Numbers 26:49 (KJV)

What does Numbers 26:49 mean?

Numbers 26:49 lists two families descended from the tribe of Naphtali: the Jezerites, from Jezer, and the Shillemites, from Shillem. This verse is part of a census, recording the clans within Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

In this section, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as God commands him to count the men from each tribe. The verse specifically names the family groups that came from Jezer and Shillem, showing the importance of genealogy and tribal identity in Israel’s history.

The Hebrew behind Numbers 26:49

• יֶצֶר (Yetser, "Jezer"): This is the name of an ancestor whose descendants formed the Jezerite clan. The name is preserved to show lineage within the tribe.
• מִשְׁפָּחָה (mishpachah, "family"): This word means "family" or "clan," highlighting the organizational structure of Israel by extended family groups.
• יֶצְרִי (Yitzri, "Jezerites"): This term refers to the descendants of Jezer, marking them as a distinct group within Naphtali.
• שִׁלֵּם (Shillem, "Shillem"): Another ancestor’s name, whose descendants are the Shillemites.
• שִׁלֵּמִי (Shillemi, "Shillemites"): This word identifies the clan descended from Shillem, again emphasizing the importance of family lines.

Why Numbers 26:49 matters

• Numbers 26:49 helps clarify the structure of Israelite society, showing how each tribe was divided into smaller family groups for organizational and inheritance purposes.
• By recording these names, the verse connects the people of Israel to their ancestors, reinforcing their shared identity and history as they prepare to settle in the land.
• This verse is part of a larger census that determines land allotment and military organization, making it a key detail in the practical life of ancient Israel.