The big picture
Numbers 26 opens in verse 1 with “And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar…”, reaches its middle movement near verse 33 with “And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the…”, and closes in verse 65 with “For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was…” Repeated or prominent terms include family, families, sons, numbered, children. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Numbers · King James Version · 65Numbers 26:1-8
1–8: It came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and…
Numbers 26:1–8 opens with “And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of…” and reaches “And the sons of Pallu; Eliab.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Numbers 26 develops its own movement around family, families, sons, numbered, children, with particular weight carried by family, Israel, children.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.
“And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,” Naming Eleazar and Jericho keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Numbers 26:1-8
King James Version1And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
2Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers’ house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.
3And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
4Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.
5Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:
6Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
7These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
8And the sons of Pallu; Eliab.
Numbers 26:9-16
9–16: The sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan…
Numbers 26:9–16 opens with “And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which…” and reaches “Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Numbers 26 develops its own movement around family, families, sons, numbered, children, with particular weight carried by family, families, Korah.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the…” Naming Abiram and Dathan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.” Naming Korah and Notwithstanding keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.” Naming Shaul and Shaulites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Numbers 26:9-16
King James Version9And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD :
10And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.
11Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.
12The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:
13Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
14These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.
15The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:
16Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:
Numbers 26:17-24
17–24: Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the…
Numbers 26:17–24 opens with “Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.” and reaches “Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Numbers 26 develops its own movement around family, families, sons, numbered, children, with particular weight carried by family, families, sons.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.” Naming Areli and Arelites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.” Naming Onan and Canaan keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Numbers 26:17-24
King James Version17Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
18These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.
19The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.
20And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.
21And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.
22These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.
23Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:
24Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.
Numbers 26:25-32
25–32: These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered…
Numbers 26:25–32 opens with “These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and…” and reaches “And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Numbers 26 develops its own movement around family, families, sons, numbered, children, with particular weight carried by family, families, sons.
Context that brings the passage to life
“These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five…” The number thousand makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
Numbers 26:25-32
King James Version25These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.
26Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.
27These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.
28The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim.
29Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites.
30These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:
31And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:
32And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.
Numbers 26:33-40
33–40: Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names…
Numbers 26:33–40 opens with “And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of…” and reaches “And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Numbers 26 develops its own movement around family, families, sons, numbered, children, with particular weight carried by family, sons, families.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah…” Naming Zelophehad and Hepher keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the…” Naming Bachrites and Becher keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Numbers 26:33-40
King James Version33And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
34These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.
35These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.
36And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
37These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.
38The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:
39Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.
40And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.
Numbers 26:41-48
41–48: These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were…
Numbers 26:41–48 opens with “These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were…” and reaches “Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Numbers 26 develops its own movement around family, families, sons, numbered, children, with particular weight carried by families, family, sons.
Context that brings the passage to life
“These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand…” The number forty makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
“All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand…” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
Numbers 26:41-48
King James Version41These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.
42These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
43All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.
44Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
45Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.
46And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.
47These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred.
48Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:
Numbers 26:49-56
49–56: Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the…
Numbers 26:49–56 opens with “Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.” and reaches “According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Numbers 26 develops its own movement around family, families, sons, numbered, children, with particular weight carried by inheritance, divided, numbered.
Context that brings the passage to life
“Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.” Naming Jezer and Jezerites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.” The number six makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.
Numbers 26:49-56
King James Version49Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
50These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.
51These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
52And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
53Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.
54To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.
55Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
56According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.
Numbers 26:57-64
57–64: These are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families…
Numbers 26:57–64 opens with “And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the…” and reaches “But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Numbers 26 develops its own movement around family, families, sons, numbered, children, with particular weight carried by family, numbered, children.
Context that brings the passage to life
“And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites…” Naming Gershon and Gershonites keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And the name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare…” Naming Amram and Levi keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD .” Naming Abihu and Nadab keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
Numbers 26:57-64
King James Version57And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.
58These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.
59And the name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.
60And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
61And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD .
62And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
63These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.
64But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.
Numbers 26:65
65: For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness…
Numbers 26:65 consists of one verse: “For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and…” Its surrounding paragraph or narrative determines how that sentence contributes to the larger concern with Numbers 26 develops its own movement around family, families, sons, numbered, children.
Numbers 26:65
King James Version65For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Numbers 26:1 begins with “And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,”
Where the chapter turns
Numbers 26:64 forms a natural hinge: “But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.”
The final note
Numbers 26:65 leaves the reader with “For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words family, families, sons, numbered, children, Israel help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
How does Isaac respond to repeated disputes?
He relocates and digs again until a well is not contested, while later accepting a negotiated peace.
What persists from Abraham's story?
The promise, altars, wells, outsider status and the dangerous sister deception.
KJV words made clear
- begat
- became the father of
- unto
- to
- thou
- you
- spake
- spoke
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.