Numbers Chapter 26 · Verse 6
Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
Original Language Analysis
לְחֶצְרֹ֕ן
Of Hezron
H2696
לְחֶצְרֹ֕ן
Of Hezron
Strong's:
H2696
Word #:
1 of 6
chetsron, the name of a place in palestine; also of two israelites
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
the family
H4940
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
the family
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
2 of 6
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
הַֽחֶצְרוֹנִ֑י
of the Hezronites
H2697
הַֽחֶצְרוֹנִ֑י
of the Hezronites
Strong's:
H2697
Word #:
3 of 6
a chetsronite or (collectively) descendants of chetsron
Historical Context
Hezron appears in the Messianic genealogy (Ruth 4:18-19; Matthew 1:3) through Judah's line—a different Hezron than Reuben's son, showing the name's popularity. The family-based social structure provided Israel's basic organizational unit for military, judicial, and religious life. Census records like this enabled accurate land distribution after conquest.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's attention to seemingly mundane genealogical detail reveal His care for ordinary families within the covenant community?
- What does the systematic organization of Israel's tribes teach about God's character as a God of order?
- In what ways does your identity within the church (spiritual family) mirror the clan-based identity of ancient Israel?
Analysis & Commentary
Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites—this verse continues the Reubenite clan enumeration with meticulous genealogical precision. The Hebrew pattern (mishpachat ha-Chezroni, 'family of the Hezronites') adds the gentilicic suffix -i to form clan names, a linguistic marker of kinship identity.
This genealogical detail serves legal functions: land inheritance followed clan divisions (Numbers 26:52-56), and tribal identity determined covenant participation and military organization. The systematic listing reflects God's order and design—He is not a God of chaos but of careful structure (1 Corinthians 14:33). Each name represents not merely statistics but covenant families through whom God preserves His promises.