King James Version

What Does Numbers 26:37 Mean?

“These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.”

Numbers 26:37 · KJV

Context

35

These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.

36

And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.

37

These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.

38

The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:

39

Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred—Ephraim's population of 32,500 represented a stunning 20% decline from the first census (40,500 in Numbers 1:33). Yet this diminishment didn't forfeit their preeminence; they still received choice land and produced Israel's next leader. God's election transcends demographics.

The closing phrase These are the sons of Joseph after their families (אֵלֶּה בְנֵי־יוֹסֵף) brackets the Joseph tribes' census (begun in v. 28), emphasizing their unity despite different trajectories. Combined, they totaled 85,200—powerful but not dominant like Judah. This balance foreshadows Israel's eventual split: Judah's royal line versus Joseph/Ephraim's numerical strength. The census's meticulous record-keeping would later enable land division by lot (26:52-56), ensuring each family received their divinely appointed נַחֲלָה (inheritance).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ephraim's decline puzzles commentators—perhaps plague, warfare casualties, or divine judgment for specific sins during the 38-year wandering. Despite reduction, their central geographic position (between Manasseh and Benjamin) and Shiloh's tabernacle in their territory maintained their influence. Later, Ephraim's pride over their perceived importance became a prophetic target (Isaiah 28:1-4, Hosea 5:3-5).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Ephraim's numerical decline yet continued significance demonstrate that God's calling and gifts are irrevocable (Romans 11:29)?
  2. What does the bracketing phrase 'sons of Joseph' teach about maintaining family/tribal unity despite experiencing different outcomes?
  3. How might Ephraim's later pride despite earlier decline warn against short-term memory in evaluating God's patience and favor?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אֵ֣לֶּה1 of 14
H428

these or those

לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃2 of 14

“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

בְנֵֽי3 of 14

“These are the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אֶפְרַ֙יִם֙4 of 14

“of Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

לִפְקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם5 of 14

“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

שְׁנַ֧יִם6 of 14

“and two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

וּשְׁלֹשִׁ֛ים7 of 14

“of them thirty”

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

אֶ֖לֶף8 of 14

“thousand”

H505

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

וַֽחֲמֵ֣שׁ9 of 14

“and five”

H2568

five

מֵא֑וֹת10 of 14

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אֵ֥לֶּה11 of 14
H428

these or those

בְנֵֽי12 of 14

“These are the sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יוֹסֵ֖ף13 of 14

“of Joseph”

H3130

joseph, the name of seven israelites

לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃14 of 14

“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

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 26:37 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 26:37 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 1:32-33Numbers 2:18-19

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