King James Version

What Does Numbers 26:32 Mean?

Numbers 26:32 in the King James Version says “And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.”

Numbers 26:32 · KJV

Context

30

These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:

31

And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:

32

And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.

33

And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

34

These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites—Shemida (שְׁמִידָע, 'name of knowing' or 'wise fame') suggests reputation built on understanding, while Hepher (חֵפֶר, 'a pit/well' or 'shame') seems less auspicious. Yet Hepher's clan produced Zelophehad, whose daughters revolutionized inheritance law (Numbers 27:1-11).

This juxtaposition—'wise fame' beside 'the pit'—mirrors Scripture's pattern: God chooses foolish things to shame the wise (1 Corinthians 1:27). The Hepherites, despite their inauspicious name, became agents of covenant justice and women's rights. The census doesn't rank clans by prestige but counts them equally, each essential to Israel's completeness. No clan is expendable; the 'least' may birth landmark legal precedent.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Hepherites' later significance through Zelophehad's daughters (v. 33) shows how census genealogies preserve information that becomes crucial later. This clan's name appears in Joshua's land division (Joshua 17:2-3), where the daughters' inheritance is formally granted. Their case became precedent for property law throughout Israel's history (Numbers 36).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Hepher's story of 'the pit' producing legal reformers encourage believers from disadvantaged or stigmatized backgrounds?
  2. What does the equal counting of prestigious and humble clans teach about God's valuation versus human social hierarchies?
  3. How might Zelophehad's case, arising from 'shameful' Hepher, typologically point to Christ bringing redemption through the shame of the cross?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
וּשְׁמִידָ֕ע1 of 6

“And of Shemida”

H8061

shemida, an israelite

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת2 of 6

“the family”

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

הַשְּׁמִֽידָעִ֑י3 of 6

“of the Shemidaites”

H8062

a shemidaite (collectively) or descendants of shemida

וְחֵ֕פֶר4 of 6

“and of Hepher”

H2660

chepher, a place in palestine

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת5 of 6

“the family”

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

הַֽחֶפְרִֽי׃6 of 6

“of the Hepherites”

H2662

a chephrite (collectively) or descendants of chepher

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 26:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

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