" underscores the patriarchal structure and the importance of lineage in God's covenant plan.
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _p'qudeihem'_):** Derived from the root _paqad_, meaning "to visit, muster, appoint, count." In this context, it refers to the official enumeration or mustering of the people. This act of numbering signifies divine oversight and purpose, as God is actively involved in ordering and preparing His people for their destiny. It implies a divine accounting, not merely a human statistic.
* **Asher (Hebrew, _Asher'_):** Meaning "happy" or "blessed," as named by Leah in [Genesis 30:13](/genesis/30-13 "Genesis 30:13 - Leah Names Asher"). The tribe of Asher, though not as prominent in later history, is here counted among the twelve, demonstrating God's faithfulness to all the sons of Jacob. Its growth from the first census (41,500 in [Numbers 1:41](/numbers/1-41 "Numbers 1:41 - Asher's First Census Count")) to 53,400 signifies a notable increase, a testament to God's blessing and preservation for this specific lineage.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [are] the families of the sons of Asher":** This opening clause immediately identifies the specific tribal group being enumerated. It grounds the numerical data in the concrete reality of Israel's tribal structure, emphasizing the lineage and familial units that constitute the nation. The focus is on the descendants of Asher, highlighting their distinct identity within the larger Israelite community.
* **"according to those that were numbered of them;":** This phrase clarifies that the subsequent number is the result of the census. It reinforces the official and meticulous nature of the count, indicating that the figures are not estimates but precise records based on a divine directive. The numbering was specifically of men aged twenty years and upward, "all that were able to go forth to war" ([Numbers 26:2](/numbers/26-2 "Numbers 26:2 - Criteria for the Census")), underscoring the census's military and land-allocation purposes.
* **"[who were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred.":** This provides the exact numerical strength of the tribe of Asher. This precise figure is crucial for comparison with the first census and for the subsequent division of the land. For Asher, this represents a significant increase from their initial count of 41,500 in [Numbers 1:41](/numbers/1-41 "Numbers 1:41 - Asher's First Census Count"), indicating a period of blessing and growth for this tribe, contrasting with other tribes that saw a decrease in their numbers.

#### Literary Devices
The passage in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census") and specifically [Numbers 26:47](/numbers/26-47 "Numbers 26:47 - Asher's Census Count") employs several literary devices. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as the formulaic presentation of each tribe's census results (identifying the tribe, stating the count, and sometimes noting the increase/decrease) is repeated throughout the chapter. This creates a rhythmic, authoritative tone, emphasizing the comprehensive and official nature of the census. **Precision** and **Detail** are also key, as the exact numerical counts for each tribe, down to the hundreds, convey a sense of historical accuracy and divine meticulousness. This attention to specific numbers underscores the idea that God is intimately involved in the details of His people's lives and their national destiny. While not overt, there is an element of **Symbolism** in the very act of numbering and the resulting figures; the survival and growth of the tribes, despite the wilderness trials, symbolize God's enduring covenant faithfulness and His power to preserve His chosen people. The census itself is a **Formulaic Literary Structure**, providing a clear, consistent framework for presenting vital demographic information that undergirds the future distribution of the land.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:47, while a seemingly simple demographic record, is rich with theological significance. It underscores the meticulousness of God's providential care for His people, demonstrating that even the intricate details of tribal populations are under His sovereign oversight. The survival and growth of tribes like Asher, despite the harsh wilderness conditions and the divine judgments against the rebellious generation, powerfully testify to God's unwavering covenant faithfulness. This census marks a divine reset, preparing a new generation, refined by wilderness discipline, to inherit the promises made to their forefathers. It illustrates that God's plans for His people, though sometimes delayed by human disobedience, are ultimately unstoppable and are brought to fruition with divine precision and order.

* [Numbers 1:41](/numbers/1-41 "Asher's First Census Count") - Provides the earlier census count for Asher, allowing for direct comparison and highlighting the tribe's growth.
* [Numbers 14:29-30](/numbers/14-29 "God's Judgment on the Disobedient Generation") - Explains the divine judgment that led to the demise of the first generation, making the survival and growth of the new generation in Numbers 26 all the more significant.
* [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Land Distribution by Lot") - Details how the census numbers directly determined the allocation of the Promised Land, linking the demographic data to the fulfillment of God's promises.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:47 invites us to reflect on God's profound attention to detail and His enduring faithfulness, even in the seemingly mundane aspects of life. Just as God meticulously counted and prepared each tribe for their inheritance, so too does He orchestrate the details of our lives, guiding us toward the fulfillment of His purposes. This verse reminds us that God's promises are generational; though one generation may falter, God raises up another to carry His work forward. It challenges us to consider our own place within God's unfolding plan, asking if we are prepared to embrace the inheritance and responsibilities He has for us. The growth of Asher, despite the wilderness, serves as an encouragement that God preserves and even prospers His people through trials, equipping them for the tasks ahead. We are called to trust in His meticulous providence, knowing that He is sovereign over every detail and will faithfully bring His plans to completion.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to numbers and details in this passage encourage or challenge your view of His involvement in your own life?**
* **What lessons can we learn from the generational transition in Numbers, particularly regarding obedience and preparedness for God's promises?**
* **In what ways do you see God preserving and growing His people (the church) today, even amidst challenges and trials?**

