Numbers 26:42 (KJV)

What does Numbers 26:42 mean?

Numbers 26:42 lists the descendants of Dan by their families, specifically naming Shuham and identifying his family group, the Shuhamites. The verse summarizes the family divisions within the tribe of Dan as recorded during a census of the Israelites.

This verse is part of a larger census Moses is conducting in the wilderness, counting the men of each tribe as Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land. Here, the focus is on the tribe of Dan, and the verse notes that all the families within Dan trace their lineage through Shuham, making the Shuhamites the sole family group of Dan at this point in Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 26:42

• "sons" (בְּנֵי, b'nei): This word refers to descendants or offspring, emphasizing the genealogical line from Dan.
• "families" (מִשְׁפְּחוֹת, mishpachot): This term means extended family groups or clans, which were important for organization and inheritance in ancient Israel.
• "Shuham" (שׁוּחָם, Shuham) and "Shuhamites" (שׁוּחָמִי, Shuhami): These identify the specific ancestor and his descendants, showing that all of Dan’s families came from this one line.

Why Numbers 26:42 matters

• Numbers 26:42 clarifies that the tribe of Dan had only one major family group at the time of the census, which is unusual compared to other tribes with multiple clans.
• This verse helps trace the lineage and organizational structure of the tribe of Dan, which is important for understanding later divisions of land and leadership roles.
• The focus on family groups throughout Numbers 26 highlights the importance of ancestry and tribal identity in Israel’s community life and future inheritance.