Numbers 26:20
Numbers 26:20 in Multiple Translations
These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah.
And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.
And the sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites.
And the sons of Judah by their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelahites: of Perez, the family of the Perezites: of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites.
Shelah, ancestor of the Shelanite family; Perez, ancestor of the Perezite family; Zerah, ancestor of the Zerahite family.
So were the sonnes of Iudah after their families: of Shelah came the familie of ye Shelanites: of Pharez, the familie of the Pharzites, of Zerah, the familie of the Zarhites.
And sons of Judah, by their families, are: of Shelah the family of the Shelanite; of Pharez the family of the Pharzite; of Zerah the family of the Zarhite;
The sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites.
And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharezites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.
And the sons of Juda by their kindreds were: Sela, of whom is the family of the Selaites: Phares, of whom is the family of the Pharesites: Zare, of whom is the family of the Zarites.
Berean Amplified Bible — Numbers 26:20
BAB
Word Study
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Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Numbers 26:20 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּהְי֣וּ
בְנֵי
יְהוּדָה֮
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ/ם֒
לְ/שֵׁלָ֗ה
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙
הַ/שֵּׁ֣לָנִ֔י
לְ/פֶ֕רֶץ
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
הַ/פַּרְצִ֑י
לְ/זֶ֕רַח
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
הַ/זַּרְחִֽי
וַ/יִּהְי֣וּ
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בְנֵי
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
יְהוּדָה֮
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ/ם֒
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
Prep | N-fp | Suff
לְ/שֵׁלָ֗ה
Shêlâh
H7956
Shelah
Prep | N-proper
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fs
הַ/שֵּׁ֣לָנִ֔י
Shêlânîy
H8024
Shelanite
Art | Ngmsa
לְ/פֶ֕רֶץ
Perets
H6557
Perez
Prep | N-proper
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fs
הַ/פַּרְצִ֑י
Partsîy
H6558
Perezite
Art | Ngmsa
לְ/זֶ֕רַח
Zerach
H2226
Zerah
Prep | N-proper
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
mishpâchâh
H4940
family
N-fs
הַ/זַּרְחִֽי
Zarchîy
H2227
Zerahite
Art | Ngmsa
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Numbers 26:20
וַ/יִּהְי֣וּ
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בְנֵי
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
יְהוּדָה֮
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
לְ/מִשְׁפְּחֹתָ/ם֒
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
Prep | N-fp | Suff
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
לְ/שֵׁלָ֗ה
Shêlâh
H7956
"Shelah"
Prep | N-proper
Shelah was a man in the Bible, the son of Judah and Bath-shua, and is mentioned in Genesis 38:5. He was a patriarch and had several sons, including Er and Laadah.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.38.5; son of: Judah (H3063) and Bath-shua (H1323I); brother of: Er (H6147) and Onan (H0209); half-brother of: Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I); father of: Er (H6147H), Laadah (H3935), Jokim (H3137), Joash (H3101K) and Saraph (H8315); also called Shelanite at Num.26.20; Also named: she.la.ni (שֵׁלָנִי "Shelanite" H8024) § Shelah = "a petition" the youngest son of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: Shelah. See also: Genesis 38:5; Genesis 46:12; 1 Chronicles 4:21.
מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
N-fs
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הַ/שֵּׁ֣לָנִ֔י
Shêlânîy
H8024
"Shelanite"
Art | Ngmsa
The Shelanites were a group of people descended from Shelah, a man from the tribe of Judah who lived during the time of the wilderness. They are mentioned in Genesis 38:5 and Numbers 26:20.
Definition: Someone descended from Shelah who was a man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.38.5; son of: Judah (H3063) and Bath-shua (H1323I); brother of: Er (H6147) and Onan (H0209); half-brother of: Perez (H6557) and Zerah (H2226I); father of: Er (H6147H), Laadah (H3935), Jokim (H3137), Joash (H3101K) and Saraph (H8315); also called Shelanite at Num.26.20; Group of she.lah (שֵׁלָה "Shelah" H7956) § Shelanites, of Shelah "quietness" a descendant of Shelah
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Shelanites. See also: Numbers 26:20.
לְ/פֶ֕רֶץ
Perets
H6557
"Perez"
Prep | N-proper
Perez was an Israelite, the son of Judah and Tamar, and the twin brother of Zerah. His name means breach, and he was an ancestor of two families of Judah, the Hezronites and the Hamulites.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.38.29; son of: Judah (H3063) and Tamar (H8559); brother of: Zerah (H2226I); half-brother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956); father of: Hezron (H2696H) and Hamul (H2538) § Perez or Pharez = "breach" twin son with Zarah of Judah by Tamar and ancestor of two families of Judah, the Hezronites and Hamulites; from the Hezronites came the royal line of David and Christ
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: Perez, Pharez. See also: Genesis 38:29; 1 Chronicles 2:4; Nehemiah 11:6.
