Numbers 26:22
These were the clans of Judah, and their registration numbered 76,500.
These were the clans of Judah
The term "clans" refers to the subdivisions within the tribe of Judah, which is one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Hebrew word for "clans" is "mishpachot," which signifies extended family groups or kinship units. Historically, the tribe of Judah holds significant importance as it is the lineage from which King David and ultimately Jesus Christ descended. This highlights the providential plan of God in preserving the line through which the Messiah would come. The mention of "Judah" here is a reminder of the tribe's prominence and its future role in biblical history.

and their registration numbered
The phrase "registration numbered" refers to the census or counting of the people. In Hebrew, the word for "numbered" is "paqad," which can mean to count, muster, or appoint. This census was commanded by God to Moses and Eleazar to account for the new generation of Israelites after the wilderness wanderings. It underscores the importance of order and organization within the community of God's people. The act of numbering also signifies God's intimate knowledge and care for each individual within the nation, as He knows each by name and purpose.

76,500
The specific number "76,500" represents the total count of men from the tribe of Judah who were able to go to war. This number reflects the strength and growth of the tribe, even after the trials and judgments faced during the wilderness period. Historically, this large number indicates Judah's significant role in the military and leadership among the tribes of Israel. It also foreshadows the tribe's future dominance in the land of Canaan and its central role in the establishment of the kingdom of Israel. The precision of this number serves as a testament to the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the multiplication of their descendants.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joseph
One of the twelve sons of Jacob, Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers but rose to become a powerful leader in Egypt. His sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, were adopted by Jacob and became two of the tribes of Israel.

2. Manasseh
The firstborn son of Joseph, Manasseh's descendants formed one of the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Manasseh was known for its significant land inheritance on both sides of the Jordan River.

3. Ephraim
The second son of Joseph, Ephraim's descendants also became a prominent tribe in Israel. Ephraim often symbolized the northern kingdom of Israel in later biblical history.

4. Machir
The son of Manasseh, Machir's descendants formed the Machirite clan. Machir is noted for his role in the conquest of the land east of the Jordan River.

5. Gilead
A region east of the Jordan River, Gilead was known for its balm and rugged terrain. The Gileadite clan descended from Machir and played a significant role in the history of Israel.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The division of the land among the tribes of Israel, including Manasseh and Ephraim, demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

The Importance of Heritage and Legacy
The mention of specific clans within the tribe of Manasseh highlights the importance of family heritage and the legacy we leave for future generations.

Unity and Diversity in God's People
The distinct clans within the tribe of Manasseh remind us of the diversity within the body of Christ and the need for unity among believers.

Trusting God's Plan
Despite the challenges faced by the tribes, God's plan for His people was ultimately for their good and His glory. We are called to trust in His sovereign plan for our lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the account of Joseph and his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, illustrate God's faithfulness to His promises?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we leave a godly legacy for future generations, similar to the clans of Manasseh?

3. How can the diversity within the tribe of Manasseh encourage us to embrace diversity within the church today?

4. What lessons can we learn from the tribe of Manasseh's role in Israel's history that apply to our personal walk with God?

5. How can we trust in God's plan for our lives, even when we face challenges or uncertainties, as the tribes of Israel did?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 48
This chapter describes Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, where he adopts them as his own and gives them a special blessing, setting the stage for their future prominence among the tribes of Israel.

Joshua 17
This passage details the allotment of land to the tribe of Manasseh, highlighting the fulfillment of the promises made to Joseph's descendants.

Judges 6
The account of Gideon, who was from the tribe of Manasseh, illustrates the tribe's role in delivering Israel from oppression.
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
76, 500, Hundred, Judah, Numbered, Ones, Seventy, Seventy-six, Six, Sixteen, Thousand, Threescore
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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