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 records the census count for the tribe of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob, during the second national numbering of Israel conducted in the plains of Moab. This verse, part of a comprehensive demographic survey, signifies a pivotal generational transition as the new generation, having survived the wilderness wanderings, prepares to enter and inherit the Promised Land. It underscores God's meticulous order, His enduring faithfulness to His covenant promises despite human failure, and the preservation of tribal identity essential for the future allocation of land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:7 is embedded within the detailed account of Israel's second census, taken approximately 38 years after the first census recorded in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census of Israel"). This numbering occurs in the plains of Moab, on the cusp of Israel's entry into Canaan, immediately following the devastating judgment at Baal Peor ([Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Sin at Baal Peor")). Unlike the first census, which prepared the nation for their journey from Sinai, this second census serves as a foundational act for the distribution of the land, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 26:53-56](/numbers/26-53 "Numbers 26:53-56 - Land Distribution by Size and Lot"). The placement of Reuben's count first reflects his status as the firstborn, setting the pattern for the subsequent tribal listings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The census takes place in the plains of Moab, strategically located across the Jordan River from Jericho, serving as the final staging ground before the conquest of Canaan. Historically, this generation represents those who grew up during the forty years of wilderness wandering, distinct from the rebellious generation that perished, as prophesied in [Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "Numbers 14:29-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation"). Culturally, censuses in the ancient Near East were often conducted for military conscription, taxation, or land allocation, all of which are relevant here. For Israel, tribal identity was paramount, defining lineage, inheritance, and social structure. The meticulous recording of families and their numbers ensured that the future division of the land would be orderly and equitable according to established tribal boundaries and family lines.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, and the chapter it belongs to, powerfully articulates several core themes. The theme of **Divine Oversight and Order** is 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 marks the definitive passing of the wilderness generation and the rise of a new, purified generation ready to inherit the promises. This transition is underscored by the stark contrast in numbers for some tribes compared to [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 "Genesis 12:2-3 - God's Promise to Abraham")), 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, _mishpachot'_):** This term refers to the extended family units or clans within a tribe. Its inclusion here emphasizes that the census was not just 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 importance of lineage and communal identity in ancient Israel.
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _paqad'_):** While literally meaning "to count" or "to muster," the verb _paqad_ 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 and intention behind the numbering.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [are] the families of the Reubenites:"** This introductory clause establishes the 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.
* **"and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty."** This clause provides the specific numerical count for the tribe of Reuben. The precise figure of 43,730 represents the total number of males aged twenty years and upward, 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, and attrition faced by Israel during their wilderness journey, yet still testifies to God's preservation of a significant remnant.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:7, as 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 and His sovereign knowledge of His people. The **Repetition** of the census itself (following Numbers 1) 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 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.

### 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 "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 "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, 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 "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 "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.