Numbers 26:7

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

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}.

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

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

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

Numbers 26:7 is part of the second census of the Israelite tribes, taken approximately 38 years after the first census recorded in Numbers chapter 1. This verse specifically details the count for the tribe of Reuben, the firstborn son of Jacob (Israel).

Context

This census, conducted in the plains of Moab before Israel entered the Promised Land, served several critical purposes. It was a demographic accounting of the new generation, those who had grown up during the wilderness wanderings and were now ready to inherit the land. Unlike the first census which prepared the nation for their journey from Sinai, this second numbering prepared them for the conquest and division of Canaan. It also underscored God's faithfulness in preserving His people, despite the fact that the entire previous generation, except for Joshua and Caleb, had perished due to their disobedience (Numbers 14:29).

The tribe of Reuben's count in this second census was 43,730. When compared to their count in the first census, which was 46,500 (Numbers 1:21), it shows a slight decrease in population, reflecting the challenges and judgments faced during the wilderness journey.

Key Themes

  • Divine Oversight and Order: The very act of conducting a census, twice, highlights God's meticulous attention to detail and His sovereign organization of His people. It demonstrates that every individual and family within Israel was known to Him.
  • Generational Transition: This verse, along with the rest of Numbers 26, powerfully illustrates the passing of one generation and the rise of another. It signifies a new beginning for Israel, purged of the rebellion that characterized their parents.
  • God's Enduring Faithfulness: Despite the failures and judgments of the previous generation, God remained faithful to His covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, preserving a numerous people to inherit the land (Genesis 12:2). The continued existence and numbering of the tribes attest to His steadfastness.
  • Tribal Identity and Continuity: Even after decades of nomadic life and significant loss, the distinct tribal identities, including that of the Reubenites, were maintained, ensuring the future distribution of the land according to tribal inheritance.

Linguistic Insight

The Hebrew word for "numbered" (paqad - ืคึธึผืงึทื“) often carries a deeper meaning than simply counting. It implies an act of visitation, oversight, or divine accounting, often with an underlying purpose or consequence. In this context, it signifies God's purposeful census of His people, not just for statistics, but for the fulfillment of His plans for them in the Promised Land.

Practical Application

Numbers 26:7, while seemingly a dry list of numbers, reminds us of profound spiritual truths. It teaches us about God's meticulous care for His people, His faithfulness through generations, and His ability to bring His plans to fruition despite human shortcomings and delays. Just as He knew and numbered every Israelite, He knows every detail of our lives. It encourages us to trust in His divine order and His unfailing promises, knowing that His purposes will ultimately prevail, even through challenging transitions and wilderness seasons in our own lives.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 2:11 (2 votes)

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

  • Genesis 46:9 (2 votes)

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

  • Numbers 26:1 (2 votes)

    ยถ 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 (2 votes)

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

  • Numbers 1:21 (2 votes)

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