King James Version

What Does Numbers 26:59 Mean?

Numbers 26:59 in the King James Version says “And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unt... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.

Numbers 26:59 · KJV


Context

57

And these are they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.

58

These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.

59

And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.

60

And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

61

And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi—this staggering detail means Moses's mother was Levi's daughter, making her Amram's aunt (Exodus 6:20). Such unions were later forbidden (Leviticus 18:12), but before Sinai, they preserved Levitical purity. Jochebed (יוֹכֶבֶד, "YHWH is glory") bore the name of God—rare for pre-Mosaic times.

And she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister—three siblings who led the Exodus. A basket-making mother, a stammering son, a leprous daughter, and a son who made a golden calf (Aaron) changed world history. God uses broken families for glorious purposes. Jochebed's womb produced Israel's three foundational leaders.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jochebed defied Pharaoh's infanticide decree (Exodus 1:22), hiding Moses three months before placing him in the Nile. Her faith (Hebrews 11:23) saved Israel's deliverer. This census, 80+ years after Moses's birth, records her name with honor. The midwives and Moses's mother—women of faith—preserved the nation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Jochebed's name ("YHWH is glory") reflect her faith in hiding Moses, trusting God's glory would prevail over Pharaoh's decree?
  2. What does the production of three major leaders from one family teach about godly parenting's generational impact?
  3. How does Jochebed's inclusion in a military census demonstrate that God values faithful mothers as much as warrior sons?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וְשֵׁ֣ם׀1 of 20

And the name

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

אֵ֣שֶׁת2 of 20

wife

H802

a woman

לְעַמְרָ֗ם3 of 20

of Amram's

H6019

amram, the name of two israelites

יוֹכֶ֙בֶד֙4 of 20

was Jochebed

H3115

jokebed, the mother of moses

בַּת5 of 20

the daughter

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

לְלֵוִ֖י6 of 20

of Levi

H3878

levi, a son of jacob

אֲשֶׁ֨ר7 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

וַתֵּ֣לֶד8 of 20

and she bare

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

אֹתָ֛הּ9 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

לְלֵוִ֖י10 of 20

of Levi

H3878

levi, a son of jacob

בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם11 of 20

in Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

וַתֵּ֣לֶד12 of 20

and she bare

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

לְעַמְרָ֗ם13 of 20

of Amram's

H6019

amram, the name of two israelites

אֶֽת14 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אַהֲרֹן֙15 of 20

Aaron

H175

aharon, the brother of moses

וְאֶת16 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֹשֶׁ֔ה17 of 20

and Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְאֵ֖ת18 of 20
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִרְיָ֥ם19 of 20

and Miriam

H4813

mirjam, the name of two israelitesses

אֲחֹתָֽם׃20 of 20

their sister

H269

a sister (used very widely [like h0251], literally and figuratively)


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 26:59 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 26:59 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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