Numbers 26:22
These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.
Original Language Analysis
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
These are the families
H4940
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
2 of 9
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
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
3 of 9
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם
according to those that were numbered
H6485
לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם
according to those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
4 of 9
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
שִׁשָּׁ֧ה
H8337
שִׁשָּׁ֧ה
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
5 of 9
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
Historical Context
Judah's size and position (leading the march, Numbers 10:14) established its preeminence among the twelve tribes. After the conquest, Judah received southern Canaan's highlands. Following the kingdom's division (930 BC), Judah continued the Davidic line while the northern tribes fell into apostasy. The tribe's faithfulness during the wilderness (relative to others) resulted in population blessing.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Judah's population growth amid Israel's overall decline illustrate the principle that faithfulness to God brings blessing even in seasons of general judgment?
- What does Judah's numerical and territorial dominance teach about God's preparation of the royal tribe to produce the Messiah?
- In what ways does the preservation and growth of Judah's tribe foreshadow the growth of Christ's church despite persecution and opposition?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred (76,500)—Judah's census reveals a modest increase of 1,900 men from the first census (74,600 in Numbers 1:27), making Judah the largest tribe in Israel. This growth amid overall population decline demonstrates God's blessing on the royal tribe. The Hebrew shiv'im ve-shishah eleph (seventy-six thousand) uses the standard Semitic counting method.
Judah's numerical dominance fulfills Jacob's blessing: 'Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise' (Genesis 49:8). As the largest tribe, Judah would receive the largest territorial allotment (Joshua 15), including the strategic cities of Hebron, Bethlehem, and eventually Jerusalem. This census occurs just before the conquest, positioning Judah to lead Israel into the Promised Land (Judges 1:1-2).