Numbers 26:5

The Tribe of Reuben

5 Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu,

Numbers 26:5 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 26:5

Reuben, the eldest son of Israel
the number of his tribe is taken first on that account; there were four families that descended from him, the Hanochite, Palluite, Hesronite, and Carmite, and the number of men from twenty years old and upwards, fit for war, were 43,730; so that, since the last numbering, this tribe was decreased 2770; which may in part be accounted for by the families of Dathan and Abiram being cut off for their rebellion, who were this tribe, and whose affair is briefly related in the following verses, and it may be to point out this unto us.

Numbers 26:5 In-Context

3 So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction,

4 “Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt:

5 Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu,

6 the Hezronite clan from Hezron, and the Carmite clan from Carmi.

7 These were the clans of Reuben, and their registration numbered 43,730.