Numbers 26:48 (KJV)

What does Numbers 26:48 mean?

Numbers 26:48 lists two of the family groups descended from Naphtali, one of the sons of Jacob. The verse names the families of Jahzeel and Guni as part of the census of the tribe of Naphtali.

This verse is part of a larger census Moses is conducting among the Israelites in the wilderness, as God instructed. The census counts the different clans within each tribe, here focusing on Naphtali’s descendants. Each family group is named to show the organization and lineage of the tribe as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 26:48

• נַפְתָּלִי (Naphtali, naphtali): This is the name of one of Jacob’s twelve sons, whose descendants formed one of the tribes of Israel. The verse is specifically listing families within this tribe.
• יַחְצְאֵל (Jahzeel, yach-tze-el) and גּוּנִי (Guni, gooni): These are the names of two sons of Naphtali, whose descendants became the Jahzeelites and Gunites. The verse uses these names to identify distinct family lines within the tribe.
• מִשְׁפָּחוֹת (families, mishpachot): This word refers to extended family groups or clans. The census is organized by these family units, showing the structure and heritage of the tribe.

Why Numbers 26:48 matters

• Numbers 26:48 helps clarify how the Israelites kept careful records of their ancestry and tribal divisions, which was important for inheritance and leadership roles.
• The verse emphasizes the continuity of God’s promises to the descendants of Jacob, as each family line is preserved and counted.
• By listing specific families, the text connects the present generation to their ancestors, reinforcing their identity and unity as they prepare to settle in the land promised to them.