King James Version
What Does Numbers 26:43 Mean?
“All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.”
Numbers 26:43 · KJV
Context
41
These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.
42
These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
43
All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.
44
Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
45
Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryThreescore and four thousand and four hundred (64,400)—the second-largest tribe in Israel, exceeded only by Judah's 76,500. Dan's remarkable size came from a single family, while most tribes had multiple clans. This disproportionate growth pattern reveals God's sovereign distribution of increase; He doesn't multiply uniformly but according to His purposes.
The Hebrew construction emphasizes exactness: שִׁשִּׁים אַרְבָּעָה אֶלֶף (sixty-four thousand). These weren't estimates—God knows His own precisely. Every Danite warrior counted, every family registered, every inheritance calculated. Divine order requires specific knowledge, not approximation.
The Hebrew construction emphasizes exactness: שִׁשִּׁים אַרְבָּעָה אֶלֶף (sixty-four thousand). These weren't estimates—God knows His own precisely. Every Danite warrior counted, every family registered, every inheritance calculated. Divine order requires specific knowledge, not approximation.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Dan's 64,400 represented an increase from 62,700 in the first census (Numbers 1:39)—a 2.7% growth. By comparison, some tribes declined drastically (Simeon lost 62.6%). Dan's modest but consistent growth over 38 wilderness years demonstrated steady faithfulness despite judgment on the nation.
Reflection Questions
- Why would God allow one single-clan tribe to become larger than multi-clan tribes? What does this reveal about His sovereignty?
- How does God's exact knowledge of each Danite encourage you that He knows and values each believer individually?
- What spiritual principle governs why some ministries or churches grow while others decline, even in the same environment?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 9 wordsכָּל1 of 9
H3605properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת2 of 9
“All the families”
H4940a 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
לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם4 of 9
“according to those that were numbered”
H6485to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶ֖לֶף7 of 9
“thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
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 26:43 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 26:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge