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 detailed genealogical record of the tribe of Reuben, Israel's firstborn son, as part of the second census taken in the plains of Moab. This verse specifically identifies Hanoch and Pallu as direct descendants of Reuben, from whom the significant Hanochite and Palluite families originated. This meticulous enumeration served to establish tribal identity, prepare for the equitable distribution of the Promised Land, and underscore God's unwavering faithfulness in preserving His covenant people despite the wilderness generation's failures.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:5 opens the comprehensive second census of Israel, following the divine instructions given in [Numbers 26:1-4](/numbers/26-1 "Numbers 26:1-4 - Instructions for the Second Census"). This enumeration occurs at a pivotal moment in Israel's journey, on the plains of Moab, poised to enter the Promised Land. It stands in stark contrast to the first census recorded in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), which took place at Sinai at the beginning of the wilderness wanderings. The intervening forty years saw the death of the entire rebellious generation, as prophesied in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Wilderness Rebellion and God's Judgment"). Thus, this new census not only counts the new generation but also serves as a testament to God's judgment and His subsequent preservation of a remnant, preparing them for their inheritance. The subsequent verses in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census") continue to list the families of each tribe, culminating in the total count and instructions for land distribution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census in Numbers 26 was conducted in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, just before Israel's entry into Canaan. This geographical location was significant, marking the end of their wilderness journey and the threshold of their new life in the Promised Land. Culturally, censuses in ancient Near Eastern societies often served military, taxation, or land distribution purposes. For Israel, this census was primarily for the latter, ensuring an orderly and equitable division of the land among the tribes and their constituent families, as outlined in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Instructions for Land Distribution"). The emphasis on "families" (Hebrew: *mishpachot*) highlights the patriarchal and clan-based structure of Israelite society, where lineage and familial identity were paramount for social, legal, and religious standing. The act of numbering also underscored God's sovereign ownership of the land and His people, as the census was commanded by Him.
* **Key Themes:** Numbers 26:5 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, seen in the precise enumeration of families, underscores His desire for structure and order within His people, essential for their military readiness and the future administration of the land. Secondly, the verse highlights **Tribal Identity and Continuity**. Despite the forty years of wilderness wandering and the decimation of the previous generation due to rebellion and plague (e.g., [Numbers 25:9](/numbers/25-9 "Numbers 25:9 - The Plague at Baal-Peor")), the tribal and familial structures remained 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 preservation of His chosen people. Finally, the census as a whole, initiated by this verse, is a profound testimony to **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant**. The very existence and multiplication of these families, against all odds, 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 seen in [Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Reuben (Hebrew, רְאוּבֵן, _Re'uven'_):** The name means "Behold, a son!" or "See, a son!" (from *ra'ah* "to see" and *ben* "son"). He was the firstborn son of Jacob and Leah ([Genesis 29:32](/genesis/29-32 "Genesis 29:32 - Reuben's Birth")). His position as the "eldest son of Israel" (Jacob) is significant, highlighting the patriarchal lineage and the traditional rights and responsibilities associated with the firstborn, even though Reuben later lost his preeminence due to his sin ([Genesis 49:3-4](/genesis/49-3 "Genesis 49:3-4 - Jacob's Prophecy Regarding Reuben")). His mention here establishes the foundational lineage for the tribe's census.
* **Family (Hebrew, מִשְׁפָּחָה, _mishpachah'_):** This term refers to a clan, extended family, or sub-tribe, a division larger than a household but smaller than a full tribe. The repetition of "the family of the Hanochites" and "the family of the Palluites" emphasizes the distinct, identifiable units within the larger tribe of Reuben. This organizational structure was crucial for the census's purpose: to count individuals by their established familial units for the precise allocation of land and military organization. The *mishpachah* served as the primary social and economic unit for the Israelites.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Reuben, the eldest son of Israel:"** This opening phrase immediately establishes the patriarch of the tribe being enumerated. Reuben's status as "eldest son of Israel" (Jacob) highlights his traditional prominence, despite his personal failures. It grounds the current generation in their foundational lineage, connecting them directly to the covenant promises made to Jacob.
* **"the children of Reuben;"** This clause transitions from the patriarch to his direct offspring, indicating that the following names are the immediate sons from whom the tribal subdivisions will spring. It sets the stage for the enumeration of the primary family lines within the tribe.
* **"Hanoch, [of whom cometh] the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:"** This segment lists two of Reuben's sons, Hanoch and Pallu, and immediately connects them to the distinct "families" or clans that bear their names. The structure "of whom cometh the family of the X-ites" 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 and their place within the larger tribal framework.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:5, as part of a larger genealogical list, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Repetition**. The systematic listing of names and their corresponding family units is a form of enumeration, providing a comprehensive account of the Israelite population. The phrase "the family of the X-ites" is repeated for each son, establishing a clear and consistent pattern that reinforces the distinct identity of each clan. This **Formulaic Language** ensures clarity and emphasizes the structured nature of the census. While seemingly dry, this precise genealogical record serves as a literary device to underscore the **Continuity** of God's people across generations, despite the severe judgments on the previous generation. It is a testament to the enduring nature of God's covenant promises, manifested in the preserved and identifiable family lines.

### 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, demonstrates that God's plan for His people is not derailed by human failure but continues through His sovereign preservation and grace. This detailed record is not merely administrative; it is theological, affirming God's faithfulness to multiply Abraham's descendants and prepare them for the promised inheritance. It highlights that every individual and family has a place within God's grand redemptive narrative, meticulously ordered by divine design.

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

#### 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?**
* **How can the continuity of God's people, despite past failures, 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"), is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it marks a new generation. The first census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census") counted those who left Egypt and were of fighting age. Almost all of them, due to their rebellion and unbelief (as recounted in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Wilderness Rebellion")), died in the wilderness. This second census counts the new generation, born and raised in the wilderness, who are now poised to enter the Promised Land. Secondly, its primary purpose is for the equitable distribution of the land of Canaan, as stated in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution Instructions"). The size of each tribe and family determined the extent of their inheritance. Lastly, it serves as a powerful theological statement of God's faithfulness. Despite judgment and death, God preserved and multiplied His people, fulfilling His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Numbers 26:5 is a genealogical record of an Old Testament tribe, its underlying themes find profound fulfillment in Christ. The meticulous accounting of families for the purpose of inheritance foreshadows the ultimate 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 ultimate heir of all things, and through Him, believers become co-heirs ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). The continuity of God's people, preserved through generations despite their failures, points to the enduring nature of God's covenant, which finds its "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ ([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 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 (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.