Numbers 26:43

Numbers 26:43 (KJV) is a specific verse within the second census of Israel, detailing the numerical strength of one of the families within the tribe of Dan. It states, "All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, [were] threescore and four thousand and four hundred."

Context of Numbers 26:43

This verse is part of the extensive census recorded in Numbers chapter 26, which took place on the plains of Moab, just before the Israelites were to enter the promised land of Canaan. This was the second major census of the Israelite men twenty years old and upward, able to go to war, the first having been conducted at Mount Sinai at the beginning of their wilderness journey (see Numbers 1:1-3). The primary purpose of this second count was not only to assess military strength but crucially, to prepare for the equitable division of the land of Canaan among the tribes and families, as explicitly stated in Numbers 26:52-56. The Shuhamites were a significant family within the tribe of Dan, descended from Shuham, one of Dan's sons (Numbers 26:42).

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Order and Meticulousness: The detailed enumeration of each family, down to specific numbers like the 64,400 Shuhamites, highlights God's meticulous attention to detail and His divine order in organizing His people. This precision underscores the divine oversight in Israel's preparation for nationhood and inheritance.
• God's Faithfulness and Preservation: Despite the previous generation's rebellion and subsequent judgment in the wilderness (leading to their demise, as recounted in Numbers 14:29-35), this census demonstrates God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. A new generation stands ready to inherit the land, proving that God's plan for His people endures.
• Preparation for Inheritance: The very act of numbering was a direct precursor to the fulfillment of God's ancient promise to Abraham regarding the land (e.g., Genesis 12:7). Each number represented a household that would receive a portion of the promised inheritance.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Shuham" (שׁוּחָם, Shucham) is derived from a root that can mean "to sink down" or "to dig a pit," sometimes implying a sense of humiliation or lowliness. While the exact significance of the name for this family's history isn't explicitly stated, it's a reminder that even families with humble or challenging origins are meticulously counted and valued within God's comprehensive plan. The KJV's "threescore and four thousand and four hundred" is a straightforward translation of the Hebrew numerical expression, emphasizing precise counting.

Significance and Practical Application

While seemingly a dry list of numbers, Numbers 26:43, like the rest of the census, carries profound significance. It reminds us that God is deeply invested in the details of His people's lives and their future. For believers today, this verse can affirm:

• God's Attentiveness: No detail of our lives, or the collective body of believers, is insignificant to God. He knows us intimately and orchestrates events according to His perfect plan.
• The Assurance of God's Promises: Just as God faithfully brought Israel into the promised land, He remains faithful to His promises to us. Our inheritance, whether spiritual blessings or future glory, is secure in Him (see Ephesians 1:11).
• The Value of Every Individual: Every family and individual counted in the census mattered for the whole. Similarly, every member of God's spiritual household today is valued and has a place in His grand design.