Numbers 26:47
These were the clans of Asher, and their registration numbered 53,400.
These were the clans of Asher
The tribe of Asher was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, named after Asher, the eighth son of Jacob and the second son of Zilpah, Leah's maidservant. Asher's name means "happy" or "blessed," reflecting Leah's joy at his birth. The tribe was known for its prosperity and abundance, as prophesied by Jacob in Genesis 49:20, where he speaks of Asher's rich food and royal delicacies. The tribe's territory, located in the northern part of Canaan, was fertile and included parts of the coastal plain, which contributed to its wealth. The clans of Asher were significant in the Israelite community, contributing to the military and social structure of the nation.

and their registration numbered 53,400
This census, taken in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, was the second census of the Israelites, the first being recorded in Numbers 1. The purpose of this census was to prepare for the conquest of Canaan and to allocate land according to the size of each tribe. The number 53,400 indicates a slight increase from the previous census, where Asher had 41,500 men (Numbers 1:41). This growth reflects God's blessing and the tribe's faithfulness. The census also served to organize the community for military purposes, as only men aged 20 and above were counted. The increase in numbers can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:5).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asher
One of the twelve sons of Jacob, whose descendants formed one of the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Asher is known for its prosperity and abundance, as prophesied by Jacob in Genesis 49:20.

2. Imnah
A descendant of Asher, representing one of the clans within the tribe. The Imnite clan is part of the genealogical record that highlights the growth and organization of the Israelite tribes.

3. Ishvi
Another descendant of Asher, leading to the formation of the Ishvite clan. This clan is part of the detailed census taken in the wilderness.

4. Beriah
A descendant of Asher, from whom the Beriite clan originates. The mention of these clans underscores the fulfillment of God's promise to multiply the descendants of Israel.

5. Census in the Wilderness
The event in which Moses and Eleazar the priest conducted a census of the Israelite community, as commanded by God. This census was crucial for organizing the tribes for inheritance and military purposes.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment of Promises
The census of the tribes, including Asher, demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to multiply their descendants.

Importance of Community and Identity
The detailed recording of clans within the tribe of Asher highlights the importance of community and identity within God's people. Each clan had a role and place within the larger community of Israel.

Preparation for Inheritance
The census was not just a record-keeping exercise but a preparation for the distribution of the Promised Land. It reminds us of the importance of being prepared for the inheritance God has for us.

Legacy and Generational Impact
The mention of specific clans within the tribe of Asher encourages us to consider the legacy we leave for future generations and the impact of our faithfulness on our descendants.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the census of the tribe of Asher in Numbers 26:47 reflect God's faithfulness to His promises? Consider the broader context of God's covenant with the patriarchs.

2. In what ways does the detailed recording of clans within the tribe of Asher emphasize the importance of community and identity among God's people?

3. How can the preparation for the inheritance of the Promised Land, as seen in the census, inspire us to prepare for the spiritual inheritance God has for us today?

4. Reflect on the legacy of the clans within the tribe of Asher. What steps can we take to ensure that our faithfulness impacts future generations positively?

5. How do the blessings given to the tribe of Asher in Genesis 49:20 and Deuteronomy 33:24-25 connect with the census record in Numbers 26:47, and what can we learn from these connections about God's provision and care?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 49:20
Jacob's blessing to Asher, highlighting the tribe's future prosperity and abundance, which is reflected in the census as the tribe is counted among the numerous descendants of Israel.

Deuteronomy 33:24-25
Moses' blessing to the tribe of Asher, emphasizing strength and security, which aligns with the tribe's growth and stability as recorded in the census.

1 Chronicles 7:30-40
A genealogical record that provides additional details about the descendants of Asher, showing continuity and the fulfillment of God's promises to the patriarchs.
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
Asher, 400, Families, Fifty, Fifty-three, Hundred, Numbered, Ones, Sons, Thousand
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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