Numbers 26:5

KJV

¶ Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, [of whom cometh] the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:

KJV (with Strong's)

Reuben {H7205}, the eldest {H1060} son of Israel {H3478}: the children {H1121} of Reuben {H7205}; Hanoch {H2585}, of whom cometh the family {H4940} of the Hanochites {H2599}: of Pallu {H6396}, the family {H4940} of the Palluites {H6384}:

Complete Jewish Bible

[The census results begin with] Re'uven, the firstborn of Isra'el. The descendants of Re'uven were: of Hanokh, the family of the Hanokhi; of Pallu, the family of the Pallu'i;

Berean Standard Bible

Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu,

American Standard Version

Reuben, the first-born of Israel; the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:5 initiates the meticulous second census of Israel, conducted in the plains of Moab, specifically focusing on the tribe of Reuben, Israel's firstborn son. This verse precisely identifies Hanoch and Pallu as direct descendants of Reuben, from whom the distinct Hanochite and Palluite families originated. This detailed enumeration served to establish tribal identity, prepare for the equitable distribution of the Promised Land, and powerfully underscore God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving His covenant people despite the wilderness generation's failures and the intervening decades of judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:5 serves as the foundational verse for the comprehensive second census of Israel, immediately following the divine command given to Moses and Eleazar in [Numbers 26:1-4](/numbers/26-1-4 "Numbers 26:1-4 - Instructions for the Second Census"). This enumeration is a pivotal moment in Israel's narrative, occurring on the plains of Moab as the nation stands poised to enter the Promised Land. It intentionally parallels and starkly contrasts with the first census recorded in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), which took place approximately forty years earlier at Mount Sinai, at the beginning of their wilderness journey. The intervening period witnessed the death of the entire rebellious generation, as prophesied due to their unbelief and disobedience, particularly after the Kadesh-Barnea incident detailed in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Wilderness Rebellion and God's Judgment"). Consequently, this new census not only counts the new generation but also stands as a profound testament to God's righteous judgment and His enduring faithfulness in preserving a remnant, preparing them for their promised inheritance. The subsequent verses in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census") systematically list the families of each tribe, culminating in the total count and explicit instructions for land distribution based on these numbers.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census in Numbers 26 was conducted in the plains of Moab, situated east of the Jordan River, immediately preceding Israel's long-awaited entry into Canaan. This geographical location was immensely significant, marking the culmination of their arduous wilderness journey and the threshold of their new life in the Promised Land. Culturally, censuses in the ancient Near East were common and typically served practical purposes such as military conscription, taxation, or, critically for Israel, land allocation. For the Israelites, this census was primarily for the latter, ensuring an orderly and equitable division of the land among the tribes and their constituent families, as explicitly outlined in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52-56 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Instructions for Land Distribution by Lot"). The repeated emphasis on "families" (Hebrew: *mishpachot*) throughout the chapter highlights the deeply patriarchal and clan-based structure of Israelite society, where lineage, familial identity, and tribal affiliation were paramount for social standing, legal rights, and religious participation. Furthermore, the very act of numbering, commanded by God, underscored His sovereign ownership of both the land and His chosen people.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 26:5, as the opening entry in this vital census, contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Numbers and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Order and Organization**. God's meticulous attention to detail, evident in the precise enumeration of families and clans, underscores His desire for structure, discipline, and order within His covenant people, which was essential for their military readiness, their future settlement, and the administration of the land. Secondly, the verse highlights **Tribal Identity and Continuity**. Despite the forty years of wilderness wandering, the decimation of the previous generation due to rebellion and plague (e.g., the plague at Baal-Peor in [Numbers 25:9](/numbers/25-9 "Numbers 25:9 - The Plague at Baal-Peor")), and the inherent challenges of nomadic life, the core tribal and familial structures of Israel remained remarkably intact. This continuity, explicitly linking the new generation back to their patriarchal fathers like Reuben (whose birth is recorded in [Genesis 29:32](/genesis/29-32 "Genesis 29:32 - The Birth of Reuben")), affirms God's miraculous preservation of His chosen people. Finally, the census as a whole, initiated by this verse, serves as a profound testimony to **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant**. The very existence, survival, and multiplication of these families, against all odds and