Who are the sons of Benjamin listed in this passage?

This passage names the main family lines that came from Benjamin. It lists Bela, Ashbel, Ahiram, Shupham, and Hupham, and then notes that Bela had two sons, Ard and Naaman. Each of these became the head of a family group in the tribe, called Belaites, Ashbelites, Ahiramites, Shuphamites, Huphamites, Ardites, and Naamites. These names show how the whole tribe was made up of real families with roots in one ancestor, Benjamin, and that each family line mattered in Israel’s life together.

Why does the passage list Benjamin’s families by name?

The families of Benjamin are listed by name to show how the tribe was organized and to confirm who belonged to God’s covenant people. Each family line is tied back to an ancestor, which helped with identity, inheritance, and their place among the other tribes. By naming the families, the passage shows that God’s people are not just a crowd of nameless people. He knows their lines, remembers their fathers, and treats each family as part of His plan for the nation.

What is the meaning of the number forty-five thousand six hundred?

The number forty-five thousand six hundred is the total of men from the tribe of Benjamin who were counted in this census. It refers to the fighting-age males, not every person in the tribe. This count shows that Benjamin had grown since the earlier numbering in the wilderness. The increase is a quiet sign of God’s preserving care, even after years of wandering and judgment. It also prepares the way for how much land Benjamin would receive when the land was later divided among the tribes.

Who are Ard and Naaman, and why are they mentioned?

Ard and Naaman are sons of Bela, who himself was a son of Benjamin. The passage notes them because their lines became large enough to be counted as their own family groups, the Ardites and Naamites. This shows that even within the tribe, some branches grew into distinct families. Mentioning Ard and Naaman also reminds readers that God’s promise to grow His people reaches down into individual households, not just the larger tribe. Their names mark God’s care for the next generation within Benjamin.

What does this passage teach about God’s faithfulness to His people?

This passage shows God’s faithfulness in a quiet but clear way. After years of wandering, sin, and judgment in the wilderness, the tribe of Benjamin is still there, made up of many families, and has even grown in number. God has not forgotten His covenant promises or allowed His people to die out. By keeping track of each family line and their numbers, God shows that He preserves His people through time, keeps their identity, and prepares them for the land He has promised.

How does the numbering of Benjamin fit into the bigger story of Israel?

The numbering of Benjamin is one part of a larger census of all the tribes. This happens near the end of the wilderness journey, when a new generation is about to enter the promised land. Counting Benjamin’s families shows that this tribe still has a place among God’s people and will receive land. It also fits into the wider pattern of some tribes shrinking and others growing, which reflects both God’s mercy and His judgment across the nation’s history in the wilderness.

Why does the Bible care so much about family lines like these?

Family lines matter here because God chose to work through a particular people, with real ancestors and descendants. Tracing these lines shows who belongs to the covenant community and who shares in the promises. It also helps keep order in the nation, especially when dividing land and assigning duties. Beyond that, these lists remind us that God’s work in history often moves through families over many years, and that no family that belongs to Him is too small or unimportant to be noticed.

How can a list of Benjamin’s families apply to my life today?

At first, a list of names and numbers can feel distant, but it can encourage you in a few ways. It shows that God sees and remembers people others might overlook. Each family in Benjamin was counted and valued, and the same God knows your name and story. It also reminds you that faith is often passed down through families and communities. You can think about the spiritual heritage you have received, and how you might pass faith on to those who come after you.

Num.26.38

Numbers 26:38

KJV

¶ The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:

The Tribe of Benjamin

¶ The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:

Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.

And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.

These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.