Numbers 26 31

Numbers 26:31

ESV: and of Asriel, the clan of the Asrielites; and of Shechem, the clan of the Shechemites;

KJV: And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:

NIV: through Asriel, the Asrielite clan; through Shechem, the Shechemite clan;

NKJV: of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites;

NLT: The Asrielites, named after their ancestor Asriel.
The Shechemites, named after their ancestor Shechem.

Meaning

Numbers 26:31 is part of the second census of the Israelite population taken on the plains of Moab, specifically detailing the registered families within the tribe of Manasseh. This verse records two such clans descending from Gilead, Manasseh's son: the family of the Asrielites, originating from Asriel, and the family of the Shechemites, originating from Shechem. This meticulous listing signifies divine order, preparedness for inheriting the Promised Land, and the fulfillment of God's covenant promises to provide land according to tribal and clan divisions, emphasizing accountability and the importance of each generational unit.

Cross References

Context

Numbers chapter 26 records the second comprehensive census of the Israelites, conducted on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River, before their entry into Canaan. This census follows the catastrophic plague that struck Israel due to their idolatry and immorality with the Moabites (Num 25). It serves as a stark contrast to the first census taken at Mount Sinai (Num 1), revealing that almost the entire generation of adult males from the Exodus, those who were counted in the first census and subsequently disbelieved God and rebelled in the wilderness, had perished (Num 26:64-65). This new census lists a new generation of fighting men, preparing them for the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land. The primary purpose of this meticulous enumeration by families and clans, as explicitly stated in verses 53-55, was to establish the basis for distributing the land as an inheritance, with the size of a tribe's inheritance correlating with its number of registered men. The detailed list, including the two specific families in verse 31, underscores God's commitment to orderly inheritance and His faithfulness in preserving a covenant people who would possess the land He promised to their ancestors.

Word analysis

• and of Asriel: Hebrew: וּלְאַשְׂרִיאֵל (u'l'ashri'el). The prefixed "u'" means "and" or "then." Asriel (אַשְׂרִיאֵל) is a proper name, identified as a son of Gilead, who was a son of Manasseh (1 Chr 7:14). The name might be interpreted as "God is prince" or "God binds" (referring to strength/dominion). The emphasis here is on lineage, tying a significant family directly to an ancestor in the tribal line. This isn't merely a count; it's a family registration with historical depth.
• the family: Hebrew: מִשְׁפַּחַת (mishpachat). This noun denotes a "family," "clan," "kindred," or "sub-tribe." It is a fundamental unit of Israelite society, larger than a household but smaller than a full tribe (שֵׁבֶט, shevet). In the context of the census and land division, the "family" or clan was the crucial intermediate grouping. Land inheritance was primarily distributed among these mishpachot based on their registered males. Its inclusion underscores the highly structured and decentralized system for distributing land and resources, reinforcing the social and religious identity tied to kin.
• of the Asrielites: Hebrew: הָאַשְׂרִיאֵלִי (ha'ashri'eli). The definite article "ha-" (the) coupled with the suffix "-i" (masculine singular adjectival form, often denoting origin or affiliation) means "the (ones) of Asriel," forming the gentile name for the clan. This specifies the lineage and identifies the members of that mishpachat. It highlights collective identity stemming from a common ancestor, crucial for societal structure, military organization, and ultimately, territorial possession.
• and of Shechem: Hebrew: וּלְשֶׁכֶם (u'l'shechem). Again, "u'" for "and." Shechem (שֶׁכֶם) is also a proper name, a son of Gilead (like Asriel) and thus a grandson of Manasseh. The name means "shoulder" or "back," often associated with strength or burden-bearing. This name is notably also the name of an important city in Canaan (e.g., Gen 34:2). In this verse, however, it refers to a person, founding another distinct clan within Manasseh. The dual meaning potentially hints at the future territorial claims associated with such prominent family names.
• the family: Hebrew: מִשְׁפַּחַת (mishpachat). See analysis above. Its repetition emphasizes that both Asriel and Shechem, as distinct figures, formed independent, counted clans under Gilead. This structural parallel demonstrates a consistent method of genealogical recording.
• of the Shechemites: Hebrew: הַשִּׁכְמִי (ha'shichmi). Formed similarly to "Asrielites," with "ha-" and "-i" to denote "the (ones) of Shechem." This formalizes the clan identity, indicating the precise group being enumerated. This consistent naming convention across the census highlights the robust system of identification and organization for the vast number of Israelites.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "and of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites;": This clause specifies the first named clan descended from Gilead. The parallel structure of "proper name, the family of the related gentile name" is consistent throughout Numbers 26 for identifying specific family units (mishpachot). It underlines the Israelite social structure where family ties (ancestral names) were the basis for societal organization, land ownership, and even military divisions. This reflects God's meticulous care for His people's order.
• "and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites;": This repeats the pattern, introducing a second, distinct clan from the same immediate ancestor (Gilead). The redundancy of the "family of the [x]-ites" structure isn't just enumeration; it's a declaration of legitimate lineage and a claim to a share in the promised inheritance. The divine sanction of these divisions ensured equity and prevented disputes over land and identity in the future. The naming echoes the original patriarchal structure where individuals became progenitors of significant groups.

Commentary

Numbers 26:31, like the surrounding verses, is not merely a dry list of names; it serves as a testament to God's unfailing faithfulness and the foundational principles of Israelite society. The meticulously recorded lineages within Manasseh, particularly the Asrielites and Shechemites, affirm that despite the wilderness generation's failures and subsequent demise, God's covenant promises remain steadfast for their offspring. This census, focused on the "family" (mishpachat) unit, emphasizes the centrality of the clan in both societal organization and the divine plan for land inheritance. Each family's numerical strength determined its allocated portion of the Promised Land, reinforcing a theology of orderly distribution and communal responsibility. It implicitly counters chaotic pagan notions of land acquisition, asserting that Yahweh, not human power or capricious deities, justly and systematically bestows territory based on covenantal ties and pre-ordained familial structures. This organizational detail set the stage for Joshua's meticulous land distribution and underlined the importance of knowing one's lineage for belonging, rights, and responsibilities within the covenant community.

Bonus section

The genealogical precision of Numbers 26, exemplified in verse 31, underscores several profound theological and practical implications. Firstly, it reinforces the concept of divine election and continuity. Despite the collective failure of the first generation in the wilderness, God's covenant promise to Abraham was transferred and maintained through their descendants. The enumeration of these new clans demonstrates that the identity of the covenant people remained unbroken, even as the individuals changed. This meticulous record would serve as the legal and theological basis for the impending land division, a pivotal moment in Israel's history that solidified their status as a settled, national entity rather than just a nomadic encampment. Furthermore, the emphasis on "family" (mishpachat) highlights the importance of collective identity and accountability. The welfare of the nation was rooted in the strength and integrity of its constituent families, a principle echoed throughout Israelite law and social structure. It provided stability, ensured a degree of local self-governance, and defined rights to resources and participation within the community. The specific naming of individuals as progenitors of these families (Asriel, Shechem) connects the macro-level tribal structure back to a micro-level familial origin, reflecting the patriarchal roots of Israelite society.

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