despite their ancestors' failures, demonstrate God's unwavering commitment to His promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—that their descendants would become a great nation and inherit the land, as first articulated in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1-3 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reuben (Hebrew, _Rᵉʼûwbên'_):** from the imperative of רָאָה and בֵּן; see ye a son; Reuben, a son of Jacob; Reuben. The name itself, meaning "Behold, a son!" or "See, a son!", reflects the circumstances of his birth to Leah, Jacob's first wife ([Genesis 29:32](/genesis/29-32 "Genesis 29:32 - Reuben's Birth")). His designation as "the eldest son of Israel" (Jacob) is crucial, as it establishes the patriarchal lineage and the traditional, though later forfeited, rights and responsibilities associated with the firstborn. His inclusion here grounds the tribal census in the foundational history of the nation.
* **family (Hebrew, _mishpâchâh'_):** from שָׁפָה (compare שִׁפְחָה); a family, i.e. circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people; family, kind(-red). This term denotes a clan or extended family unit, a subdivision larger than a single household but smaller than a full tribe. The repeated phrase "the family of the Hanochites" and "the family of the Palluites" emphasizes the distinct, identifiable, and organized units within the larger tribe of Reuben. This organizational structure was fundamental to the census's purpose: to count individuals by their established familial units for the precise allocation of land and for military and administrative organization. The *mishpachah* served as the primary social, economic, and legal unit for the Israelites.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Reuben, the eldest son of Israel:"** This opening clause immediately identifies the patriarch of the tribe being enumerated, establishing the foundational lineage. Reuben's status as "eldest son of Israel" (Jacob) highlights his traditional prominence and connects the current generation directly to the covenant promises made to Jacob, despite Reuben's personal failures which led to the loss of his firstborn privileges ([Genesis 49:3-4](/genesis/49-3-4 "Jacob's Prophecy Regarding Reuben")).
* **"the children of Reuben;"** This phrase serves as a transitional statement, moving from the patriarch himself to his direct offspring. It indicates that the subsequent names are the immediate sons from whom the major tribal subdivisions or clans will spring, setting the stage for the detailed enumeration of the primary family lines within the tribe of Reuben.
* **"Hanoch, [of whom cometh] the family of the Hanochites:"** This segment introduces Hanoch, one of Reuben's sons, and immediately links him to the distinct "family" or clan that bears his name. The construction "of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites" clearly delineates the lineage and the resulting clan identity. This precise naming and categorization were vital for establishing each family's legitimate claim to future inheritance in the Promised Land and their defined place within the larger tribal framework.
* **"of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:"** Similarly, this clause introduces Pallu, another son of Reuben, and associates him with the distinct "family of the Palluites." The parallel structure reinforces the systematic and comprehensive nature of the census. Each named son represents a progenitor of a significant clan, emphasizing the importance of lineage and the organized structure of Israelite society as they prepared to settle the land.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:5, as an integral part of an extensive genealogical list, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Repetition**. The systematic listing of names and their corresponding family units is a clear form of enumeration, providing a comprehensive and detailed account of the Israelite population. The consistent phrase "the family of the X-ites" is repeated for each son, establishing a clear and consistent **Formulaic Language** that reinforces the distinct identity and organization of each clan. This repetition not only ensures clarity but also emphasizes the structured and orderly nature of the census. While seemingly dry in its administrative detail, this precise genealogical record serves as a powerful literary device to underscore the **Continuity** of God's people across generations. It highlights that despite the severe judgments on the previous generation and the passage of forty years, God's covenant promises endured, manifested in the preserved and identifiable family lines poised to inherit the land.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:5, though a single line in a lengthy census, profoundly underscores God's meticulous nature and His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises. The precise enumeration of families, even those of Reuben, whose patriarch had a checkered past and whose tribe later diminished in prominence, demonstrates that God's overarching plan for His people is not derailed by human failure or historical setbacks. Instead, His purposes continue through His sovereign preservation and grace. This detailed record is not merely administrative; it is deeply theological, affirming God's faithfulness to multiply Abraham's descendants and prepare them for the promised inheritance. It highlights that every individual and family, meticulously ordered by divine design, has a specific place within God's grand redemptive narrative, affirming His faithfulness to His word across generations.

