These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: The Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram, These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans:Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest son and Rachel’s second son, became the father of a tribe that would endure both hardship and prominence in Israel’s history. This second wilderness census prepared Israel for the division of Canaan, preserving each family’s claim within the inheritance God had promised. Gen 46:21 The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Becher, Ashbel, Gera,… The Belaite clan from Bela, Bela was Benjamin’s firstborn, and his family became the largest of Benjamin’s clans in this census. The name Bela means “destruction” or “devouring.” His descendants continued to appear in later genealogies, bearing witness to God’s preservation of the tribe through the wilderness generation and into the land. 1Ch 8:3-7 The sons of Bela: Addar, Gera, Abihud,… the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, Ashbel’s descendants, whose name means “a man of Baal” or “fire of Baal,” formed another established household within Benjamin. Every clan mattered in the ordering of Israel, since the land would be apportioned according to tribal and family identity, and each household shared in the covenant inheritance. 1Ch 8:1-2 Benjamin was the father of Bela, his firstborn… the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram, Ahiram, whose name means “brother of height” or “exalted brother,” is identified elsewhere under related forms of his name, reflecting the varied genealogical records of Benjamin’s family. The inclusion of his clan shows that God’s record embraced households not celebrated for public deeds as well as those that later produced leaders such as Saul, Israel’s first king, and Paul, the apostle of Christ. 1Ch 7:12 The Shuppites and Huppites were descendants… Persons / Places / Events 1. BenjaminThe youngest son of Jacob and Rachel, Benjamin is the patriarch of the tribe mentioned in this verse. His descendants are being counted in this census. 2. Bela The firstborn son of Benjamin, whose descendants form one of the clans within the tribe of Benjamin. 3. Ard and Naaman Sons of Bela, who are mentioned as heads of their respective families or clans within the tribe of Benjamin. Teaching Points The Importance of Lineage and HeritageThe census in Numbers 26 emphasizes the importance of family lineage and heritage in the Israelite community. It reminds us of the value of understanding our spiritual heritage and the legacy we leave for future generations. God's Faithfulness to His Promises The preservation and growth of the tribe of Benjamin demonstrate God's faithfulness to His promises to the patriarchs. This encourages believers to trust in God's promises in their own lives. The Role of Community in Faith The detailed recording of families and clans underscores the significance of community and belonging in the faith journey. It challenges us to engage actively in our faith communities and support one another. Accountability and Responsibility The census serves as a reminder of accountability and responsibility within the community of faith. Each individual and family has a role to play in the larger body of believers. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding the lineage of the tribe of Benjamin enhance our appreciation of God's faithfulness throughout biblical history?2. In what ways can we apply the concept of spiritual heritage in our own lives and communities today? 3. How does the census in Numbers 26:38 reflect the importance of community and belonging in the life of a believer? 4. What lessons can we learn from the tribe of Benjamin's role in the broader account of Israel, particularly in the book of Judges? 5. How can we ensure that we are fulfilling our responsibilities and roles within our faith communities, as reflected in the accountability seen in the census? Connections to Other Scriptures Genesis 46:21This verse lists the sons of Benjamin, providing a genealogical background that connects to the census in Numbers 26:38. 1 Chronicles 7:6-12 Chronicles offers another genealogical account of the tribe of Benjamin, showing the continuity and importance of this tribe in Israel's history. Judges 20 The tribe of Benjamin plays a significant role in the events of Judges, highlighting their strength and the consequences of their actions within the broader account of Israel.
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, ZerahitesPlaces Canaan, Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Peor, SinaiTopics Ahiram, Ahi'ram, Ahiramite, Ahiramites, Ahi'ramites, Ashbel, Ashbelite, Ashbelites, Ash'belites, Bela, Belaite, Belaites, Be'la-ites, Benjamin, Clan, Clans, Families, Family, SonsDictionary of Bible Themes Numbers 26:1-61Library The Census of IsraelThirty-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. Numbers Links Numbers 26:38 NIVNumbers 26:38 NLT Numbers 26:38 ESV Numbers 26:38 NASB Numbers 26:38 KJV Numbers 26:38 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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