These are the sons of Benjamin according to their clans, and those listed were 45,600.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The text lists the sons of Benjamin and their numbers, but it's easy to miss that this enumeration is happening after a plague and in preparation for entering the Promised Land. This second census emphasizes God's faithfulness in preserving His people and ensuring their inheritance, despite past judgment.
These are the sons of Benjamin according to their clans, and those listed were 45,600.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage concludes the second census of Israel, taken after a devastating plague. Following the sin and judgment that plagued the people, God commanded Moses to recount the tribes, ensuring a fair distribution of the Promised Land based on their numbers. This final count for Benjamin concludes the extensive listing of all the tribes.
Why take a census right after a devastating plague? What does this reveal about God's faithfulness?
This census in Numbers 26 happens after a terrible plague swept through the Israelite camp. It's a stark reminder of God's judgment, especially in light of the rebellion at Baal Peor which led to so many deaths.
A Miraculous Renewal
It might seem strange to count the people after such a disaster. But this census wasn't just about numbers; it was a testament to God's faithfulness. Despite the massive loss of life, the total number of Israelites counted was remarkably close to the original number from the census taken at Mount Sinai decades earlier. This demonstrates God's power to preserve and renew His people, fulfilling His promise to Abraham to make his descendants as numerous as the stars.
Faithfulness Amidst Faithlessness
This renewal wasn't automatic. It required God's direct intervention and faithfulness. It shows that even when His people fail, God's covenant promises endure. The counting of Benjamin, a tribe descended from Jacob's son who was born out of sorrow and loss, highlights this theme of hope and continuation.
What does it mean for Benjamin to be listed by 'clans'? How does this specific numbering set them up for the future?
The census meticulously lists the sons of Benjamin according to their families or 'clans'. This detailed accounting isn't just for historical record-keeping; it's crucial for establishing their identity and inheritance in the Promised Land.
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Establishing Inheritance Rights
Before the land could be divided, a precise census was necessary. God Himself instructed Moses that the land would be distributed by lot, according to the numbers recorded for each tribe and family (Numbers 26:52-56). For Benjamin, with 45,600 people listed, this meant they had a claim to a specific portion of the land based on their size.
A Foundation for Future Roles
Even though Benjamin was one of the smaller tribes, this detailed listing secured their place within the nation of Israel. This organizational clarity would be vital in the centuries to come, especially during the turbulent periods of the Judges and the monarchy. It ensured that each tribe, including Benjamin, had a recognized identity and a defined role within God's people.
Understand the original words
ben · Hebrew Noun
The descendants or male offspring of an individual; in a tribal or national sense, it refers to the people groups descending from a common patriarch, forming the foundational identity of the tribes of Israel.
mishpachah · Hebrew Noun
A social or familial group descended from a common ancestor, often functioning as a military, administrative, or legal unit within the broader tribal structure of Israel.
paqad · Hebrew Verb (Passive Participle)
The act of registering, counting, or recording individuals, typically for the purpose of military service, taxation, or maintaining covenantal genealogy; implies God's oversight and care for every member of His people.
This second census, taken after a devastating plague, revealed remarkable divine faithfulness. Despite massive loss, the total number of Israelites remained nearly the same as the first census, a testament to God's promise to multiply their descendants even as they faced judgment.
c. 1440 BC
Wilderness Wanderings Begin
Following their exodus from Egypt, the Israelites begin their 40-year journey through the Sinai wilderness.
c. 1400 BC
First Census at Sinai
A census is taken of all males 20 years and older at Mount Sinai, establishing the initial tribal enrollments and land inheritance expectations.
c. 1360 BC
Divine Judgment and Plague
Disobedience and rebellion lead to a devastating plague among the Israelites, significantly reducing the population.
c. 1360 BC— this verse
Second Census Ordered
After the plague, God commands a new census to be taken to reassess the tribes and re-establish land inheritance portions for the new generation.
c. 1360 BC
Impending Conquest of Canaan
The census is completed as the Israelites prepare to enter and conquer the Promised Land of Canaan, with land divisions to be determined by lot.
This passage lists the descendants of Jacob who went into Egypt, providing a foundational understanding of the tribes from which these later census numbers originate.
Numbers 1:46This verse presents the total count of the tribe of Benjamin from an earlier census, offering a point of comparison to see how the tribe's numbers have changed after forty years in the wilderness.
Joshua 18:11-28This chapter details the inheritance allotted to the tribe of Benjamin, showing how the census numbers from Numbers 26 were used to determine land distribution in the Promised Land.
1 Samuel 9:1-2This passage introduces Saul, the first king of Israel, who was from the tribe of Benjamin, illustrating the continued significance of this tribe in Israel's history.
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…
pooleNumbers 26:41: "These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred."
No text from Poole on this verse.
The text lists the sons of Benjamin and their numbers, but it's easy to miss that this enumeration is happening after a plague and in preparation for entering the Promised Land. This second census emphasizes God's faithfulness in preserving His people and ensuring their inheritance, despite past judgment.
This passage concludes the second census of Israel, taken after a devastating plague. Following the sin and judgment that plagued the people, God commanded Moses to recount the tribes, ensuring a fair distribution of the Promised Land based on their numbers. This final count for Benjamin concludes the extensive listing of all the tribes.
This passage concludes the second census of Israel, taken after a devastating plague. Following the sin and judgment that plagued the people, God commanded Moses to recount the tribes, ensuring a fair distribution of the Promised Land based on their numbers. This final count for Benjamin concludes the extensive listing of all the tribes.
"These are the sons of Benjamin according to their clans, and those listed were 45,600." — The text lists the sons of Benjamin and their numbers, but it's easy to miss that this enumeration is happening after a plague and in preparation for entering the Promised Land. This second census…
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Last reviewed October 2026