Numbers 26:49

Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.

Numbers 26:49 (KJV)

Context

This verse belongs to the second census of Israel, taken by Moses and Eleazar the priest on the plains of Moab. The people were about to enter the Promised Land, and this count prepared the new generation to receive their inheritance. The surrounding lines show that Jezer and Shillem were sons of Naphtali, whose families are listed with the other clans of that tribe.

Meaning

The verse names two clans: the Jezerites, descended from Jezer, and the Shillemites, descended from Shillem. These names also appear in Genesis 46:24 and 1 Chronicles 7:13, confirming their place in Israel’s tribal records. The text gives no motives or character judgments; it simply preserves the identity and continuity of these families.

Biblical connections

This census was not merely administrative. It fulfilled God’s promise to Abraham that his descendants would become a great nation, and it replaced the generation that had died in the wilderness. Each family’s inclusion shows that God values every clan, not only prominent leaders. The order and structure of the census also prepared the tribal allotments of land, so that each family would receive its portion.

Application

A faithful response is careful attention. Readers should receive the record as written, avoid inventing details beyond it, and allow the surrounding genealogy to explain each person’s place. God knows His people by name and cares for every family line. This verse reminds us that His promises pass down through generations, and each generation must trust and obey Him to receive the inheritance.

Reflection

Though Jezer and Shillem are not prominent elsewhere, their names are recorded here as part of the faithful lineage of Israel. Their presence shows that every member of God’s people has significance in His redemptive history.