Numbers 26:48

KJV

[Of] the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:

KJV (with Strong's)

Of the sons {H1121} of Naphtali {H5321} after their families {H4940}: of Jahzeel {H3183}, the family {H4940} of the Jahzeelites {H3184}: of Guni {H1476}, the family {H4940} of the Gunites {H1477}:

Complete Jewish Bible

The descendants of Naftali, by their families: of Yachtze'el, the families of the Yachtze'eli; of Guni, the family of the Guni;

Berean Standard Bible

These were the descendants of Naphtali by their clans: The Jahzeelite clan from Jahzeel, the Gunite clan from Guni,

American Standard Version

The sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites; of Guni, the family of the Gunites;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:48, an integral part of Israel's second national census, meticulously records two of the four major family clans within the tribe of Naphtali: the Jahzeelites and the Gunites. This seemingly simple genealogical entry is profoundly significant, serving to underscore God's divine order and meticulous preparation for the impending distribution of the Promised Land. It highlights His unwavering faithfulness in preserving His covenant people through the wilderness generation and His precise accounting of each family unit, ensuring their future inheritance and demonstrating His sovereign oversight of their destiny.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:48 is situated within the comprehensive second census of the Israelite tribes, conducted in the plains of Moab, immediately prior to their entry into Canaan. This enumeration, detailed throughout [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"), stands in stark contrast to the first census recorded nearly forty years earlier in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census at Sinai"), which counted the generation destined to perish in the wilderness due to their disobedience and unbelief, as prophesied in [Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - The Fate of the Wilderness Generation"). The primary purpose of this second census was twofold: first, to ascertain the number of men eligible for military service in the upcoming conquest of Canaan, and second, and perhaps more significantly, to provide the administrative basis for the equitable distribution of the Promised Land by lot, with larger tribes and families receiving larger portions, as outlined in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Principles for Land Distribution"). Thus, verse 48, by meticulously listing specific families within the tribe of Naphtali, contributes to the vital record-keeping essential for the impending inheritance and the establishment of Israel as a settled nation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The plains of Moab, located east of the Jordan River, represented the final staging ground for the Israelites before they crossed into the Promised Land. In the ancient Near East, censuses were common administrative practices for purposes such as military conscription, taxation, and land management. For Israel, however, a census also carried profound theological weight, demonstrating God's sovereign oversight and meticulous care for His covenant people. Tribal and family identity was paramount in Israelite society, as it determined social standing, responsibilities, and, most crucially, land inheritance. Land was understood as a perpetual inheritance, inextricably tied to specific family lines, ensuring that each household had a permanent stake in the covenant promises and the economic stability of the nation. The detailed listing of "families" (Hebrew: *mishpachot*) within each tribe highlights the critical importance of the clan structure as the fundamental unit for land allocation and social organization in the nascent Israelite nation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, as an integral part of the larger census in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"), contributes to several overarching themes evident throughout the Book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Order and Sovereignty**. God is meticulously organizing His people, demonstrating His precise planning and absolute control over their destiny, ensuring that every family has a designated place in His grand design. Secondly, it underscores God's unwavering **Faithfulness to His Covenant** with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite the previous generation's profound rebellion and failure in the wilderness, God faithfully preserves a new generation, bringing them to the very threshold of the Promised Land, thereby fulfilling His ancient and enduring promises. Thirdly, the census highlights the theme of **Preparation for Inheritance**. It represents a necessary administrative and spiritual step, signifying Israel's readiness to transition from a nomadic existence in the wilderness to settled possession of the land God had promised them. Finally, it speaks to the **Continuity of God's People**, showing that despite significant losses and challenges, the nation of Israel, through its surviving families and renewed numbers, endures and grows under God's watchful and providential care.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jahzeel (Hebrew, יַחְצְאֵל, _Yachtsᵉʼêl'_):** This personal name, meaning "God will allot" or "God divides," is remarkably fitting given the context of the census. The enumeration of families in Numbers 26 directly precedes and serves as the basis for the division of the Promised Land among the tribes and their respective clans. The etymology of Jahzeel subtly points to God's sovereign hand in the allocation of inheritance, emphasizing that the land was not merely conquered by human might but divinely distributed according to His meticulous plan. The descendants of Jahzeel, the "Jahzeelites," would receive their portion based on this divine allotment.
