These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.

NUMBERS 26:35KJV
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Numbers 26:35 (KJV)

What does Numbers 26:35 mean?

Numbers 26:35 lists the descendants of Ephraim by their family groups, naming the sons Shuthelah, Becher, and Tahan, and identifying the clans that came from each son. This verse is part of a census that organizes the Israelite community by tribe and family as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

Moses is recording the results of a census commanded by God, specifically naming the families within the tribe of Ephraim. Each family group is traced back to a son of Ephraim, showing how the people were grouped and counted for inheritance and organization. This detailed listing helps establish the structure of the Israelite tribes and their future settlements.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 26:35

  • The word for "sons" is בֵּן (ben, H1121), which here refers to male descendants or family lines, not just immediate sons. This highlights the broader meaning of family in ancient Israel.
  • "Families" is מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah, H4940), meaning extended family or clan. This term shows that the census was organized by larger kinship groups, not just nuclear families.
  • The names "Shuthelah" (שֻׁתֶּלַח, Shuthelah, H7803), "Becher" (בֶּכֶר, Becher, H1071), and "Tahan" (תַּחַן, Tahan, H8465) are preserved as the founders of these family groups, emphasizing the importance of ancestry in Israelite identity.

Why Numbers 26:35 matters

  • This verse clarifies how the Israelites were organized by extended families, which was crucial for dividing land and responsibilities among the tribes.
  • The listing of specific family names connects the present generation to their ancestors, reinforcing the continuity of the people of Israel.
  • Understanding the structure of these clans helps make sense of later passages where land is allotted and leadership is assigned based on these family divisions.

Where else these words appear

“Tahan” Hebrew H8465 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 7:25 And Rephah was his son, also Resheph, and Telah his son, and Tahan his son,

“Shuthelah” Hebrew H7803 · used in 4 verses

  • Numbers 26:36 And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:20 And the sons of Ephraim; Shuthelah, and Bered his son, and Tahath his son, and Eladah his son, and Tahath his son,
  • 1 Chronicles 7:21 And Zabad his son, and Shuthelah his son, and Ezer, and Elead, whom the men of Gath that were born in that land slew, because they came down to take away their cattle.

“Becher” Hebrew H1071 · used in 4 verses

  • Genesis 46:21 And the sons of Benjamin were Belah, and Becher, and Ashbel, Gera, and Naaman, Ehi, and Rosh, Muppim, and Huppim, and Ard.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:6 The sons of Benjamin; Bela, and Becher, and Jediael, three.
  • 1 Chronicles 7:8 And the sons of Becher; Zemira, and Joash, and Eliezer, and Elioenai, and Omri, and Jerimoth, and Abiah, and Anathoth, and Alameth. All these are the sons of Becher.