Numbers 26:7
These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
Original Language Analysis
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת
These are the families
H4940
מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת
These are the families
Strong's:
H4940
Word #:
2 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
הָרֻֽאוּבֵנִ֑י
of the Reubenites
H7206
הָרֻֽאוּבֵנִ֑י
of the Reubenites
Strong's:
H7206
Word #:
3 of 11
a reubenite or descendant of reuben
וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ
H1961
וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
4 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
פְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֗ם
and they that were numbered
H6485
פְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֗ם
and they that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
5 of 11
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
and three
H7969
שְׁלֹשָׁ֤ה
and three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
6 of 11
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
אֶ֔לֶף
thousand
H505
אֶ֔לֶף
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
8 of 11
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וּשְׁבַ֥ע
and seven
H7651
וּשְׁבַ֥ע
and seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
9 of 11
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
Historical Context
Reuben's tribal territory would be east of the Jordan in Gilead (Numbers 32), along with Gad and half of Manasseh. The tribe faced constant threats from Moabite neighbors and eventually disappeared from historical records after the Assyrian captivity. The decline from 46,500 to 43,730 fighting men suggests significant losses during the 38 wilderness years.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Reuben's numerical decline yet continued covenant inclusion demonstrate that God's faithfulness does not depend on human strength or numbers?
- What do the specific census numbers reveal about God's intimate knowledge of His people?
- When your spiritual community experiences decline or setback, how does God's covenant promise sustain hope?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty (43,730)—this tribal total represents a decrease from the first census (46,500 in Numbers 1:21), a reduction of 2,770 men. Reuben's numerical decline may reflect divine judgment, including the Dathan and Abiram rebellion from this tribe (Numbers 16:1; 26:9-11).
The precision of the count—43,730, not a rounded number—emphasizes historical accuracy and God's comprehensive knowledge: the LORD knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19). Despite Reuben's diminished numbers and lost birthright, the tribe survives and receives land east of the Jordan (Numbers 32). God's covenant is not conditional on numerical success but on His sovereign faithfulness.