Numbers 26:12
The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֣י
The sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
The sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שִׁמְעוֹן֮
of Simeon
H8095
שִׁמְעוֹן֮
of Simeon
Strong's:
H8095
Word #:
2 of 12
shimon, one of jacob's sons, also the tribe descended from him
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
3 of 12
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
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
5 of 12
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
הַנְּמ֣וּאֵלִ֔י
of the Nemuelites
H5242
הַנְּמ֣וּאֵלִ֔י
of the Nemuelites
Strong's:
H5242
Word #:
6 of 12
a nemuelite, or descendant of nemuel
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
8 of 12
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
הַיָּֽמִינִ֑י
of the Jaminites
H3228
הַיָּֽמִינִ֑י
of the Jaminites
Strong's:
H3228
Word #:
9 of 12
a jeminite (collectively) or descendants of jamin
לְיָכִ֕ין
of Jachin
H3199
לְיָכִ֕ין
of Jachin
Strong's:
H3199
Word #:
10 of 12
jakin, the name of three israelites and of a temple pillar
Cross References
1 Chronicles 4:24The sons of Simeon were, Nemuel, and Jamin, Jarib, Zerah, and Shaul:Exodus 6:15And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman: these are the families of Simeon.Genesis 46:10And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.
Historical Context
Simeon's tribal territory became enclaved within Judah's inheritance (Joshua 19:1-9), fulfilling Jacob's prophecy of scattering. The tribe eventually lost distinct identity, being absorbed into Judah. The Simeonite prince Zimri's sin with a Midianite woman (Numbers 25) triggered a plague that killed 24,000—many likely from Simeon's tribe, explaining the census decrease.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Simeon's dramatic numerical decline illustrate the long-term consequences of generational sin and divine discipline?
- What does the fulfillment of Jacob's 400-year-old curse teach about God's prophetic word and justice?
- In what ways can corporate sin (like Zimri's action) bring judgment on an entire community?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The sons of Simeon after their families (בְּנֵי שִׁמְעוֹן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם)—the census proceeds to Simeon, Jacob's second son. The enumeration of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites follows the same pattern as Reuben's listing. Nemuel (also called Jemuel in Genesis 46:10) heads the Simeonite clans alongside Jamin and Jachin.
Simeon's tribal fortunes had been cursed by Jacob for violence at Shechem (Genesis 34, 49:5-7): I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel. The second census reveals dramatic fulfillment—Simeon suffers the largest numerical decline of any tribe, dropping from 59,300 (Numbers 1:23) to 22,200 (Numbers 26:14), a staggering loss of 37,100 men. This 63% decrease likely reflects divine judgment, possibly connected to the Baal-Peor incident involving Simeonite prince Zimri (Numbers 25:6-14).