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
N-fs
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הַ/פַּרְצִ֑י
Partsîy
H6558
"Perezite"
Art | Ngmsa
A Perezite is a descendant of Perez, who was a man of the tribe of Judah. The Perezites are mentioned in the Bible as a group of people who came from Perez, whose name means breach or breakthrough.
Definition: Someone descended from Perez who was a man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.38.29; son of: Judah (H3063) and Tamar (H8559); brother of: Zerah (H2226I); half-brother of: Er (H6147), Onan (H0209) and Shelah (H7956); father of: Hezron (H2696H) and Hamul (H2538) Group of pe.rets (פֶּ֫רֶץ "Perez" H6557) § Pharzites, of Pharez "breach" the descendants of Pharez, the son of Judah by Tamar
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: Pharzites. See also: Numbers 26:20.
לְ/זֶ֕רַח
Zerach
H2226
"Zerah"
Prep | N-proper
Zerach was a man in the Bible, mentioned in Genesis and Numbers. He was a son of Simeon and had several brothers. The name Zerach means 'rising' and is also used for other people in the Bible.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Simeon living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.10; son of: Simeon (H8095); brother of: Jemuel (H3223), Jamin (H3226), Ohad (H0161), Jachin (H3199) and Shaul (H7586H); also called Zerah at Num.26.13,20; 2x27.11,13; § Zerah or Zarah = "rising" 1) a son of Reuel and grandson of Esau, one of the dukes of the Edomites 2) twin brother of Pharez, sons of Judah and Tamar; descendants are called Zarhites, Ezrahites, and Izrahites 3) son of Simeon; also called 'Zohar' 4) a Gershonite Levite, son of Iddo of Adaiah 5) the Ethiopian or Cushite, invader of Judah in the reign of Asa who defeated the invaders; probably the same as the Egyptian king Usarken I, second king of the Egyptian 22nd dynasty or perhaps more probably Usarken II, his 2nd successor 6) another Edomite leader; possibly same as 1
Usage: Occurs in 21 OT verses. KJV: Zarah, Zerah. See also: Genesis 36:13; Joshua 22:20; Nehemiah 11:24.
מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת
mishpâchâh
H4940
"family"
N-fs
This word refers to a family or clan, and can also mean a tribe or nation, such as the people of Israel, emphasizing the importance of family ties.
Definition: 1) clan, family 1a) clan 1a1) family 1a2) tribe 1a3) people, nation 1b) guild 1c) species, kind 1d) aristocrats
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: family, kind(-red). See also: Genesis 8:19; Numbers 26:41; Esther 9:28.
הַ/זַּרְחִֽי
Zarchîy
H2227
"Zerahite"
Art | Ngmsa
A Zerahite is a descendant of Zerach, a man from the tribe of Simeon. The Zerahites are mentioned in the Bible as a family group. In the KJV, they're referred to as 'Zarchites'.
Definition: Someone descended from Zerah who was a man of the tribe of Simeon living at the time of Egypt and Wilderness, first mentioned at Gen.46.10; son of: Simeon (H8095); brother of: Jemuel (H3223), Jamin (H3226), Ohad (H0161), Jachin (H3199) and Shaul (H7586H); also called Zerah at Num.26.13,20; 2x27.11,13; Group of ze.rach (זֶ֫רַח "Zerah" H2226L) § Zarhites , of Zerah descendants of Zerah
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: Zarchite. See also: Numbers 26:13; Joshua 7:17; 1 Chronicles 27:13.
Study Notes — Numbers 26:20
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — The Tribe of Judah
18These were the clans of Gad, and their registration numbered 40,500.
19The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan.
20These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah.
