Numbers 26:50
These were the clans of Naphtali, and their registration numbered 45,400.
These were the clans of Naphtali
The phrase "These were the clans of Naphtali" refers to the descendants of Naphtali, one of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose lineage formed one of the tribes of Israel. The Hebrew word for "clans" is "mishpachot," which signifies extended family groups or subdivisions within a tribe. This highlights the importance of family and community in ancient Israelite society, where identity and inheritance were closely tied to one's clan. The tribe of Naphtali was known for its valor and played a significant role in the history of Israel, as seen in the Song of Deborah (Judges 5:18), where they are praised for their bravery.

and their registration numbered 45,400
The phrase "and their registration numbered 45,400" indicates the census count of the men of fighting age within the tribe of Naphtali. The Hebrew term for "registration" is "paqad," which means to count or muster, often used in a military context. This census was part of a broader effort to organize the Israelites for the conquest of Canaan, as God had commanded Moses. The number 45,400 reflects the tribe's strength and readiness for battle, underscoring the importance of obedience and preparation in fulfilling God's promises. Historically, this census was crucial for maintaining order and ensuring that each tribe contributed to the collective mission of the Israelites.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Naphtali
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Naphtali, the sixth son of Jacob and the second son of Bilhah, Rachel's maidservant. The tribe of Naphtali was known for its warriors and played a significant role in the history of Israel.

2. Census of Israel
Numbers 26 records the second census of the Israelites in the wilderness, taken after the plague as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This census was crucial for organizing the tribes for both military and inheritance purposes.

3. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who, under God's command, conducted the census. Moses was responsible for guiding the Israelites through the wilderness and preparing them for the conquest of Canaan.

4. Eleazar
The son of Aaron and the high priest at the time of this census. He assisted Moses in the census and played a key role in the spiritual leadership of Israel.

5. Plains of Moab
The location where the Israelites camped as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. This area was significant as the staging ground for the conquest of Canaan.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Preservation
The census reflects God's faithfulness in preserving His people despite their disobedience and the challenges they faced in the wilderness.

Importance of Spiritual Readiness
Just as the Israelites were counted and prepared for entering the Promised Land, Christians are called to be spiritually ready for the tasks God sets before them.

Community and Identity
The listing of tribes and clans underscores the importance of community and identity in God's plan. Believers today are part of a spiritual family with a shared mission.

Obedience to Divine Instruction
The census was conducted according to God's command, illustrating the importance of obedience to God's instructions in our lives.

Trust in God's Provision
Despite the challenges in the wilderness, God provided for the Israelites. This encourages believers to trust in God's provision in their own lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the census of the tribe of Naphtali reflect God's faithfulness to His promises to the patriarchs?

2. In what ways can we ensure that we are spiritually ready for the tasks God has prepared for us, similar to how the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land?

3. How does understanding our identity in Christ and our place in the Christian community impact our daily walk with God?

4. What are some areas in our lives where we need to practice greater obedience to God's instructions?

5. How can we cultivate a deeper trust in God's provision, especially during challenging times, as seen in the wilderness journey of the Israelites?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 30:7-8
This passage describes the birth of Naphtali, providing background on the tribe's origin and its patriarch.

Judges 4-5
The tribe of Naphtali played a crucial role in the battle against Sisera, highlighting their military prowess and faithfulness to God's call.

Revelation 7:6
Naphtali is mentioned among the tribes of Israel in the vision of the 144,000, indicating its continued significance in God's plan.
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
45, 400, Forty, Forty-five, Hundred, Naphtali, Naph'tali, Numbered, Ones, Thousand
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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