Numbers 26:44
Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֣י
Of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
Of 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
אָשֵׁר֮
of Asher
H836
אָשֵׁר֮
of Asher
Strong's:
H836
Word #:
2 of 12
asher, a son of jacob, and the tribe descended from him, with its territory; also a place in palestine
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
הַיִּמְנָ֔ה
of Jimna
H3232
הַיִּמְנָ֔ה
of Jimna
Strong's:
H3232
Word #:
4 of 12
jimnah, the name of two israelites; also (with the article) of the posterity of one of them
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
הַיִּמְנָ֔ה
of Jimna
H3232
הַיִּמְנָ֔ה
of Jimna
Strong's:
H3232
Word #:
6 of 12
jimnah, the name of two israelites; also (with the article) of the posterity of one of them
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
הַיִּשְׁוִ֑י
of the Jesuites
H3441
הַיִּשְׁוִ֑י
of the Jesuites
Strong's:
H3441
Word #:
9 of 12
a jishvite (collectively) or descendants of jishvi
Historical Context
Asher received the northernmost coastal territory, the most fertile land in Israel (Deuteronomy 33:24). Though from a handmaid, Asher's blessing exceeded some of Leah's direct sons. This census enumerated the families who would inherit that rich olive-oil country stretching to Phoenicia.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the inclusion and blessing of handmaid-descended tribes challenge human hierarchies of legitimacy and worth?
- Why does God record family names like Beriah ("in trouble")—what hope does this offer to those born in difficult circumstances?
- What does Asher's blessing despite his mother's servant status teach about spiritual inheritance in Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The children of Asher after their families—Asher (אָשֵׁר, "happy/blessed") was Leah's handmaid Zilpah's son, yet his tribal blessing rivals the prestigious tribes. The listing of families—Jimna (יִמְנָה), Jesui (יִשְׁוִי), Beriah (בְּרִיעָה)—establishes inheritance rights. Each clan name carries meaning: Beriah means "in evil/trouble," perhaps commemorating birth circumstances, yet this "troubled" line survived to possess land.
The systematic recording of patronymic families (הַיִּמְנָה מִשְׁפַּחַת הַיִּמְנִי) demonstrates covenant precision. God doesn't blur lineages into generic "Asher"; each sub-clan receives specific identity and inheritance. Your spiritual heritage matters to God—He distinguishes between the Jimnites and Jesuites.