Numbers 26:35-37
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While this verse lists names, it's easy to miss that it’s not just about tracing lineage but about how God organized His people for inheritance. Each family listed here, descended from Ephraim, would receive a portion of the promised land based on their numbered strength, showing God's precise and ordered care even in the details of His covenant.
These are the sons of Ephraim according to their clans: of Shuthelah, the clan of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the clan of the Becherites; of Tahan, the clan of the Tahanites. And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the clan of the Eranites. These are the clans of the sons of Ephraim as they were listed, 32,500. These are the sons of Joseph according to their clans.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter follows a devastating plague that struck the Israelites, prompting God to command a new census. Moses and Eleazar meticulously record the families and their numbers for each tribe, except for the Levites, setting the stage for dividing the Promised Land according to these counts. The listing of Ephraim's descendants in this verse occurs after the recounting of Manasseh's lineage, continuing the systematic enumeration of the Joseph tribes before moving on to others.
Ever feel like your family history is just a list of names? This passage dives deep into genealogies. What's the big deal?
The book of Numbers is full of censuses and lists. This verse is part of a significant census taken after the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years. It's not just about counting heads; it's about God's faithfulness to His promises, even through generations.
Generations Matter
This list of Ephraim's descendants isn't random. It traces the lineage, showing how God's people continued to grow and multiply, fulfilling His promises to Abraham. Each name represents a continuation of His covenant people, moving them closer to inheriting the promised land.
The Israelites had just experienced God's judgment in the wilderness. How does this census reveal God's character?
This census in Numbers 26 happens after a period of significant loss due to sin and rebellion. Yet, the numbers show that God's people not only survived but were numerous enough to inherit the land.
Grace After Judgment
While some commentaries mention a decrease in the tribe of Ephraim's numbers from a previous census, the overall picture is one of God's sustaining grace. Even after severe judgment, like the plague that killed 24,000 (mentioned in the wider context of Numbers 25), God ensured His people continued. He remembered His covenant promises to Abraham and sustained their lineage.
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Understand the original words
ben · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to male descendants of a common ancestor; in the context of the tribes of Israel, it denotes lineage, identity, and inheritance rights within the covenant community.
mishpachah · Hebrew Noun
A social or familial group descended from a common ancestor; in Numbers, these represent the primary sub-units of the tribes of Israel used for organizing the census, military service, and land allotment.
Ephrayim · Hebrew Noun
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the son of Jacob and Rachel; characterized in Scripture as a warrior tribe, often central to the history of the early monarchy.
paqad · Hebrew Verb
The name given to the organized body of people, often used in the context of official numbering or registration for administrative, military, or religious purposes.
Yoseph · Hebrew Noun
The son of Jacob and Rachel, whose life in Egypt and role as the provider for his family established the legal basis for his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, to be numbered as tribal heads.
This detailed census, taken near the end of their 40-year wilderness journey, highlights God's faithfulness in preserving and multiplying His people, even after severe judgment, ensuring they were a strong nation ready to possess the promised land.
c. 1446 BC
Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites leave Egypt after centuries of slavery, beginning their journey to the Promised Land. This event marks the beginning of the census-taking tradition.
c. 1445 BC
First Census at Sinai
The first census is taken in the wilderness of Sinai shortly after the Exodus. This census is used to establish the tribal structure and divisions of Israel for the Promised Land.
c. 1445 BC - 1405 BC
Forty Years in the Wilderness
The Israelites wander in the wilderness for 40 years due to their disobedience. During this time, the generation that came out of Egypt, except for Caleb and Joshua, dies off.
c. 1405 BC
Plague and Rebellion Aftermath
A plague sweeps through the Israelite camp, following a period of significant sin and rebellion, such as the incident involving Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. This event directly leads to the need for a new census.
c. 1405 BC— this verse
Second Census Ordered
Following the plague, God commands Moses and Eleazar to take a second census of the people on the plains of Moab, near the Jordan River. This census is meant to assess the new generation that will inherit the land.
This passage directly names the sons of Ephraim, mirroring the genealogical focus of Numbers 26 and highlighting the foundational lineage of the tribe.
1 Chronicles 7:20-21This chapter provides an alternative genealogy for Ephraim's descendants, mentioning some of the same names and offering a different perspective on the tribe's lineage and significant individuals.
Joshua 16:1-10This passage details the inheritance and boundaries of the tribe of Ephraim, showing how the descendants listed in Numbers 26 were allocated their land in the Promised Land.
Numbers 1:32-33This earlier census of Ephraim shows a significantly larger number, illustrating the dramatic population decrease by the time of the census in Numbers 26, likely due to the judgment in the wilderness.
gillNumbers 26:35: "These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites."
These are the sons of Ephrain, after their families,.... Which were but three, the Shuthalhite, the Bachrite, and the Tahanite, only from the former sprung another family, called the Eranite; the number of the whole was 32,500; there was a decrease in this tribe of 8000.
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…
While this verse lists names, it's easy to miss that it’s not just about tracing lineage but about how God organized His people for inheritance. Each family listed here, descended from Ephraim, would receive a portion of the promised land based on their numbered strength, showing God's precise and ordered care even in the details of His covenant.
This chapter follows a devastating plague that struck the Israelites, prompting God to command a new census. Moses and Eleazar meticulously record the families and their numbers for each tribe, except for the Levites, setting the stage for dividing the Promised Land according to these counts. The listing of Ephraim's descendants in this verse occurs after the recounting of Manasseh's lineage, continuing the systematic enumeration of the Joseph tribes before moving on to others.
This chapter follows a devastating plague that struck the Israelites, prompting God to command a new census. Moses and Eleazar meticulously record the families and their numbers for each tribe, except for the Levites, setting the stage for dividing the Promised Land according to these counts. The listing of Ephraim's descendants in this verse occurs after the recounting of Manasseh's lineage, continuing the systematic enumeration of the Joseph tribes before moving on to others.
"These are the sons of Ephraim according to their clans: of Shuthelah, the clan of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the clan of the Becherites; of Tahan, the clan of the Tahanites. And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the clan of the…" — While this verse lists names, it's easy to miss that it’s not just about tracing lineage but about how God organized His people for inheritance. Each family listed here, descended from Ephraim, would…
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Last reviewed October 2026
