Numbers 26:47

Numbers 26:47 KJV provides a specific population count for one of the twelve tribes of Israel, the tribe of Asher, during the second census taken in the wilderness. This verse states that the families descended from Asher totaled fifty-three thousand and four hundred men, aged twenty years and upward, capable of going to war.

Context

This verse is part of Numbers chapter 26, which records the second comprehensive census of the Israelites. This enumeration took place on the plains of Moab, at the end of the forty years of wilderness wandering, just before the nation was poised to enter the Promised Land. This census was crucial for several reasons:

• It marked a transition from the generation that left Egypt, many of whom had died in the wilderness due to disobedience (as seen in Numbers 14:29), to the new generation ready to inherit the land.
• It was directly linked to the distribution of the land, as the inheritance was to be divided among the tribes and families according to their numbers (Numbers 26:52-56).
• It followed a severe plague detailed in Numbers chapter 25, highlighting God's preservation of His people despite judgment.

Key Themes

• Divine Faithfulness and Preservation: Despite the trials, rebellions, and plagues in the wilderness, God faithfully preserved the nation of Israel. The detailed counts demonstrate His meticulous care and the miraculous survival and growth of the tribes.
• Generational Transition: This census starkly contrasts with the first census recorded in Numbers chapter 1. Asher's count in the first census was 41,500. The increase to 53,400 signifies growth for this particular tribe, reflecting God's blessing and the emergence of a new, larger generation ready for the conquest.
• Order and Organization: The precise enumeration of each tribe underscores God's desire for order and structure within His covenant people, essential for their future settlement and governance in Canaan.
• Preparation for Inheritance: The primary practical purpose of this census was to prepare for the equitable distribution of the Promised Land among the families and tribes, fulfilling God's ancient promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:7).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV accurately translates the Hebrew text here. There are no complex linguistic nuances in this verse beyond the straightforward numerical count. The precision of the numbers, however, highlights the factual and historical nature of the biblical record, emphasizing the meticulousness with which these details were recorded and preserved.

Significance and Application

Numbers 26:47, like other verses in this chapter, reminds us of several timeless truths:

• God's Attention to Detail: Even in what might seem like mundane statistics, God's hand is evident. He cares about the individual and the collective, ensuring that His plans are executed with precision.
• The Fulfillment of Promises: The very existence and growth of the tribes, despite their challenging journey, is a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, including the promise of land and nationhood.
• Generational Responsibility: The new generation stood on the precipice of a great inheritance, having learned (or having seen the consequences of disobedience from) the previous generation's failures. It calls us to consider our own responsibility in carrying forward God's purposes in our time.
• God's Preservation of His People: Throughout history, God has preserved His people, sometimes against overwhelming odds. This verse is a small but significant detail in the grand narrative of God's enduring faithfulness to those who are His.