Numbers 26:16

Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:

Numbers 26:16 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the second census of Israel, taken on the plains of Moab by Moses and Eleazar the priest. The people counted were males twenty years old and upward, able to go to war. The census organized Israel by ancestral families as the new generation prepared to enter the Promised Land.

Meaning

The verse names two clans from the tribe of Gad: the Oznites, descended from Ozni, and the Erites, descended from Eri. Gad was one of the twelve sons of Jacob. Each family’s inheritance and role in the nation were tied to their ancestry, so these names mattered deeply. The careful listing shows that God values every family within His covenant community.

Biblical connections

The census also confirmed the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham to multiply his descendants. It prepared the people for the division of the land of Canaan among the tribes and families. The detailed record of each clan, though brief, highlights the meticulous care God takes in preserving His people’s identity and heritage.

Application

Readers today can see that God notices and remembers each person and family. The detailed record reminds us that every believer has a place in God’s plan. We can respond by honoring our own heritage of faith and by trusting that God orders His people with purpose. Just as these clans were counted and named, each of us is known and valued by God.

Reflection

This verse may seem like a simple list, but it carries a profound truth. God’s covenant faithfulness extends to every generation. The names of Ozni and Eri are preserved in Scripture, showing that no child of God is forgotten. Their inclusion encourages us to trust that our lives also matter in God’s unfolding story.