Numbers 26:50

KJV

These [are] the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them [were] forty and five thousand and four hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

These are the families {H4940} of Naphtali {H5321} according to their families {H4940}: and they that were numbered {H6485} of them were forty {H705} and five {H2568} thousand {H505} and four {H702} hundred {H3967}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These are the families of Naftali according to their families; those of them that were counted were 45,400.

Berean Standard Bible

These were the clans of Naphtali, and their registration numbered 45,400.

American Standard Version

These are the families of Naphtali according to their families; and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:50 meticulously records the census count for the tribe of Naphtali, noting their population as forty-five thousand and four hundred. This verse is part of the second national census of Israel, conducted in the plains of Moab at the threshold of the Promised Land, serving a crucial administrative purpose for military organization and, more significantly, for the equitable distribution of land inheritance among the tribes, underscoring God's precise order and faithfulness to His covenant promises.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:50 is situated within the lengthy enumeration of the second census of Israel, detailed in [Numbers chapter 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel"). This chapter systematically lists the male population (twenty years old and upward) of each tribe, family by family, following the divine command given in [Numbers 26:1-4](/numbers/26-1 "Numbers 26:1-4 - Command for the Second Census"). The preceding verses in chapter 26 provide the counts for other tribes, while the subsequent verses (e.g., [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Population")) directly link these population figures to the method of land allocation in Canaan. The precise recording of each tribal family, including Naphtali's, emphasizes the meticulous nature of God's divine order and preparation for the nation's future. This census stands in stark contrast to the first census in [Numbers chapter 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census at Sinai"), taken nearly forty years prior at Mount Sinai, highlighting the generational shift and the consequences of the wilderness wanderings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census takes place in the plains of Moab, on the eastern side of the Jordan River, signifying the imminent entry into the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. Historically, this period marks the end of a generation that largely perished due to disobedience, and the rise of a new generation poised to fulfill God's covenant. Culturally, censuses in ancient Near Eastern societies were often conducted for military conscription and taxation. In Israel, however, this census held profound theological significance, directly tied to the fulfillment of the Abrahamic covenant regarding land inheritance and national identity. The concept of "families" (Hebrew: *mishpachot*) was central to Israelite society, as tribal and familial lineages determined social structure, land rights, and roles within the community. The detailed counting of each family unit within the tribe of Naphtali, therefore, was not merely a bureaucratic exercise but a foundational act for establishing the future socio-economic and spiritual life of the nation in Canaan.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, as part of the broader census, contributes to several overarching themes in the Book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it underscores **Divine Order and Organization**, demonstrating God's meticulous care in structuring His people for both military readiness and settled life in the land. The detailed enumeration reflects a divine blueprint for the nation's future. Secondly, it powerfully illustrates God's **Faithfulness to Promises**. Despite the rebellion and faithlessness of the first generation, which led to their demise (as recounted in [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Israel's Rebellion and God's Judgment")), God remained steadfast to His covenant with Abraham to multiply his descendants and give them the land (e.g., [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")). The presence of a new, numerous generation ready to inherit the land is a testament to this enduring faithfulness. Thirdly, the census highlights **Preparation for Inheritance**. The primary stated purpose of this numbering was to facilitate the equitable distribution of the Promised Land, with larger tribes receiving larger portions, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Population"). Finally, it emphasizes the **Continuity of the Nation**. Even after significant losses and the passing of a generation, God ensures the survival and growth of Israel, demonstrating His persistent work through human history to bring His redemptive plans to fruition.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Families (Hebrew, _mishpachot'_):** The Hebrew term מִשְׁפָּחֹת (mishpachot) refers to clans or extended family units, which were the fundamental social and genealogical divisions within the larger tribal structure of Israel. This emphasis on "families" rather than just individuals highlights the corporate nature of Israelite society and the importance of lineage for identity, inheritance, and social order. The census was not merely a headcount but a registration of these established familial units, crucial for the upcoming land distribution.
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _paqad'_):** The verb פָּקַד (paqad) is rich in meaning, encompassing ideas of visiting, mustering, appointing, or counting. In the context of a census, it implies a divine overseeing and registration, not just a simple human tabulation. It suggests God's active involvement in the affairs of His people, taking account of them, and preparing them for His purposes. This is a divine "muster," signifying God's authority and intention behind the census.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [are] the families of Naphtali according to their families:"** This opening clause serves as an introductory statement, clearly identifying the subject of the verse: the genealogical divisions (families/clans) of the tribe of Naphtali. The repetition of "families" (or "clans") emphasizes the meticulous nature of the census, which accounted for the population based on these established kinship groups, rather than just a raw individual count. This detail was vital for maintaining tribal identity and for the subsequent land distribution.
* **"and they that were numbered of them [were] forty and five thousand and four hundred."** This clause presents the precise numerical outcome of the census for the tribe of Naphtali. The figure 45,400 represents the total count of males aged twenty years and upward, eligible for military service and land inheritance. This specific number, when compared with Naphtali's count in the first census (53,400 in [Numbers 1:43](/numbers/1-43 "Numbers 1:43 - Naphtali's First Census Count")), indicates a decrease of 8,000. This fluctuation, though a decrease for Naphtali, is part of the overall picture of the tribes' populations changing during the wilderness journey, reflecting the challenges and divine judgments experienced by the first generation, yet demonstrating God's continued preservation of the nation as a whole.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in Numbers 26:50, and indeed throughout the entire chapter, is **Enumeration** or **Listing**. The systematic and repetitive listing of each tribe and its precise population count emphasizes divine order, meticulousness, and the administrative precision required for the nation's future. The repetition of "families" (or "clans") within the verse itself serves as a form of **Repetition**, reinforcing the organizational structure by which the census was conducted. Furthermore, the entire census, including this specific verse, functions as **Symbolism**. The very act of counting and the resulting numbers symbolize God's faithfulness to His covenant promises (specifically the promise of multiplying Abraham's descendants), His sovereignty over His people's destiny, and His providential preparation for their inheritance of the land. The numbers, though seemingly dry statistics, are imbued with theological significance, testifying to God's active involvement in the history of Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:50, while a seemingly straightforward numerical record, is deeply embedded in the theological narrative of Israel's journey. It testifies to God's meticulous care, not only for the nation as a whole but for each tribe and family within it. This divine attention to detail underscores His sovereignty over the destinies of His people, demonstrating that His plans are precise and purposeful. The census, occurring at the cusp of the Promised Land, is a powerful affirmation of God's covenant faithfulness. Despite the wilderness generation's rebellion and failure, God raises up a new generation, counted and prepared, to inherit the promises made to Abraham. This continuity highlights God's unwavering commitment to His redemptive purposes, even when human obedience falters. The act of numbering also speaks to the theme of divine preparation, as the census was a prerequisite for the orderly and just distribution of the land, ensuring that each family received its inheritance according to God's design.

