Numbers 26:29 (KJV)

What does Numbers 26:29 mean?

Numbers 26:29 lists the descendants of Manasseh, focusing on Machir and his son Gilead, and notes that their families became known as the Machirites and Gileadites. This verse is part of a census, showing the family lines within the tribe of Manasseh as Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as God commands a new census of the people in the wilderness. The verse highlights the importance of family groups (or "clans") for organizing the tribes and dividing the land. By naming Machir and Gilead, Numbers 26:29 traces how specific families within Manasseh grew and became distinct groups, which would matter for inheritance and leadership.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 26:29

• "sons" (בְּנֵי, bənê): This word means "sons" or "descendants," emphasizing that the list is about family lineage, not just immediate children.
• "family" (מִשְׁפָּחָה, mishpachah): This term refers to a clan or extended family group, showing that the census is organized by these larger family units, not just individuals.
• "begat" (יָלַד, yalad): This verb means "to father" or "to give birth to," marking the generational link between Machir and Gilead and highlighting the importance of ancestry in Israelite society.

Why Numbers 26:29 matters

• Numbers 26:29 clarifies how the tribe of Manasseh was divided into sub-groups, which is important for understanding later passages about land distribution and leadership.
• The verse shows that Israelite identity was deeply tied to family and ancestry, not just to the twelve tribes as a whole.
• By tracing the line from Manasseh to Machir to Gilead, the verse connects later biblical stories about the Gileadites and their territory back to their origins.