Numbers 26:42
These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
Original Language Analysis
בְנֵי
These are the sons
H1121
בְנֵי
These are the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
דָּ֖ן
of Dan
H1835
דָּ֖ן
of Dan
Strong's:
H1835
Word #:
3 of 11
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃
These are the families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
4 of 11
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
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃
These are the families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
6 of 11
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
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃
These are the families
H4940
לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם׃
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
9 of 11
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
Cross References
Historical Context
Dan descended from Rachel's handmaid Bilhah. Though Rachel's direct son Joseph produced two tribes (Ephraim and Manasseh), her handmaid's son produced the second-largest single tribe. This census occurred 38 years after the first (Numbers 1), where Dan numbered 62,700—an increase of 1,700 despite wilderness judgments.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Dan's growth from one family line demonstrate that God measures blessing by faithfulness, not by initial advantages?
- What does the preservation of single lineages teach about God's ability to multiply the remnant?
- How might Dan's increase despite limited family structure encourage those from small or broken family backgrounds?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites—Dan's census records only one surviving family line (שׁוּחָם), though Genesis 46:23 mentions Hushim. Either Shuham and Hushim are variant names for the same son, or other sons died without descendants. Dan's single clan grew remarkably: 64,400 men, making it the second-largest tribe. From one seed came a multitude—God's blessing doesn't depend on multiple starting points.
The repetition These are the families of Dan after their families (מִשְׁפְּחֹת דָּן) emphasizes tribal completeness despite minimal subdivision. Quality over quantity in lineages: one faithful line can become a mighty nation.