Numbers 26:32
the Shemidaite clan from Shemida, and the Hepherite clan from Hepher.
the Shemidaite clan from Shemida
The Shemidaite clan is one of the families within the tribe of Manasseh, one of the sons of Joseph. The name Shemida means "name of knowledge" or "renowned," which may reflect the characteristics or aspirations of this family. The tribe of Manasseh was divided into several clans, each named after a descendant of Manasseh. This division is significant as it reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham regarding the multiplication of his descendants. The Shemidaite clan's mention here underscores the importance of family lineage and inheritance in Israelite society, as land and identity were closely tied to one's clan.

and the Hepherite clan from Hepher
The Hepherite clan is another family within the tribe of Manasseh. Hepher is noted as a descendant of Manasseh, and the name means "a well" or "a pit," which could indicate a geographical feature associated with this family or a characteristic of their ancestral land. The mention of the Hepherite clan is significant in the broader biblical narrative, as Hepher is also the father of Zelophehad, whose daughters famously petitioned Moses for the right to inherit their father's land in the absence of male heirs (Numbers 27:1-11). This event led to a change in the inheritance laws of Israel, highlighting the evolving understanding of justice and equity within the community. The Hepherite clan's inclusion in this census underscores the importance of each family unit in the distribution of the Promised Land, as well as the ongoing fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Shemida
Shemida is one of the descendants of Manasseh, the son of Joseph. The Shemidaite clan is named after him, indicating his role as a patriarchal figure within the tribe of Manasseh.

2. Hepher
Hepher is another descendant of Manasseh, and the Hepherite clan is named after him. He is significant as the father of Zelophehad, whose daughters later play a crucial role in Israelite inheritance laws.

3. The Census of Israel
Numbers 26 records the second census of the Israelites in the wilderness, taken after the plague as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This census is crucial for organizing the tribes and distributing the land.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Lineage and Heritage
Understanding one's heritage and lineage is crucial in the biblical account, as it connects individuals to God's promises and covenants. Reflect on how your spiritual heritage shapes your identity and purpose.

God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment of Promises
The census and subsequent land allotment demonstrate God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Trust in God's faithfulness in your life, even when the fulfillment seems distant.

The Role of Women in God's Plan
The account of Zelophehad's daughters, connected to the Hepherite clan, underscores the value and role of women in God's plan. Consider how God uses both men and women to accomplish His purposes.

Preparation for Inheritance
Just as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, we are called to prepare for our spiritual inheritance. Reflect on how you are preparing for the eternal promises God has for you.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the lineage of Shemida and Hepher enhance our comprehension of God's promises to the tribes of Israel?

2. In what ways does the account of Zelophehad's daughters challenge or affirm your understanding of justice and inheritance in God's kingdom?

3. How can we see God's faithfulness in the census of Numbers 26, and how does this encourage us in our personal walk with God?

4. What lessons can we learn from the preparation of the Israelites to enter the Promised Land that apply to our spiritual journey today?

5. How does the connection between Numbers 26 and Joshua 17 illustrate the fulfillment of God's promises, and how can this inspire us to trust in God's timing and plan?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Joshua 17
This chapter details the allotment of land to the tribe of Manasseh, including the descendants of Shemida and Hepher. It highlights the fulfillment of God's promises to the tribes of Israel.

Numbers 27
The daughters of Zelophehad, from the Hepherite clan, petition Moses for their inheritance rights, leading to a significant legal precedent in Israelite law regarding inheritance.

Genesis 48
This chapter describes Jacob's blessing of Joseph's sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, establishing the tribes that would later be counted in the census.
The Second CensusD. Young Numbers 26:1-62
People
Aaron, Abihu, Abiram, Ahiram, Ahiramites, Amram, Ard, Ardites, Areli, Arelites, Arod, Arodites, Ashbel, Ashbelites, Asher, Asriel, Asrielites, Becher, Becherites, Bela, Belaites, Benjamin, Beriah, Beriites, Berites, Caleb, Carmi, Carmites, Dan, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Elon, Elonites, Enoch, Enochites, Er, Eran, Eranites, Eri, Erites, Gad, Gershon, Gershonites, Gileadites, Guni, Gunites, Haggai, Haggi, Haggites, Hamul, Hamulites, Hanoch, Hanochites, Heber, Heberites, Hebronites, Helek, Helekites, Helkites, Hepher, Hepherites, Hezron, Hezronites, Hoglah, Hupham, Huphamites, Iezerites, Imnah, Imnites, Ishvites, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Jachin, Jachinites, Jahleel, Jahleelites, Jahzeel, Jahzeelites, Jamin, Jaminites, Jashub, Jashubites, Jeezer, Jeezerites, Jephunneh, Jesui, Jesuites, Jezer, Jezerites, Jimna, Jimnah, Jimnites, Jishvites, Jochebed, Joseph, Joshua, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Korathites, Levi, Levites, Libnites, Machir, Machirites, Mahlah, Mahlites, Malchiel, Malchielites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Milcah, Miriam, Moses, Mushites, Naaman, Naamites, Nadab, Naphtali, Nemuel, Nemuelites, Noah, Nun, Onan, Ozni, Oznites, Pallu, Palluites, Perez, Perezites, Phallu, Phalluites, Pharez, Pua, Puah, Punites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sarah, Sardites, Saul, Saulites, Serah, Sered, Seredites, Shaul, Shaulites, Shechemites, Shelah, Shelanites, Shemida, Shemidaites, Shillem, Shillemites, Shimron, Shimronites, Shuham, Shuhamites, Shuni, Shunites, Shupham, Shuphamites, Shuthelah, Shuthelahites, Simeon, Simeonites, Tahan, Tahanites, Tirzah, Tola, Tolaites, Zarhites, Zebulun, Zebulunites, Zelophehad, Zephon, Zephonites, Zerah, Zerahites
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Peor, Sinai
Topics
Clan, Family, Hepher, Hepherite, Hepherites, He'pherites, Shemida, Shemi'da, Shemidaite, Shemidaites, Shemi'daites
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 26:1-61

     5671   clan

Numbers 26:1-62

     7230   genealogies

Numbers 26:1-65

     5249   census

Numbers 26:12-50

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Training of a Statesman.
MOSES IN EGYPT AND THE WILDERNESS.--EX. 1:1; 7:5. Parallel Readings. Goodnow, F. J., Comparative Administrative Law. Hist. Bible I, 151-69. And he went out on the following day and saw two men of the Hebrews striving together; and he said to the one who was doing the wrong, Why do you smite your fellow-workman? But he replied, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and said, Surely the thing is known. When, therefore,
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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