* [Genesis 46:8-27](/genesis/46-8-27 "Genesis 46:8-27 - The Sons of Jacob Who Went to Egypt")
* [Exodus 1:1-5](/exodus/1-1-5 "Exodus 1:1-5 - The Sons of Israel in Egypt")
* [Numbers 1:20-21](/numbers/1-20-21 "Numbers 1:20-21 - The Census of Reuben's Tribe")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The seemingly mundane details of a genealogical list like Numbers 26:5 hold profound spiritual lessons for believers today. This verse reminds us that God is intimately concerned with order, identity, and continuity within His people. Just as He meticulously tracked the families of Israel for their inheritance, He knows each of us by name and has a specific place for us within His spiritual family, the church. Our spiritual lineage connects us to Christ, the ultimate "firstborn" and heir, and through Him, we receive an inheritance that is imperishable and undefiled. This passage encourages us to value our spiritual heritage, to understand our place in God's ongoing story, and to trust in His faithfulness to fulfill His promises, even through periods of transition, challenge, or apparent setback. It calls us to live with the assurance that God's detailed plan for His people endures through all generations, providing both stability and purpose.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in this census encourage or challenge your view of His involvement in your own life?**
* **In what ways does understanding your spiritual "lineage" in Christ provide a sense of identity and belonging within God's family?**
* **How can the continuity of God's people, despite past failures and judgments, strengthen your faith in His enduring promises for the church today?**

### FAQ
**Why is this census so important, especially after the first one in Numbers 1?**

Answer: This second census, initiated with [Numbers 26:1](/numbers/26-1 "Numbers 26:1 - The Command for the Second Census") and detailed from [Numbers 26:5](/numbers/26-5 "Numbers 26:5 - The Tribe of Reuben in the Second Census") onwards, is crucial for several interconnected reasons. Firstly, it counts a new generation. The first census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census") enumerated those who were of fighting age when they departed Egypt. Almost all of them, due to their rebellion and unbelief (as recounted in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Wilderness Rebellion and God's Judgment")), perished in the wilderness. This second census, therefore, counts the new generation, born and raised during the wilderness wanderings, who are now poised to enter and conquer the Promised Land. Secondly, its primary purpose is for the equitable distribution of the land of Canaan, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52-56 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution Instructions"). The size of each tribe and its constituent families directly determined the extent of their inheritance, ensuring a fair allocation. Lastly, and perhaps most profoundly, it serves as a powerful theological statement of God's unwavering faithfulness. Despite judgment and widespread death, God preserved and multiplied His people, demonstrating His unyielding commitment to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, thereby fulfilling His redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 26:5 is a meticulous genealogical record of an Old Testament tribe, its underlying themes of divine order, faithful preservation, and promised inheritance find profound fulfillment in Christ. The careful accounting of Israelite families for the purpose of receiving an earthly inheritance foreshadows the ultimate, spiritual inheritance secured by Jesus. As the true "firstborn" over all creation ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Firstborn of All Creation")) and the "firstborn from the dead" ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ, the Firstborn from the Dead")), Christ is the supreme heir of all things, and through union with Him, believers become co-heirs with Him ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). The remarkable continuity of God's people, preserved through generations despite their recurrent failures and divine judgment, points to the enduring nature of God's covenant, which finds its definitive "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ Jesus ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Just as the Israelite families were counted and organized for their earthly inheritance, so too are believers, as members of God's spiritual family, the Church, meticulously gathered, redeemed, and prepared by Christ for their heavenly inheritance—a "kingdom that cannot be shaken" ([Hebrews 12:28](/hebrews/12-28 "Hebrews 12:28 - A Kingdom That Cannot Be Shaken")). The ultimate "family" that God is building is not merely one of blood and tribe, but one united in Christ through faith, fulfilling the promise that in Abraham's seed (who is Christ), all the families of the earth would be blessed ([Galatians 3:16](/galatians/3-16 "Galatians 3:16 - The Seed is Christ") and [Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")).

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

1 Chronicles 5:3

The sons, [I say], of Reuben the firstborn of Israel [were], Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi.

Genesis 46:8

And these [are] the names of the children of Israel, which came into Egypt, Jacob and his sons: Reuben, Jacob's firstborn.

Genesis 46:9

And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.

Exodus 6:14

¶ These [be] the heads of their fathers' houses: The sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel; Hanoch, and Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi: these [be] the families of Reuben.

1 Chronicles 5:1

¶ Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, (for he [was] the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy is not to be reckoned after the birthright.

Genesis 49:2

Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father.

Genesis 49:3

Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power: