Numbers 26:27
These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.
Original Language Analysis
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
These are the families
H4940
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
2 of 8
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
הַזְּבֽוּלֹנִ֖י
of the Zebulunites
H2075
הַזְּבֽוּלֹנִ֖י
of the Zebulunites
Strong's:
H2075
Word #:
3 of 8
a zebulonite or descendant of zebulun
לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם
according to those that were numbered
H6485
לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם
according to those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
4 of 8
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
Historical Context
This census positioned Zebulun for the conquest of Lower Galilee (c. 1406 BC). Their 60,500 fighting men successfully subdued Canaanite strongholds in their allotment. Seven centuries later, Zebulun's territory became the primary location of Jesus's public ministry—the Messiah dwelt among them at Capernaum, and they were first to see 'great light' (Matthew 4:16).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Zebulun's consistent population growth without political ambition model humble faithfulness that receives greater honor than self-promotion?
- What does God's choice of Zebulun's territory for the Messiah's primary ministry teach about the honor given to faithful, 'ordinary' servants?
- In what ways does Zebulun's commercial prosperity combined with military strength provide a model for Christians engaging both economic and spiritual warfare?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Threescore thousand and five hundred (60,500)—Zebulun's census reveals an increase of 3,100 men from the first census (57,400 in Numbers 1:31), placing them as the sixth-largest tribe. This 5.4% growth demonstrates covenant blessing despite the wilderness rebellions that decimated other tribes. The round number (60,500) may reflect the precision of military organization—each clan subdivided into hundreds and fifties (Exodus 18:21).
Zebulun's moderate size suited their strategic role bridging Galilee's interior and coast. Unlike dominant tribes (Judah, Dan, or Ephraim), Zebulun never pursued political preeminence, yet their faithfulness earned them prophetic honor—Isaiah 9:1-2 prophesies Messiah's light shining on 'Zebulun and Naphtali,' fulfilled when Jesus began His Galilean ministry (Matthew 4:13-16).