* [Numbers 1:43](/numbers/1-43 "Numbers 1:43 - Naphtali's First Census Count")
* [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Population")
* [Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "Genesis 12:2 - God's Promise to Abraham")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:50, though a historical record of a census, offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a God of order, purpose, and meticulous care. He is not detached from the details of our lives or the collective journey of His people. Just as He prepared Israel for their inheritance through careful organization and counting, He prepares us for His purposes and our spiritual inheritance. This verse encourages us to trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem chaotic or challenging, much like the wilderness journey. It teaches the importance of being "counted" and ready for God's work, whether in our personal callings or as part of the collective body of Christ. God's faithfulness endures across generations, ensuring that His promises will ultimately be fulfilled, and His people will enter into their promised rest and blessing. This should inspire us to live with intentionality, recognizing that our lives are part of a larger divine narrative, and that God is actively orchestrating events for His glory and our good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's meticulous attention to detail in the census, as seen in Numbers 26:50, inform your understanding of His care for your own life?**
* **In what ways might God be "numbering" or preparing you for a future purpose or "inheritance" in your spiritual journey?**
* **How does the continuity of God's people across generations, despite challenges (like Naphtali's population decrease), encourage you regarding the church today?**
* **What practical steps can you take to align your life more closely with God's divine order and purpose, as exemplified by the census?**

### FAQ
**Why was such a detailed census, including specific tribal and family counts, so important to God?**

Answer: The detailed census, as seen in Numbers 26:50, was crucial for several divinely ordained purposes. Firstly, it served as a military muster, identifying all men aged twenty and above who were eligible for military service, thus preparing the nation for the conquest of Canaan. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, it was the basis for the equitable distribution of the Promised Land. As stated in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Land Distribution by Population"), the size of each tribe's inheritance was to be proportional to its registered population. This ensured fairness and prevented disputes. Beyond practicalities, the census also underscored God's faithfulness to His covenant with Abraham to make his descendants a great nation ([Genesis 12:2](/genesis/12-2 "God's Promise to Abraham")) and demonstrated His meticulous order and sovereignty in guiding His people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:50, with its focus on a new generation being counted and prepared for an earthly inheritance, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The meticulous counting of Israel's tribes for their inheritance in Canaan foreshadows the spiritual inheritance prepared for God's people in Christ. Just as a new generation was raised up to enter the Promised Land after the failure of the old, so too, through Christ, a new humanity is born, not by physical descent but by spiritual rebirth, to inherit a heavenly kingdom. Jesus is the true "Lamb of God" who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), making possible this new covenant and a spiritual inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - Our Heavenly Inheritance")). He is the head of the true Israel, the church, a people "chosen... to be a holy nation, God’s special possession" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - The Priesthood of Believers")). The divine order and meticulous preparation seen in the census point to God's perfect plan of salvation, fully realized in Christ, who not only secures our eternal inheritance but also leads us into it, just as Joshua (whose name means "Yahweh is salvation," a linguistic parallel to Jesus) led Israel into Canaan. Through Him, we are counted among the redeemed, heirs according to the promise ([Galatians 3:29](/galatians/3-29 "Galatians 3:29 - Heirs According to the Promise")), part of an innumerable multitude from every tribe and nation, standing before the throne of God ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - The Multitude from Every Nation")).

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 2:29

Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali [shall be] Ahira the son of Enan.

Numbers 2:30

And his host, and those that were numbered of them, [were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred.

Numbers 1:42

Of the children of Naphtali, throughout 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 1:43

Those that were numbered of them, [even] of the tribe of Naphtali, [were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred.