Numbers 26:13 (KJV)

What does Numbers 26:13 mean?

Numbers 26:13 lists two family groups within the tribe of Simeon: the Zarhites, descended from Zerah, and the Shaulites, descended from Shaul. This verse is part of a census, recording the clans that made up the tribe as Israel prepared to enter the Promised Land.

In this section, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as he counts the people by their ancestral families. Each family group is traced back to a founding ancestor, showing the structure of the tribe. The verse helps establish the identity and organization of the people at a key moment in their history.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 26:13

• זֶרַח (Zerah): This is the personal name of one of Simeon's sons, meaning "brightness" or "shining." It marks the origin of the Zarhite clan.
• מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah; "family"): This word refers to a clan or extended family group, emphasizing the importance of family lines in Israel's organization.
• זַרְחִי (Zarhites): This is the clan name formed from Zerah, showing how family names became identifiers for large groups.
• שָׁאוּל (Shaul): Another son of Simeon, his name means "asked for" or "prayed for," and he is the ancestor of the Shaulites.
• שָׁאוּלִי (Shaulites): This is the clan name derived from Shaul, again showing the pattern of naming family groups after their ancestor.

Why Numbers 26:13 matters

• Numbers 26:13 clarifies the specific family lines within the tribe of Simeon, which is important for understanding later divisions of land and leadership roles.
• The verse shows how Israelite identity was closely tied to ancestry and clan, which shaped social structure and inheritance.
• By listing these clans, the text connects the present generation to their ancestors, reinforcing a sense of continuity and belonging as the people prepare for a new chapter in their history.