The sons of Simeon according to their clans: of Nemuel, the clan of the Nemuelites; of Jamin, the clan of the Jaminites; of Jachin, the clan of the Jachinites;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse, nestled within the census following a devastating plague, highlights a subtle but crucial detail: names can shift. The variations in names for Simeon's descendants (Nemuel instead of Jemuel, Jachin possibly being Jarib) aren't just scribal errors, but perhaps point to how families and their identities could evolve, or how God's faithfulness transcends minor name changes to preserve His people.
The sons of Simeon according to their clans: of Nemuel, the clan of the Nemuelites; of Jamin, the clan of the Jaminites; of Jachin, the clan of the Jachinites;
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter marks a second census of Israel, taken after a devastating plague had swept through the nation due to their sin at Baal-peor. Moses and Eleazar are commanded by God to count the people again, tribe by tribe, to determine land inheritance in the Promised Land, highlighting both God's judgment and His faithfulness to preserve His people. The tribe of Simeon, noted for its significant losses from the plague, is enumerated here, showing its reorganized family structure.
Why does this census feel so different for Simeon? The numbers tell a story of severe loss, pointing to a past sin that had drastic consequences.
This passage, Numbers 26:12, lists the clans of Simeon. While it seems like a simple genealogical record, it follows a devastating plague mentioned in the previous chapter (Numbers 25). This plague was a direct result of the Israelites' participation in the idolatry and sexual immorality associated with the Moabites and their gods (Baal-peor). Many commentators suggest that the tribe of Simeon was particularly implicated in this sin, leading to a drastic reduction in their numbers. This census, therefore, isn't just about counting heads; it's a somber reminder of God's justice and the severe consequences of unfaithfulness.
Despite the heavy losses, the tribe of Simeon continues. How does God ensure the continuation of His people, even through reduced lines?
Even after a catastrophic loss, the identity of the tribe of Simeon is preserved through its family lines: Nemuelites, Jaminites, and Jachinites. The census in Numbers 26 serves to re-establish and organize the people for the future, particularly for inheriting the Promised Land. While the number of Simeonites was significantly lower than at the Sinai census (a decrease of 37,100 according to some estimates), their lineage was not erased. This highlights God's faithfulness in preserving His people, even when they falter. The listing of these specific families, derived from the sons of Simeon, shows that God continues to work through the structures He established, ensuring continuity and identity.
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Understand the original words
mishpachah · Hebrew Noun
A collective group of families descended from a common ancestor, often serving as a structural unit for military organization, census, and land inheritance within the tribes of Israel.
This second census in Numbers 26 is taken after the devastating plague from the sin at Baal-Peor. The significant drop in Simeon's numbers compared to the first census highlights God's judgment on sin, but also His faithfulness in preserving Israel as a people, ready to inherit the promised land.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites depart from Egypt, beginning their journey to the Promised Land. A census is taken shortly after leaving Egypt, as recorded in Numbers 1.
c. 1445 BC
Census at Sinai
The first census of Israel is taken in the wilderness of Sinai, listing the number of men able to go to war. The generation that came out of Egypt is numbered here.
c. 1444 BC— this verse
The Sin at Baal-Peor
Many Israelites commit idolatry and sexual immorality with Moabite women, leading to a devastating plague that wipes out thousands. This event directly precedes the census in Numbers 26.
c. 1406 BC
Second Census and Land Allotment
A second census is taken in the plains of Moab, just before entering Canaan. This census is used to determine the size of each tribe's inheritance in the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Led by Joshua, the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin their military campaign to conquer the land of Canaan.
This passage describes the sin of Baal-Peor and the subsequent plague that greatly reduced the Israelite population, providing the context for the census in Numbers 26 and explaining the significant decrease in Simeon's numbers.
Genesis 46:10This verse lists Simeon's sons, providing a direct parallel to the names mentioned in Numbers 26:12, though with slight variations like 'Jemuel' instead of 'Nemuel', highlighting the consistent recording of tribal lineages across different biblical accounts.
1 Chronicles 4:24-27This passage also lists the descendants of Simeon, offering another perspective and slightly different names (e.g., 'Jarib' for 'Jachin'), reinforcing the importance of these family lines within Israel's history and the continuity of their lineage.
Joshua 19:1-9This chapter details the territory allocated to the tribe of Simeon within the promised land, showing how these established family clans, as listed in the census, were the basis for land inheritance.
Exodus 6:15Similar to Genesis, this verse provides another listing of Simeon's sons, establishing the foundational genealogies that are later meticulously recounted in the census of Numbers 26.
gillNumbers 26:12: "The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:"
The sons of Simeon, after their families,.... This tribe was next numbered, not only because Simeon was next to Reuben by birth, but because his tribe was under the standard of Reuben; two of his sons are a little differently named here than they are in Genesis 46:10 , there the eldest is called Jemuel, here Nemuel; th…
calvinNumbers 26:1-65: "And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,"
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the Lord:
Filii autem Eliab, Nebuel, Dathan et Abiron: isti sunt Dathan et Abiron majores synagogae qui rixati sunt contra Mosen et…
This verse, nestled within the census following a devastating plague, highlights a subtle but crucial detail: names can shift. The variations in names for Simeon's descendants (Nemuel instead of Jemuel, Jachin possibly being Jarib) aren't just scribal errors, but perhaps point to how families and their identities could evolve, or how God's faithfulness transcends minor name changes to preserve His people.
This chapter marks a second census of Israel, taken after a devastating plague had swept through the nation due to their sin at Baal-peor. Moses and Eleazar are commanded by God to count the people again, tribe by tribe, to determine land inheritance in the Promised Land, highlighting both God's judgment and His faithfulness to preserve His people. The tribe of Simeon, noted for its significant losses from the plague, is enumerated here, showing its reorganized family structure.
This chapter marks a second census of Israel, taken after a devastating plague had swept through the nation due to their sin at Baal-peor. Moses and Eleazar are commanded by God to count the people again, tribe by tribe, to determine land inheritance in the Promised Land, highlighting both God's judgment and His faithfulness to preserve His people. The tribe of Simeon, noted for its significant losses from the plague, is enumerated here, showing its reorganized family structure.
"The sons of Simeon according to their clans: of Nemuel, the clan of the Nemuelites; of Jamin, the clan of the Jaminites; of Jachin, the clan of the Jachinites;" — This verse, nestled within the census following a devastating plague, highlights a subtle but crucial detail: names can shift. The variations in names for Simeon's descendants (Nemuel instead of Jemu…
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Last reviewed October 2026