King James Version

What Does Numbers 26:5 Mean?

Numbers 26:5 in the King James Version says “Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu,...” — study this verse from Numbers chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:”

Numbers 26:5 · KJV

Context

3

And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,

4

Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

5

Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:

6

Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.

7

These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.

Read Numbers 26 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Reuben, the eldest son of Israel (רְאוּבֵן בְּכוֹר יִשְׂרָאֵל)—the census begins with Reuben by birthright, though he forfeited leadership privileges through sexual sin with his father's concubine (Genesis 35:22, 49:3-4). The enumeration of mishpachot (families/clans) preserves tribal genealogical records essential for land inheritance.

The listing of Reubenite families—Hanoch... Pallu—roots this census in Jacob's historical sons from Genesis 46:9. This genealogical continuity demonstrates God's faithfulness across generations: the promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:5) to make his descendants numerous is being fulfilled despite 40 years of wilderness wandering and judgment. Each family name represents covenant preservation through centuries of slavery and desert sojourn.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Reuben lost his birthright privileges but retained numerical priority in tribal listings. The Reubenite families descended from Jacob's four grandsons through Reuben: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi. This census occurred approximately 250 years after Jacob's family entered Egypt with these same ancestral names (Genesis 46).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Reuben's loss of birthright yet continued inclusion in the covenant community reveal both divine justice and mercy?
  2. What does the careful preservation of family lineages teach about God's attention to detail in fulfilling His promises?
  3. How does your spiritual heritage connect you to the broader story of God's covenant faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
רְאוּבֵ֗ן1 of 11

“Reuben”

H7205

reuben, a son of jacob

בְּכ֣וֹר2 of 11

“the eldest”

H1060

first-born; hence, chief

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל3 of 11

“son of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בְּנֵ֣י4 of 11

“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

רְאוּבֵ֗ן5 of 11

“Reuben”

H7205

reuben, a son of jacob

חֲנוֹךְ֙6 of 11

“Hanoch”

H2585

chanok, an antediluvian patriach

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת7 of 11

“of whom cometh 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

הַֽחֲנֹכִ֔י8 of 11

“of the Hanochites”

H2599

a chanokite (collectively) or descendants of chanok

לְפַלּ֕וּא9 of 11

“of Pallu”

H6396

pallu, an israelite

מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת10 of 11

“of whom cometh 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

הַפַּלֻּאִֽי׃11 of 11

“of the Palluites”

H6384

a palluite (collectively) or descendants of pallu

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 26:5 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 26:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 5:31 Chronicles 5:1Exodus 6:14Genesis 46:8-9Genesis 29:32Genesis 49:2-3

Test Your Knowledge

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