What is the meaning of Numbers 26:32? Shemidaite clan from Shemida • Numbers 26:32 sits in the second wilderness census, where the LORD commands Moses to count every male twenty years and older for inheritance purposes (Numbers 26:1–4). • “the Shemidaite clan from Shemida” identifies one of six family groups within Manasseh (compare Numbers 26:29–34). • Shemida was a son of Gilead, grandson of Manasseh (Joshua 17:2). His name given twice—first the man, then his clan—shows the direct line from ancestor to household. • By naming the clan, God ensures they receive a fair share of Canaan, fulfilling the promise made to Abraham (Genesis 15:18) and reaffirmed after the exodus (Exodus 6:7–8). • Cross-reference Joshua 17:2: “Also for the descendants of Gilead… the clan of the Shemidaites”. This confirms the Shemidaites later settle land west of the Jordan. • Practical takeaway: Every family matters to God. Nothing escapes His record-keeping, and His faithfulness reaches even the smallest branch of a tribe. Hepherite clan from Hepher • Hepher was another son of Gilead (Numbers 26:32), and the clan bearing his name is notable because of Zelophehad, a descendant who died without sons (Numbers 27:1). • Zelophehad’s daughters successfully ask for their father’s portion, and God grants it (Numbers 27:6-7), later implemented in Joshua 17:3-6. Thus the Hepherites illustrate God’s justice and provision for the vulnerable. • The double naming—man and clan—again underlines legal identity. It proves the daughters’ claim when the land is divided. • Cross-reference 1 Chronicles 7:15-19, where the lineage of Hepher is preserved in later genealogies, showing ongoing recognition of this clan in Israel’s history. • Practical takeaway: God defends inheritance rights and honors faith expressed within a family, even when cultural norms might hinder it. summary Numbers 26:32 does more than list names. By recording “the Shemidaite clan from Shemida, and the Hepherite clan from Hepher,” Scripture affirms that God remembers specific families, secures their inheritance, and keeps covenant promises down to each household. These brief phrases underscore His meticulous care and faithfulness toward all who belong to Him. |
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