* **Guni (Hebrew, גּוּנִי, _Gûwnîy'_):** This name, likely meaning "protected," represents another distinct personal name that became the progenitor of a significant family line within the tribe of Naphtali. Its inclusion alongside Jahzeel emphasizes the comprehensive and systematic nature of the census, ensuring that every recognized family unit within the tribe was accounted for. This highlights the importance of individual identity and lineage within the larger tribal structure, as each family, regardless of its specific etymological meaning, held a unique place and would receive a distinct portion in the Promised Land.
* **Family (Hebrew, מִשְׁפָּחָה, _mishpâchâh'_):** This term refers to the clans or extended family units that comprised the larger tribe. The census was structured to count individuals "after their families" because the land was to be distributed to these specific family units, not just to the tribes as a whole. This underscores the granular level of God's organization and the importance of the family as the fundamental social, economic, and legal unit in ancient Israel, especially concerning the perpetual inheritance of land. The precision with which these units are identified highlights God's meticulous care for every segment of His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Of] the sons of Naphtali after their families:** This opening phrase establishes the specific tribal focus of the verse, indicating that the following enumeration pertains to the descendants of Naphtali, one of Jacob's twelve sons. The crucial phrase "after their families" (or "according to their clans") emphasizes that the census is not merely a general tribal count but a detailed listing based on the established family units or clans (*mishpachot*), which would be the direct recipients of the land inheritance. This highlights the meticulous and purposeful nature of the census.
* **of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites:** This clause identifies the first specific clan within the tribe of Naphtali, tracing its lineage back to its progenitor, Jahzeel. The repetition of the name in "Jahzeelites" (the patronymic form) clearly links the collective family unit to its founding ancestor, solidifying their identity, historical continuity, and claim within the tribal structure. This precision was vital for accurate land distribution and the establishment of clear boundaries.
* **of Guni, the family of the Gunites:** This clause follows the exact same pattern as the previous one, identifying a second distinct clan within Naphtali, descended from Guni. The consistent formula reinforces the systematic and thorough nature of the census, ensuring that all recognized family lines were accounted for. The inclusion of these specific names, even if seemingly mundane, highlights God's meticulous attention to every detail of His people's organization and future, affirming the significance of each family unit in His divine plan.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 26:48, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Genealogy**. This meticulous listing of lineages and family names serves several crucial functions: it establishes identity, confirms tribal affiliation, validates claims to future inheritance, and demonstrates the continuity of God's covenant people across generations. The precise and repetitive formula, "of X, the family of the X-ites," functions as a form of **Repetition**, creating a rhythmic, almost litany-like effect that underscores the systematic and exhaustive nature of the census. This **Precision** and attention to detail in the enumeration itself can be seen as a literary reflection of God's own meticulousness and orderliness in His dealings with His people, emphasizing that every individual and family is known and accounted for in His divine plan. The dry, factual nature of the list belies its profound theological implications regarding divine sovereignty and faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:48, though a single line in a comprehensive genealogical list, profoundly speaks to God's intimate knowledge and sovereign care for His people. It reveals a God who is not distant or abstract, but one who meticulously orders and prepares His covenant community for the fulfillment of His promises. The census, of which this verse is a part, is a powerful testament to God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving a new generation, even after the widespread failure and judgment of the previous one, and His steadfast commitment to bringing them into their promised inheritance. It demonstrates that God's plans are detailed, purposeful, and extend to the very family units that would constitute the nation in the Promised Land. This seemingly dry enumeration is, in fact, a vibrant declaration of God's active involvement in the lives of individuals and the destiny of nations, ensuring that every part of His redemptive plan is accounted for and brought to fruition.

