Numbers 26:15
The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֣י
The children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
The children
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
גָד֮
of Gad
H1410
גָד֮
of Gad
Strong's:
H1410
Word #:
2 of 12
gad, a son of jacob, including his tribe and its territory; also a prophet
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
הַצְּפוֹנִ֔י
of the Zephonites
H6831
הַצְּפוֹנִ֔י
of the Zephonites
Strong's:
H6831
Word #:
6 of 12
a tsephonite, or (collectively) descendants of tsephon
הַֽחַגִּ֑י
of Haggi
H2291
הַֽחַגִּ֑י
of Haggi
Strong's:
H2291
Word #:
7 of 12
chaggi, an israelite; also (patronymically) a chaggite, or descendant of the same
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
הַֽחַגִּ֑י
of Haggi
H2291
הַֽחַגִּ֑י
of Haggi
Strong's:
H2291
Word #:
9 of 12
chaggi, an israelite; also (patronymically) a chaggite, or descendant of the same
Historical Context
Gad settled east of the Jordan in Gilead (Numbers 32), territory later known for balm and military strength. This census (c. 1406 BC) counted the second wilderness generation—those under twenty at the Exodus were now ready for conquest. The seven clans would receive inheritance in the Transjordan.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's preservation of tribal genealogies through forty years of wilderness wandering demonstrate His faithfulness to covenant promises?
- What does the detailed recording of every clan teach about the value God places on individuals within the community of faith?
- How does Gad's eastern settlement (choosing Gilead over Canaan proper) reflect the spiritual danger of settling for less than God's best?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The children of Gad after their families—This second census (מִפְקָד, miphqad) of Gad's tribe lists seven clans descended from Jacob's seventh son, born to Zilpah (Genesis 30:11). Gad means 'fortune' or 'troop,' reflecting Leah's exclamation at his birth. The tribal structure preserves mishpachah (family/clan) identity through the wilderness generation—each clan named with the gentillic suffix -i (Zephonites, Haggites, Shunites).
This meticulous genealogical record demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness to preserve Israel's tribal distinctions despite forty years of wandering. The census occurs on the Plains of Moab, just before entering Canaan, ensuring proper land distribution according to tribal size (v. 53-56).