“And of these were the families of the children of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.”
Numbers 26 is a chapter in the book of Numbers, which primarily focuses on the second census of the Israelites in the wilderness. The purpose of this census was to determine the number of men who were fit for military service in each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
In verse 49, the specific tribe being mentioned is Naphtali. The verse states that the families of the children of Naphtali were counted, and their total number was forty-five thousand and four hundred.
Naphtali was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, who became the patriarchs of the twelve tribes of Israel. After the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, they wandered in the wilderness for forty years, and during that time, the population of the tribes increased.
It is important to note that the enumeration of the tribes in the book of Numbers serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it demonstrates God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promise to make the descendants of Abraham as numerous as the stars. Secondly, it establishes the organization and order within the tribes for various purposes, such as the allocation of land, military planning, and distribution of responsibilities.
While this particular verse may not have extensive theological implications on its own, it is part of the broader context of Numbers, which highlights the fulfillment of God’s promises and the orderly structure of the Israelite community.
Overall, Numbers 26:49 provides a snapshot of the tribe of Naphtali’s population at that time and contributes to the overall narrative of the Israelites’ journey in the wilderness.
