Numbers 26:21
And these were the descendants of Perez: the Hezronite clan from Hezron and the Hamulite clan from Hamul.
And the descendants of Perez
The name "Perez" comes from the Hebrew root "פָּרַץ" (parats), meaning "to breach" or "to burst forth." Perez was the son of Judah and Tamar, and his birth is recorded in Genesis 38:29. The account of Perez is significant because it highlights God's sovereignty and grace in using unexpected circumstances to fulfill His promises. Perez's lineage is crucial as it leads to King David and ultimately to Jesus Christ, emphasizing God's redemptive plan through history.

were the Hezronite clan
The "Hezronite clan" refers to the descendants of Hezron, one of the sons of Perez. The name "Hezron" is derived from the Hebrew "חֶצְרוֹן" (Chetsron), which may mean "enclosed" or "surrounded by a wall." This could symbolize protection and strength, attributes that are often associated with God's provision for His people. Hezron's descendants played a significant role in the history of Israel, as Hezron is an ancestor of King David, further linking this lineage to the Messianic promise.

and the Hamulite clan
The "Hamulite clan" refers to the descendants of Hamul, another son of Perez. The name "Hamul" comes from the Hebrew "חָמוּל" (Chamuwl), which means "spared" or "pitied." This name reflects God's mercy and compassion, themes that are prevalent throughout the Bible. The inclusion of the Hamulite clan in this census underscores the importance of each family within the tribe of Judah, highlighting the value of every individual in God's eyes and His overarching plan for His people.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Pharez (Perez)
A son of Judah and Tamar, Pharez is an ancestor of the Hezronite and Hamulite clans. His lineage is significant in the genealogy of King David and ultimately Jesus Christ.

2. Hezron
A descendant of Pharez, Hezron is the progenitor of the Hezronite clan. His name is associated with strength and enclosure, reflecting the growth and establishment of his lineage.

3. Hamul
Another descendant of Pharez, Hamul is the progenitor of the Hamulite clan. His name means "pitied" or "spared," indicating a sense of divine favor or mercy.

4. The Hezronite Clan
This clan is one of the subdivisions of the tribe of Judah, tracing its lineage back to Hezron.

5. The Hamulite Clan
Another subdivision of the tribe of Judah, this clan traces its lineage back to Hamul.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Lineage
Understanding the genealogies in the Bible helps us see God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises through specific family lines, ultimately leading to the birth of Jesus Christ.

God's Sovereignty in History
The inclusion of Pharez, born out of a complex and morally challenging situation, shows how God can use all circumstances to bring about His divine purposes.

The Role of Clans in Israel
The division into clans within the tribes of Israel highlights the importance of community and identity in God's plan for His people.

Divine Favor and Mercy
The name "Hamul" reminds us of God's mercy and favor, which are evident throughout the history of Israel and in our lives today.

Legacy and Faithfulness
The faithfulness of individuals in the lineage of Pharez, such as Boaz and David, serves as an example for us to live lives that honor God and impact future generations.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Judah and Tamar in Genesis 38 provide context for understanding the significance of Pharez's lineage in Numbers 26:21?

2. In what ways does the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1 highlight the importance of the Hezronite and Hamulite clans?

3. How can we see God's sovereignty and redemptive purposes in the complex family histories found in the Bible?

4. What lessons can we learn from the role of clans and community in ancient Israel that apply to our church communities today?

5. How does understanding the legacy of faithfulness in the lineage of Pharez encourage us to live lives that impact future generations for God's kingdom?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 38
The account of Judah and Tamar, which leads to the birth of Pharez, is foundational for understanding the lineage mentioned in Numbers 26:21.

Ruth 4
The genealogy of David is traced back to Pharez, highlighting the importance of this lineage in the history of Israel and the coming of the Messiah.

Matthew 1
The genealogy of Jesus Christ includes Pharez, emphasizing the fulfillment of God's promises through this lineage.
The Second CensusD. Young Numbers 26:1-62
People
Aaron, Abihu, Abiram, Ahiram, Ahiramites, Amram, Ard, Ardites, Areli, Arelites, Arod, Arodites, Ashbel, Ashbelites, Asher, Asriel, Asrielites, Becher, Becherites, Bela, Belaites, Benjamin, Beriah, Beriites, Berites, Caleb, Carmi, Carmites, Dan, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Elon, Elonites, Enoch, Enochites, Er, Eran, Eranites, Eri, Erites, Gad, Gershon, Gershonites, Gileadites, Guni, Gunites, Haggai, Haggi, Haggites, Hamul, Hamulites, Hanoch, Hanochites, Heber, Heberites, Hebronites, Helek, Helekites, Helkites, Hepher, Hepherites, Hezron, Hezronites, Hoglah, Hupham, Huphamites, Iezerites, Imnah, Imnites, Ishvites, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Jachin, Jachinites, Jahleel, Jahleelites, Jahzeel, Jahzeelites, Jamin, Jaminites, Jashub, Jashubites, Jeezer, Jeezerites, Jephunneh, Jesui, Jesuites, Jezer, Jezerites, Jimna, Jimnah, Jimnites, Jishvites, Jochebed, Joseph, Joshua, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Korathites, Levi, Levites, Libnites, Machir, Machirites, Mahlah, Mahlites, Malchiel, Malchielites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Milcah, Miriam, Moses, Mushites, Naaman, Naamites, Nadab, Naphtali, Nemuel, Nemuelites, Noah, Nun, Onan, Ozni, Oznites, Pallu, Palluites, Perez, Perezites, Phallu, Phalluites, Pharez, Pua, Puah, Punites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sarah, Sardites, Saul, Saulites, Serah, Sered, Seredites, Shaul, Shaulites, Shechemites, Shelah, Shelanites, Shemida, Shemidaites, Shillem, Shillemites, Shimron, Shimronites, Shuham, Shuhamites, Shuni, Shunites, Shupham, Shuphamites, Shuthelah, Shuthelahites, Simeon, Simeonites, Tahan, Tahanites, Tirzah, Tola, Tolaites, Zarhites, Zebulun, Zebulunites, Zelophehad, Zephon, Zephonites, Zerah, Zerahites
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Peor, Sinai
Topics
Clan, Family, Hamul, Hamulite, Hamulites, Hamu'lites, Hezron, Hezronite, Hezronites, Hez'ronites, Perez, Pharez, Pherez, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 26:1-61

     5671   clan

Numbers 26:1-62

     7230   genealogies

Numbers 26:1-65

     5249   census

Numbers 26:12-50

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Training of a Statesman.
MOSES IN EGYPT AND THE WILDERNESS.--EX. 1:1; 7:5. Parallel Readings. Goodnow, F. J., Comparative Administrative Law. Hist. Bible I, 151-69. And he went out on the following day and saw two men of the Hebrews striving together; and he said to the one who was doing the wrong, Why do you smite your fellow-workman? But he replied, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and said, Surely the thing is known. When, therefore,
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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