Numbers 26:41
These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.
Original Language Analysis
בְנֵֽי
These are the sons
H1121
בְנֵֽי
These are the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 10
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
of Benjamin
H1144
בִנְיָמִ֖ן
of Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
3 of 10
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
after their families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם
after their families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
4 of 10
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
וּפְקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם
and they that were numbered
H6485
וּפְקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם
and they that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
5 of 10
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֖לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
8 of 10
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Historical Context
Benjamin's 29% population increase exceeded even Manasseh's, though from a smaller base. This growth equipped them for their role as Judah's loyal ally. After Solomon, when ten tribes followed Jeroboam, Benjamin stayed with Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:21), providing the southern kingdom with military strength and buffer territory. Paul's claim to be 'of the tribe of Benjamin' (Philippians 3:5) thus carried weight—a small but fierce, loyal tribe.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Benjamin's highest-percentage growth challenge assumptions about 'more fruitful' meaning 'more blessed'—when their territory remained smallest?
- What does Benjamin's later loyalty to Judah suggest about God's providential use of population growth to position tribes for future roles?
- How might Benjamin's story—youngest son, small tribe, huge growth, strategic loyalty—typologically point to faithful remnants who gain disproportionate influence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred (אַרְבָּעִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה אֶלֶף וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת)—Benjamin's count of 45,600 represented a massive 29% increase from the first census (35,400 in Numbers 1:37), one of the highest growth rates among all tribes. The 'son of the right hand' proved fruitful despite his size, vindicating Rachel's hope at his birth (Genesis 35:18).
This population boom prepared Benjamin for strategic importance—their land would include Jerusalem (shared with Judah) and become the only tribe to remain with Judah after the kingdom split (1 Kings 12:21). Their growth from 35,400 to 45,600 showed God's blessing on the youngest of Jacob's sons. Small in territory, fierce in battle, rapid in growth, strategic in position—Benjamin embodied 'the last shall be first' (Matthew 20:16). Their census affirmed them as full covenant partners despite being Jacob's youngest.