Numbers 26:7

KJV

These [are] the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.

KJV (with Strong's)

These are the families {H4940} of the Reubenites {H7206}: and they that were numbered {H6485} of them were forty {H705} and three {H7969} thousand {H505} and seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} and thirty {H7970}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These were the the families of the Re'uveni; of them were counted 43,730.

Berean Standard Bible

These were the clans of Reuben, and their registration numbered 43,730.

American Standard Version

These are the families of the Reubenites; and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:7 meticulously records the census count for the tribe of Reuben, Jacob's firstborn, during Israel's second national numbering in the plains of Moab. This specific enumeration, part of a broader demographic survey, marks a critical generational transition, as the new generation, having survived the wilderness, stands poised to enter and inherit the Promised Land. It powerfully underscores God's divine order, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite human failure, and the preservation of crucial tribal identities essential for the future allocation of the land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:7 is situated within the comprehensive account of Israel's second census, conducted roughly 38 years after the initial numbering detailed in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel"). This pivotal census occurs in the plains of Moab, directly across the Jordan River from Jericho, serving as the final preparation before the nation's entry into Canaan. It immediately follows the severe judgment at Baal Peor recorded in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Sin at Baal Peor"), highlighting God's purification of His people before their inheritance. Unlike the first census, which organized Israel for their wilderness journey, this second numbering explicitly prepares them for the distribution of the land, as stated in [Numbers 26:53-56](/numbers/26-53-56 "Numbers 26:53-56 - Land Distribution Instructions"). The placement of Reuben's count first in the chapter reflects his traditional status as the firstborn son, setting the pattern for the subsequent tribal listings.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting in the plains of Moab was strategically significant, serving as the final encampment before the conquest of Canaan. Historically, this census primarily counts the generation that grew up during the forty years of wilderness wandering, a stark contrast to the rebellious generation that had largely perished, fulfilling God's judgment prophesied in [Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29-35 "Numbers 14:29-35 - The Fate of the Rebellious Generation"). In the ancient Near East, censuses were commonly undertaken for purposes of military conscription, taxation, or, most relevantly here, land allocation. For ancient Israel, tribal identity was foundational, determining lineage, inheritance rights, and social structure. The meticulous recording of families and their numbers, as seen in this verse, was crucial for ensuring an orderly and equitable division of the Promised Land according to established tribal boundaries and family lines, reflecting a deep cultural understanding of communal and familial identity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse, and indeed the entire chapter, powerfully articulates several core theological and narrative themes. The theme of **Divine Oversight and Order** is profoundly evident in the very act of the census, highlighting God's meticulous attention to every individual and family within Israel, demonstrating His sovereign organization of His people for His purposes. **Generational Transition** is a dominant motif, as this census definitively marks the passing of the wilderness generation and the rise of a new, purified generation prepared to inherit the promises. This transition is underscored by the often stark numerical differences for some tribes when compared to the first census in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"). Furthermore, the census testifies to **God's Enduring Faithfulness** to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob ([Genesis 12:2-3](/genesis/12-2-3 "Genesis 12:2-3 - God's Promise to Abraham and His Descendants")), preserving a numerous people despite their rebellion and the judgments they faced. Finally, the maintenance of **Tribal Identity and Continuity** is crucial, ensuring that despite decades of nomadic life and significant loss, the distinct tribal structures, including that of the Reubenites, remained intact for the future distribution of the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Families (Hebrew, _mishpâchâh'_):** This term (H4940) refers to the extended family units or clans within a tribe. Its inclusion here emphasizes that the census was not merely a raw count of individuals, but a meticulous accounting of the established social and genealogical structures within each tribe. This detail was critical for the subsequent division of the land, which was to be apportioned according to these family units ([Numbers 26:54](/numbers/26-54 "Numbers 26:54 - Land Distribution by Size")). It highlights the profound importance of lineage, communal identity, and the preservation of social order in ancient Israel.
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** While literally meaning "to count" or "to muster," the verb _pâqad_ (H6485) carries a much richer theological nuance than a mere statistical tally. It often implies a divine visitation or oversight, an act of God's purposeful attention, which can lead to either blessing or judgment. In this context, it signifies God's deliberate act of accounting for His people, not just for demographic purposes, but as an act of preparing them for the fulfillment of His covenant promises in the Promised Land. It implies divine knowledge, intention, and active involvement behind the numbering, underscoring God's sovereign control over His people's destiny.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [are] the families of the Reubenites:"** This introductory clause establishes the specific subject of the verse: the lineage and organizational structure of the tribe of Reuben. It emphasizes that the count is not just of individuals but of the established family units that constitute the tribe, reinforcing the importance of genealogical and social order within Israel. This familial focus was paramount for the future distribution of the land, which would be allocated to these specific family units.
* **"and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty."** This clause provides the precise numerical count for the tribe of Reuben. The figure of 43,730 represents the total number of males aged twenty years and upward, who were able to go to war ([Numbers 26:2](/numbers/26-2 "Numbers 26:2 - Census Instructions")). When compared to Reuben's count in the first census ([Numbers 1:21](/numbers/1-21 "Numbers 1:21 - Reuben's First Census Count"), which was 46,500), this shows a decrease of 2,770 individuals. This decline, while not as drastic as some other tribes, reflects the hardships, judgments (such as those at Baal Peor), and attrition faced by Israel during their wilderness journey, yet still testifies to God's preservation of a significant remnant, ensuring the tribe's continuity.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:7, as an integral part of a larger census account, primarily employs **Enumeration** and **Repetition**. The entire chapter is a systematic enumeration of each tribe's fighting men, meticulously listing their numbers. This detailed accounting serves to underscore God's orderliness, His sovereign knowledge of His people, and the precise fulfillment of His plans. The **Repetition** of the census itself (following [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel")) highlights a significant theological point: the old generation has passed away, and a new generation is prepared to inherit the land. The slight decrease in Reuben's numbers, a subtle form of **Contrast** when compared to the first census, serves as a quiet yet potent reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the severity of God's judgments in the wilderness, yet simultaneously emphasizes God's enduring faithfulness in preserving a numerous people. The precise numerical figures also lend an air of **Verisimilitude**, grounding the narrative in a sense of historical reality and divine meticulousness, reinforcing the trustworthiness of the account.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:7, though a seemingly mundane numerical entry, is rich with theological significance. It speaks profoundly to God's meticulous involvement in the details of His people's lives, demonstrating His sovereign control over history and demography. The census is not merely a human record but a divine act of accounting, signifying God's purposeful preparation of Israel for their inheritance. It underscores the themes of divine judgment and grace—judgment upon the rebellious wilderness generation, yet grace in preserving and numbering a new generation for the fulfillment of His covenant promises. The continuity of tribal identity, even after decades of wandering and significant losses, testifies to God's unwavering commitment to His plan for Israel, including the promised land distribution.

