King James Version
What Does Numbers 26:8 Mean?
“And the sons of Pallu; Eliab.”
Numbers 26:8 · KJV
Context
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.
8
And the sons of Pallu; Eliab.
9
And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:
10
And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryAnd the sons of Pallu; Eliab—this brief verse introduces Eliab (אֱלִיאָב, 'my God is Father'), whose sons Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram led a notorious rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16:1). The next verses (26:9-11) will detail this rebellion's catastrophic consequences.
The census's inclusion of Eliab sets up a cautionary tale embedded within genealogical record-keeping. Not all descendants remained faithful; Eliab's family produced rebels who challenged God's appointed leadership. Yet even notorious failures are recorded in Scripture as warnings: these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us (1 Corinthians 10:11). The census is not merely statistical but theological, teaching covenant lessons through family histories.
The census's inclusion of Eliab sets up a cautionary tale embedded within genealogical record-keeping. Not all descendants remained faithful; Eliab's family produced rebels who challenged God's appointed leadership. Yet even notorious failures are recorded in Scripture as warnings: these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us (1 Corinthians 10:11). The census is not merely statistical but theological, teaching covenant lessons through family histories.
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Historical & Cultural Context
Eliab was a prominent Reubenite whose sons Dathan and Abiram joined Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16). These men, along with 250 leaders, challenged Moses's authority and were swallowed alive by the earth in divine judgment. Eliab himself is not mentioned in the rebellion account, suggesting he may have died before this event or remained uninvolved.
Reflection Questions
- How does the census's inclusion of Eliab—whose sons would rebel—remind us that faithful parents cannot guarantee their children's spiritual choices?
- What does the detailed recording of rebellion and judgment teach about Scripture's honest portrayal of covenant community failures?
- In what ways might positional privilege (being from a prominent family) become a temptation to presumption rather than faithfulness?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 3 wordsוּבְנֵ֥י1 of 3
“And the sons”
H1121a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
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 26:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.