### FAQ
**Why was this second census taken, and what was its primary purpose?**

Answer: The second census, recorded in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"), was taken on the plains of Moab at the end of Israel's forty years of wilderness wandering, just before they were to enter the Promised Land. Its primary purposes were threefold: firstly, to ascertain the military strength of the new generation, as only those "able to go forth to war" ([Numbers 26:2](/numbers/26-2 "Numbers 26:2 - Criteria for the Census")) were counted, preparing them for the conquest of Canaan. Secondly, and crucially, the census provided the basis for the equitable distribution of the land, as the inheritance was to be divided "according to the number of names" ([Numbers 26:53](/numbers/26-53 "Numbers 26:53 - Land Distribution Principle")) among the tribes and families. Lastly, it served as a divine accounting, marking the transition from the generation under judgment to the new generation ready to fulfill God's covenant promises.

**How did the tribe of Asher's numbers compare to the first census, and what is the significance of this change?**

Answer: In the first census, recorded in [Numbers 1:41](/numbers/1-41 "Numbers 1:41 - Asher's First Census Count"), the tribe of Asher numbered 41,500 men. In this second census, [Numbers 26:47](/numbers/26-47 "Numbers 26:47 - Asher's Census Count") shows their count increased to 53,400. This represents a significant increase of 11,900 men. The significance of this growth is multifold: it demonstrates God's blessing and preservation upon this specific tribe, as not all tribes experienced an increase (some, like Simeon, saw a drastic decrease). It underscores God's faithfulness to His covenant people, allowing them to multiply even in the harsh wilderness. For Asher, it meant a larger portion of the land inheritance would be allotted to them, reflecting the principle of distribution based on population size ([Numbers 26:54](/numbers/26-54 "Numbers 26:54 - Land Distribution by Size")).

**What is the theological significance of such precise numerical details in the Bible, like the count of Asher?**

Answer: The theological significance of such precise numerical details, like the count of Asher in [Numbers 26:47](/numbers/26-47 "Numbers 26:47 - Asher's Census Count"), lies in several areas. Firstly, it attests to the historical reliability and factual nature of the biblical record, indicating that these were actual counts taken with meticulous care. Secondly, it highlights God's sovereignty and meticulous providence; He is not a God of chaos but of order, who oversees every detail of His people's lives and their national destiny. The numbers reveal His hand in preserving, judging, and preparing His people. Thirdly, it underscores the importance of each individual and family within God's covenant community, showing that God values and accounts for every member. Finally, these precise figures serve a practical purpose within the narrative, directly informing the military readiness and the equitable distribution of the Promised Land, demonstrating God's orderly fulfillment of His promises.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous census of Israel, including the specific count of Asher in [Numbers 26:47](/numbers/26-47 "Numbers 26:47 - Asher's Census Count"), finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in several profound ways. The ordering and numbering of God's people for the inheritance of the earthly Promised Land foreshadows God's sovereign ordering and counting of His spiritual people, the church, for an eternal inheritance. Just as the tribes were counted and prepared to enter Canaan, so too are believers, by grace through faith in Christ, counted among the "elect" and prepared for their heavenly 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 - The Imperishable Inheritance")). The transition from the old, disobedient generation to a new generation ready for the land prefigures the new covenant in Christ, where believers are made "new creations" ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")) and are no longer bound by the old covenant of law and its curses, but are brought into a living relationship with God through the ultimate Mediator. The preservation of Israel through the wilderness, despite their failures, points to Christ's unfailing preservation of His church, against whom "the gates of hell shall not prevail" ([Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - The Church and the Gates of Hell")). Furthermore, the meticulous counting of each individual tribe hints at God's intimate knowledge of every member of His spiritual family, whose names are "written in the Lamb's book of life" ([Revelation 21:27](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Names in the Book of Life")) and who are known to Him individually, even to the very hairs of their head ([Matthew 10:30](/matthew/10-30 "Matthew 10:30 - God Knows Every Hair on Your Head")). Christ is the true Joshua who leads His people into their ultimate and eternal rest, far surpassing the earthly inheritance of Canaan ([Hebrews 4:8-10](/hebrews/4-8 "Hebrews 4:8-10 - The True Rest in Christ")).

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 1:40

Of the children of Asher, 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 1:41

Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Asher, [were] forty and one thousand and five hundred.

Numbers 2:27

And those that encamp by him [shall be] the tribe of Asher: and the captain of the children of Asher [shall be] Pagiel the son of Ocran.

Numbers 2:28

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