* [Numbers 1:21](/numbers/1-21 "Numbers 1:21 - Reuben's First Census Count")
* [Numbers 14:29](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29 - The Fate of the Rebellious Generation")
* [Numbers 33:54](/numbers/33-54 "Numbers 33:54 - Land Distribution by Lot and Family")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:7 serves as a powerful reminder that God is intimately involved in the grand sweep of history and the minute details of individual lives. Just as He meticulously numbered and organized the tribes of Israel, knowing each family and its place in His unfolding plan, so too does He know us, our circumstances, and our position within His divine purpose. This verse encourages us to trust in God's sovereign order, even when our lives or circumstances seem chaotic or marked by loss. It challenges us to consider our own place within the generational flow of faith—are we building upon the legacy of those who came before, and are we preparing the way for those who will follow? It reminds us that God's faithfulness endures through every transition, every wilderness season, and every challenge, ensuring that His ultimate purposes will prevail. Our task is to remain faithful to Him, knowing that He is faithfully numbering and guiding us toward our promised inheritance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the meticulous nature of God's census in Numbers 26:7 encourage your trust in His care for the details of your own life?**
* **Considering the generational transition evident in this census, what spiritual legacy are you receiving from those who came before you, and what legacy are you building for those who will come after?**
* **Despite the decrease in Reuben's numbers, God's plan for Israel continued. How does this illustrate God's faithfulness even in the face of human shortcomings or perceived setbacks?**

### FAQ
**Why is the census in Numbers 26, including the count for Reuben, so important?**

Answer: The census in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census of Israel") is critically important for several reasons. Firstly, it served as a demographic preparation for the conquest and division of the Promised Land, ensuring that the land could be allocated fairly and systematically according to tribal and family units ([Numbers 26:53-56](/numbers/26-53-56 "Numbers 26:53-56 - Land Distribution Instructions")). Secondly, it marked a profound generational transition, identifying the new generation that would enter Canaan, distinct from the rebellious generation that had perished in the wilderness ([Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29-35 "Numbers 14:29-35 - The Wilderness Generation's Fate")). Thirdly, it underscored God's enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, demonstrating that despite human failure and divine judgment, He preserved a numerous people to fulfill His purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:7, with its focus on a new generation poised for inheritance and God's faithful preservation amidst judgment, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The census of Israel, meticulously preparing a people for an earthly inheritance, foreshadows the spiritual numbering of God's true people—those redeemed by Christ—who are heirs of an eternal inheritance. Just as the old generation perished due to disobedience, so too does the Old Covenant, with its inability to bring life, pass away, making way for the [New Covenant inaugurated in Christ's blood](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant"). Jesus embodies the ultimate generational transition, ushering in a new humanity, a spiritual Israel, born not of flesh and blood but of the Spirit ([John 1:12-13](/john/1-12-13 "John 1:12-13 - Born of God")). He is the true firstborn, the [heir of all things](/hebrews/1-2 "Hebrews 1:2 - Christ, Heir of All Things"), through whom all believers receive their spiritual inheritance—not a physical land, but the kingdom of God and eternal life ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). Christ's meticulous knowledge of His own, the [Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd"), far surpasses any earthly census, ensuring that every one of His redeemed will receive their promised dwelling in the Father's house ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Many Rooms in My Father's House")).

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 2:11

And his host, and those that were numbered thereof, [were] forty and six thousand and five hundred.

Genesis 46:9

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

Numbers 26:1

¶ And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,

Numbers 26:21

And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.

Numbers 1:21

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