* [Numbers 1:1](/numbers/1-1 "The First Census at Sinai")
* [Numbers 26:52](/numbers/26-52 "Principles for Land Distribution")
* [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Chosen Before the Foundation of the World")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous detail of Numbers 26:48, reflecting God's precise organization of the Israelite families, offers profound insights for our lives today. It reminds us that God is a God of order, not chaos, and that His plans for us are equally detailed and purposeful. Just as He knew each family and their place in the inheritance, He knows each of us intimately, having numbered the very hairs on our heads. This should instill a deep sense of security and belonging, knowing that we are not overlooked or forgotten in His grand design, but rather are fearfully and wonderfully made, known by Him. Furthermore, the census was an act of preparation for a new phase—entering the Promised Land. Similarly, God often prepares us through various seasons and challenges for the blessings and callings He has for our lives. This preparation might involve periods of waiting, learning, or even discipline, but it is always aimed at bringing us into the fullness of His promises and equipping us for His purposes. We are called to trust in His sovereign timing and embrace the process of preparation, knowing that our ultimate inheritance is secure in Him, and our identity is found in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in this census encourage or challenge your understanding of His personal involvement in your own life?**
* **In what specific ways might God be preparing you for a "promised land" or a new phase in your spiritual journey, and how can you cooperate with His process?**
* **How does understanding your spiritual lineage or identity as a child of God in Christ provide a profound sense of belonging, purpose, and security?**

### FAQ
**Why is a list of names and families so important in the Bible?**

Answer: Genealogies, like the one in Numbers 26:48, are crucial in the Bible for several reasons. They establish identity, lineage, and rights, particularly concerning land inheritance and priestly service. They demonstrate God's faithfulness across generations, showing how He preserves His covenant people despite their failures. For the Israelites, these lists provided the legal and historical basis for their claims to the Promised Land, ensuring that each family received its rightful portion as outlined in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Principles for Land Distribution"). They also served to validate the continuity of God's covenant promises from Abraham through successive generations, demonstrating the fulfillment of His word.

**What is the significance of the name "Jahzeel"?**

Answer: Jahzeel (Hebrew: יַחְצְאֵל, _Yachtsᵉʼêl_) means "God will allot" or "God divides." This meaning is highly significant given that the census in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census") directly precedes and informs the division of the Promised Land among the tribes and families. The name subtly points to God's sovereign hand in the allocation of inheritance, emphasizing that the land was not merely conquered by human might but divinely distributed according to His meticulous plan. It foreshadows the detailed process of land distribution that would follow, where each family, including the Jahzeelites, would receive their specific portion, highlighting divine providence in the very names of His people.

**How does this census relate to the first census in Numbers 1?**

Answer: The first census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census at Sinai") counted the original generation of fighting men who left Egypt and stood at Mount Sinai. Tragically, most of this generation perished in the wilderness due to their disobedience and unbelief, as prophesied in [Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - The Fate of the Wilderness Generation"). This second census in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"), conducted nearly forty years later, counts the new generation, born and raised in the wilderness, who are now poised to enter the Promised Land. It signifies God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant and preparing them for the fulfillment of His covenant promises, marking a profound transition from judgment and wandering to renewed hope and the imminent inheritance of the land. It underscores God's enduring commitment to His covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:48, with its meticulous enumeration of families for the purpose of land inheritance, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the spiritual inheritance secured for believers through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament census pointed to a physical inheritance in a temporal land; however, in Christ, believers receive an eternal, incorruptible, and undefiled inheritance that will not fade away, kept in heaven for them ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope and Incorruptible Inheritance")). Just as God meticulously counted and organized the families of Israel, demonstrating His intimate knowledge of each, so too does He know every believer by name, whose names are eternally inscribed in the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - The Book of Life")). The preparation of Israel for their promised land foreshadows Christ's preparation of His Church for their eternal dwelling. He is the ultimate "allotment," the one through whom we receive our spiritual portion and a place in God's eternal family, having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will ([Ephesians 1:11](/ephesians/1-11 "Ephesians 1:11 - Our Inheritance in Christ")). Through His sacrifice on the cross and His glorious resurrection, Jesus has not only secured our inheritance but also prepares a place for us with Him, fulfilling the deepest longings for belonging, security, and eternal rest that the earthly inheritance of Israel could only dimly foreshadow ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place")). He is the true and greater Joshua, leading His people into their eternal rest.

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 46:24

And the sons of Naphtali; Jahzeel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shillem.

1 Chronicles 7:13

The sons of Naphtali; Jahziel, and Guni, and Jezer, and Shallum, the sons of Bilhah.