“And all the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.”
Numbers 26:43 is part of a chapter that records the second census of the Israelites in the wilderness. The context of this verse is that the Israelites were nearing the end of their forty-year period of wandering in the wilderness and were preparing to enter the Promised Land.
In this specific verse, the focus is on the family of Shuham, which is one of the families or clans among the Israelites. According to the census, the Shuhamites numbered sixty-four thousand and four hundred individuals.
This verse provides us with a glimpse into the organization of the Israelite community. The division into families or clans was an essential aspect of their social structure. Each family had its own distinct identity and heritage. The size of a particular clan, as recorded in the census, was an indication of their population and strength.
While this verse may seem relatively straightforward and informational, it serves as a reminder of God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to multiply the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The large numbers recorded in the census highlight the fulfillment of God’s covenant with the Israelites to make them a great nation.
Overall, Numbers 26:43 offers a snapshot of the Shuhamite clan’s population at that time, emphasizing the divine fulfillment of God’s promise to multiply the Israelites.