King James Version

What Does Numbers 26:44 Mean?

Numbers 26:44 in the King James Version says “Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuite...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Numbers 26:44 · KJV

Context

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.

46

And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.

Read Numbers 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The children of Asher after their families—Asher (אָשֵׁר, "happy/blessed") was Leah's handmaid Zilpah's son, yet his tribal blessing rivals the prestigious tribes. The listing of families—Jimna (יִמְנָה), Jesui (יִשְׁוִי), Beriah (בְּרִיעָה)—establishes inheritance rights. Each clan name carries meaning: Beriah means "in evil/trouble," perhaps commemorating birth circumstances, yet this "troubled" line survived to possess land.

The systematic recording of patronymic families (הַיִּמְנָה מִשְׁפַּחַת הַיִּמְנִי) demonstrates covenant precision. God doesn't blur lineages into generic "Asher"; each sub-clan receives specific identity and inheritance. Your spiritual heritage matters to God—He distinguishes between the Jimnites and Jesuites.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Asher received the northernmost coastal territory, the most fertile land in Israel (Deuteronomy 33:24). Though from a handmaid, Asher's blessing exceeded some of Leah's direct sons. This census enumerated the families who would inherit that rich olive-oil country stretching to Phoenicia.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the inclusion and blessing of handmaid-descended tribes challenge human hierarchies of legitimacy and worth?
  2. Why does God record family names like Beriah ("in trouble")—what hope does this offer to those born in difficult circumstances?
  3. What does Asher's blessing despite his mother's servant status teach about spiritual inheritance in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
בְּנֵ֣י1 of 12

“Of the children”

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

אָשֵׁר֮2 of 12

“of Asher”

H836

asher, a son of jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also a place in palestine

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת3 of 12

“after their 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

הַיִּמְנָ֔ה4 of 12

“of Jimna”

H3232

jimnah, the name of two israelites; also (with the article) of the posterity of one of them

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת5 of 12

“after their 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

הַיִּמְנָ֔ה6 of 12

“of Jimna”

H3232

jimnah, the name of two israelites; also (with the article) of the posterity of one of them

לְיִשְׁוִ֕י7 of 12

“of Jesui”

H3440

jishvi, the name of two israelites

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת8 of 12

“after their 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

הַיִּשְׁוִ֑י9 of 12

“of the Jesuites”

H3441

a jishvite (collectively) or descendants of jishvi

לִבְרִיעָ֕ה10 of 12

“of Beriah”

H1283

beriah, the name of four israelites

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת11 of 12

“after their 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

הַבְּרִיעִֽי׃12 of 12

“of the Beriites”

H1284

a beriite (collectively) or descendants of beriah

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 26:44 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 26:44 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 7:30Genesis 46:17

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