21And these were the descendants of Perez: the Hezronite clan from Hezron and the Hamulite clan from Hamul. 22These were the clans of Judah, and their registration numbered 76,500.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nehemiah 11:24 | Pethahiah son of Meshezabel, a descendant of Zerah son of Judah, was the king’s agent in every matter concerning the people. |
| 2 | Genesis 46:12 | The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, Shelah, Perez, and Zerah; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. |
| 3 | Luke 3:33 | the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 4:21 | The sons of Shelah son of Judah: Er the father of Lecah, Laadah the father of Mareshah and the clans of the linen workers at Beth-ashbea, |
| 5 | Nehemiah 11:6 | The descendants of Perez who settled in Jerusalem totaled 468 men of valor. |
| 6 | Ruth 4:18–22 | Now these are the generations of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron was the father of Ram, Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab was the father of Nahshon, Nahshon was the father of Salmon, Salmon was the father of Boaz, Boaz was the father of Obed, Obed was the father of Jesse, and Jesse was the father of David. |
| 7 | Genesis 38:26–30 | Judah recognized the items and said, “She is more righteous than I, since I did not give her to my son Shelah.” And he did not have relations with her again. When the time came for Tamar to give birth, there were twins in her womb. And as she was giving birth, one of them put out his hand; so the midwife took a scarlet thread and tied it around his wrist. “This one came out first,” she announced. But when he pulled his hand back and his brother came out, she said, “You have broken out first!” So he was named Perez. Then his brother came out with the scarlet thread around his wrist, and he was named Zerah. |
| 8 | Genesis 38:11 | Then Judah said to his daughter-in-law Tamar, “Live as a widow in your father’s house until my son Shelah grows up.” For he thought, “He may die too, like his brothers.” So Tamar went to live in her father’s house. |
| 9 | Genesis 38:14 | she removed her widow’s garments, covered her face with a veil to disguise herself, and sat at the entrance to Enaim, which is on the way to Timnah. For she saw that although Shelah had grown up, she had not been given to him as a wife. |
| 10 | 1 Chronicles 2:3–8 | The sons of Judah: Er, Onan, and Shelah. These three were born to him by Bath-shua the Canaanite. Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD, who put him to death. Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law, bore to him Perez and Zerah. Judah had five sons in all. The sons of Perez: Hezron and Hamul. The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara —five in all. The son of Carmi: Achar, who brought trouble upon Israel by violating the ban on devoted things. The son of Ethan: Azariah. |
Numbers 26:20 Summary
[This verse is talking about the families of Judah, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. It lists the different clans, or groups, within Judah's family, including the Shelanite, Perezite, and Zerahite clans. This is important because it shows how God values family and community, as seen in passages like Psalms 127:3-5 and Genesis 12:1-3. By understanding these family relationships, we can better appreciate God's plan for His people and our own place in it, as seen in Numbers 26:1-51 and Deuteronomy 1:7-8.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Numbers 26:20 list the descendants of Judah by their clans?
This is because God instructed Moses to take a census of the Israelites by their clans and families, as seen in Numbers 1:2-4 and Numbers 26:1-4, to determine their military strength and organization.
What happened to the sons of Judah, Er and Onan, mentioned in the previous verse?
According to Numbers 26:19 and Genesis 38:7-10, Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan, but their descendants continued through their brother Shelah and other family members.
How does this verse relate to the larger story of the Israelites in the book of Numbers?
Numbers 26:20 is part of the second census of the Israelites, which takes place near the end of their wilderness journey, as seen in Numbers 26:1-51, and it helps to establish the new generation's tribal structure and leadership before they enter the Promised Land, as promised in Deuteronomy 1:7-8.
What can we learn about God's plan for families and clans from this verse?
This verse shows that God values family and clan relationships, as seen in Numbers 26:20 and other passages like Psalms 127:3-5, and He often works through these relationships to accomplish His plans and purposes, as demonstrated in the lives of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the book of Genesis.
Reflection Questions
- How does my family or clan fit into God's larger plan, and what role do I play in it?
- What can I learn from the example of Judah's descendants, who continued to thrive despite the loss of Er and Onan?
- In what ways can I honor God by being faithful to my own family and community, as seen in this verse and other passages like Ephesians 6:1-4?
- How can I trust God to work through my own family and relationships, even in difficult or challenging circumstances, as seen in the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50?
Gill's Exposition on Numbers 26:20
[See comments on Numbers 26:19]
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 26:20
The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.
Cambridge Bible on Numbers 26:20
5–51. The twelve secular tribes are numbered, the sacred tribe of Levi being omitted. The names are based upon Genesis 46:8-27, but with the addition of Ephraim and Manasseh, who, having been born in Egypt, could not be reckoned in Gen. among those who went down into Egypt. The total number at the first census, thirty-eight years before (ch. 1) was 603,550; now it Isaiah 601,730. The order of the tribes is the same, except that Manasseh (Numbers 26:29-34) precedes Ephraim (Numbers 26:35-37). Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim and Naphtali have decreased in numbers, while the other seven have increased. The impossibility of the figures is shewn in note on Numbers 1:46.
Sermons on Numbers 26:20
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Introducing Naomi and Ruth by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith introduces the book of Ruth by exploring the lives of Naomi and Ruth against the backdrop of the moral decay during the time of the Judges in Israel. He emphasizes how |
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God's Dealing With Sin and the Sinner by Horatius Bonar | Horatius Bonar emphasizes God's serious and decisive approach to sin and the sinner, illustrated through the fate of Er, the first-born of Judah, who was slain by God for his wicke |