Numbers 26:32 (KJV)

What does Numbers 26:32 mean?

Numbers 26:32 lists two family groups within the tribe of Manasseh: the descendants of Shemida, called the Shemidaites, and the descendants of Hepher, called the Hepherites. This verse is part of a census record, identifying the clans that make up the tribe.

Moses is recording the results of a census God commanded as the Israelites prepare to enter the Promised Land. Each family group within the tribe is named to show their place in Israel’s community and to help determine how the land will be divided among them.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 26:32

• שְׁמִידָע (Shemida, transliterated "Shemida"): This is a personal name, marking the ancestor of the Shemidaites. The verse uses this name to trace the family’s lineage.
• מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah, transliterated "family"): This word means "family" or "clan," highlighting the importance of extended family groups in Israel’s social structure.
• שְׁמִידָעִי (Shemidai, transliterated "Shemidaites"): This term refers to the descendants of Shemida, showing how Hebrew forms family names by adding a suffix.
• חֵפֶר (Hepher, transliterated "Hepher"): Another personal name, identifying the ancestor of the Hepherites.
• חֵפֶרִי (Hepheri, transliterated "Hepherites"): This is the family group descended from Hepher, again using a suffix to mark a clan’s identity.

Why Numbers 26:32 matters

• Numbers 26:32 helps clarify the organization of Israel’s tribes, showing how each clan is rooted in a specific ancestor, which was crucial for land inheritance and community roles.
• By naming these families, the verse connects to the broader census, which was not just a headcount but a way to preserve identity and fulfill God’s promises to the patriarchs.
• This verse also sets up later stories, such as the account of Zelophehad’s daughters (descendants of Hepher), showing how these family lists are woven into Israel’s ongoing history.