King James Version

What Does Numbers 26:22 Mean?

Numbers 26:22 in the King James Version says “These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five ...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.”

Numbers 26:22 · KJV

Context

20

And 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.

21

And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.

22

These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.

23

Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:

24

Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.

Read Numbers 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred (76,500)—Judah's census reveals a modest increase of 1,900 men from the first census (74,600 in Numbers 1:27), making Judah the largest tribe in Israel. This growth amid overall population decline demonstrates God's blessing on the royal tribe. The Hebrew shiv'im ve-shishah eleph (seventy-six thousand) uses the standard Semitic counting method.

Judah's numerical dominance fulfills Jacob's blessing: 'Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise' (Genesis 49:8). As the largest tribe, Judah would receive the largest territorial allotment (Joshua 15), including the strategic cities of Hebron, Bethlehem, and eventually Jerusalem. This census occurs just before the conquest, positioning Judah to lead Israel into the Promised Land (Judges 1:1-2).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judah's size and position (leading the march, Numbers 10:14) established its preeminence among the twelve tribes. After the conquest, Judah received southern Canaan's highlands. Following the kingdom's division (930 BC), Judah continued the Davidic line while the northern tribes fell into apostasy. The tribe's faithfulness during the wilderness (relative to others) resulted in population blessing.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Judah's population growth amid Israel's overall decline illustrate the principle that faithfulness to God brings blessing even in seasons of general judgment?
  2. What does Judah's numerical and territorial dominance teach about God's preparation of the royal tribe to produce the Messiah?
  3. In what ways does the preservation and growth of Judah's tribe foreshadow the growth of Christ's church despite persecution and opposition?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
אֵ֛לֶּה1 of 9
H428

these or those

מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת2 of 9

“These are the families”

H4940

a family, i.e., circle of relatives; figuratively, a class (of persons), a species (of animals) or sort (of things); by extension a tribe or people

יְהוּדָ֖ה3 of 9

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם4 of 9

“according to those that were numbered”

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

שִׁשָּׁ֧ה5 of 9
H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

וְשִׁבְעִ֛ים6 of 9

“of them threescore and sixteen”

H7657

seventy

אֶ֖לֶף7 of 9

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ8 of 9

“and five”

H2568

five

מֵאֽוֹת׃9 of 9

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 26:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 26:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 5:2Numbers 2:3-4Numbers 1:26-27Psalms 115:14Genesis 49:8Hebrews 7:14

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