Numbers 26:20 (KJV)

What does Numbers 26:20 mean?

Numbers 26:20 lists the descendants of Judah by their family groups, naming the families that came from his sons Shelah, Pharez, and Zerah. This verse is part of a census, showing how the tribe of Judah was organized into these specific family lines.

In this part of the book of Numbers, Moses is recording the results of a census of the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. The verse focuses on Judah’s descendants, breaking them down into families named after Judah’s sons. This helps show the structure and heritage within the tribe, which was important for dividing land and responsibilities among the people.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 26:20

• יְהוּדָה (Yehudah, "Judah"): This is the name of one of Jacob’s sons, whose descendants formed one of the main tribes of Israel. The verse centers on the families within this tribe.
• מִשְׁפָּחוֹת (mishpachot, "families"): This word refers to extended family groups or clans, highlighting how the tribe was organized by ancestry.
• שֵׁלָה (Shelah), פֶּרֶץ (Peretz, "Pharez"), and זֶרַח (Zerach, "Zerah"): These are the names of Judah’s sons, and each became the ancestor of a distinct family group within the tribe.
• שֵׁלָנִי (Shelani, "Shelanites"), פַּרְצִי (Partzi, "Pharzites"), and זַרְחִי (Zarchi, "Zarhites"): These are the family names formed from the sons’ names, showing how each branch of Judah’s descendants was identified.

Why Numbers 26:20 matters

• Numbers 26:20 clarifies how the tribe of Judah was divided into specific family lines, which was essential for organizing the community and assigning land later on.
• The verse connects the present generation to their ancestors, reinforcing the importance of family heritage and continuity in Israel’s identity.
• This listing helps readers understand later biblical references to these families and why certain groups within Judah are mentioned separately in other passages.