Numbers 26:47 (KJV)

What does Numbers 26:47 mean?

Numbers 26:47 lists the families descended from Asher and states that, when counted, their total number was 53,400. This verse is part of a census record, showing the size of Asher’s tribe among the Israelites as they prepared to enter the promised land.

Moses is recording the results of a census commanded by God, taken while the Israelites are in the wilderness. The verse specifically focuses on the tribe of Asher, naming their families and reporting their total number. This census was important for organizing the community, assigning land, and preparing for future responsibilities.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 26:47

• "families" (מִשְׁפָּחוֹת, mishpachot): This word refers to extended family groups or clans within the tribe, highlighting the structure and organization of Israelite society.
• "numbered" (פָּקַד, paqad): This verb means to count, enroll, or muster, often used in military or organizational contexts. Here, it shows the careful, official nature of the census.
• The specific numbers ("fifty" חֲמִשִּׁים, chamishim; "three" שָׁלוֹשׁ, shalosh; "thousand" אֶלֶף, elef; "four" אַרְבַּע, arba; "hundred" מֵאָה, me’ah): These words make clear the exact size of Asher’s tribe, emphasizing accuracy and transparency in the record.

Why Numbers 26:47 matters

• Numbers 26:47 clarifies that the tribe of Asher was a significant part of Israel, with a specific, counted population, showing their role in the nation’s future.
• The verse’s careful listing of families and numbers highlights the importance of order and accountability in the community.
• This census connects to the broader narrative of Numbers 26, which records the new generation of Israelites after the wilderness wanderings, preparing them for their inheritance in the land.