These are the clans of the Simeonites, 22,200.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse quietly reveals the devastating impact of the sins of Baal-peor, showing a drastic decrease in Simeon's numbers compared to the first census. The mention of Zimri, a prince of Simeon who led others into sin, strongly suggests his tribe bore the brunt of divine judgment for that specific rebellion.
These are the clans of the Simeonites, 22,200.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage is part of a census conducted after a devastating plague, prompted by God's command to Moses. It lists the families and their numbers within the tribe of Simeon, immediately following a recounting of the tribes of Reuben and the infamous Dathan and Abiram. This census serves as a stark contrast to the previous one at Sinai, highlighting God's judgment on those who sinned while also confirming His faithfulness in preserving the nation for their inheritance in the promised land.
Have you ever wondered why some groups in the Bible seem to shrink drastically? The tribe of Simeon experienced a staggering loss, and this census reveals the stark reality.
This second census in Numbers 26 shows a dramatic difference from the first one conducted at Mount Sinai (recorded in Numbers 1). The tribe of Simeon, which numbered 59,300 in the first census, is now down to just 22,200. This represents a loss of over 37,000 people, more than half their original number.
This massive decline wasn't accidental. The commentary points to a specific event: the sin of Baal-peor, where many Israelites engaged in idolatry and immorality with Moabite women. Zimri, a prince of the Simeonites, was a ringleader in this rebellion (Numbers 25). It's strongly suggested that a significant portion of the 24,000 who died in the plague associated with this sin were from Simeon, leading to their severe population drop.
While the numbers show a devastating loss, the story of Simeon also reminds us that God's judgment is often intertwined with His mercy.
The severe reduction in Simeon's numbers serves as a potent reminder of God's judgment against sin. The rebellion at Baal-peor, led by one of their own princes, brought divine wrath, and Simeon bore a heavy consequence.
However, even within judgment, God's faithfulness often remains. While Simeon suffered greatly, the tribe wasn't eradicated. They continued as a people, albeit a much smaller one. Furthermore, the context of Numbers 26 is a census after a plague, indicating that despite the losses, the people of Israel as a whole were preserved by God, fulfilling His promises to multiply them. This second census, showing a total number close to the first, highlights God's amazing grace in sustaining His people through severe trials and judgment.
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Understand the original words
Shim'own · Hebrew Noun
One of the twelve patriarchs of Israel, second son of Jacob and Leah, whose descendants formed one of the tribes of Israel; his name is often associated with themes of hearing or being heard.
The drastic reduction in Simeon's numbers, from over 59,000 in the first census to just over 22,000 in the second, is directly linked to the plague that followed the sin at Baal-peor, a sin in which Zimri, a prince of Simeon, was a prominent leader.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites depart from Egypt, beginning their 40-year wilderness journey.
c. 1446 BC
First Census at Sinai
The first census of Israelite men (age 20 and up) is taken at Mount Sinai, numbering 603,550.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Plague and Baal-Peor Incident
A plague sweeps through Israel following the incident at Baal-peor, where many Israelites sinned with Moabite women and worshipped their gods. Zimri, a prince of Simeon, is killed for his sin.
c. 1406 BC
Second Census
A second census is taken after the plague, showing a significant decrease in population, particularly in the tribe of Simeon.
c. 1406 BC
Moses' Blessing of the Tribes
Moses blesses the tribes of Israel before their entry into Canaan, notably omitting Simeon.
c. 1406 BC
Land Allotment Begins
The process of dividing the land of Canaan begins based on the census numbers.
This passage describes Zimri, a prince of Simeon, who was involved in the sin of Baal-Peor, a likely reason for the tribe's severe population decrease noted in Numbers 26.
Deuteronomy 33:7In Moses's final blessing before entering the Promised Land, Simeon is conspicuously absent, highlighting the tribe's diminished state and lack of divine favor at this time, which is reflected in their census numbers.
Joshua 19:1-9This describes the inheritance allotted to Simeon in Canaan, noting it was a portion carved out from Judah's territory. This small, residual inheritance aligns with the tribe's reduced numbers revealed in the census.
Exodus 6:15This verse lists the sons of Simeon, including one family (Ohad) that became extinct during the wilderness wanderings, contributing to the tribe's overall decline.
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…
ellicottNumbers 26:14: "These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred."
(14) Twenty and two thousand and two hundred.— This shows a decrease of 37,100 in the tribe of Simeon. Zimri, the chief offender in the matter of Baal-peor, belonged to this tribe, and, as in the case of the Reubenites, it is probable that he had led astray many of his tribe with him. It is remarkable that this is the only tribe on which, according to the present Hebrew text, [127] no blessing wa…
This verse quietly reveals the devastating impact of the sins of Baal-peor, showing a drastic decrease in Simeon's numbers compared to the first census. The mention of Zimri, a prince of Simeon who led others into sin, strongly suggests his tribe bore the brunt of divine judgment for that specific rebellion.
This passage is part of a census conducted after a devastating plague, prompted by God's command to Moses. It lists the families and their numbers within the tribe of Simeon, immediately following a recounting of the tribes of Reuben and the infamous Dathan and Abiram. This census serves as a stark contrast to the previous one at Sinai, highlighting God's judgment on those who sinned while also confirming His faithfulness in preserving the nation for their inheritance in the promised land.
This passage is part of a census conducted after a devastating plague, prompted by God's command to Moses. It lists the families and their numbers within the tribe of Simeon, immediately following a recounting of the tribes of Reuben and the infamous Dathan and Abiram. This census serves as a stark contrast to the previous one at Sinai, highlighting God's judgment on those who sinned while also confirming His faithfulness in preserving the nation for their inheritance in the promised land.
"These are the clans of the Simeonites, 22,200." — This verse quietly reveals the devastating impact of the sins of Baal-peor, showing a drastic decrease in Simeon's numbers compared to the first census. The mention of Zimri, a prince of Simeon who l…
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Last reviewed October 2026