Numbers 26:5

5 Reuben, the first begotten of Israel (Reuben, Israel's first-born); the son of him was Hanoch, of whom came the family of Hanochites; and Pallu, of whom came the family of Palluites;

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 And so Moses and Eleazar, the priest, spake in the field places of Moab, over Jordan, against Jericho, (And so Moses and Eleazar, the priest, spoke on the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River, opposite Jericho,)

4 to them that were of twenty years and above (to those who were twenty years of age and older), as the Lord commanded; of which this is the number.

5 Reuben, the first begotten of Israel (Reuben, Israel's first-born); the son of him was Hanoch, of whom came the family of Hanochites; and Pallu, of whom came the family of Palluites;

6 and Hezron, of whom came the family of Hezronites; and Carmi, of whom came the family of Carmites.

7 These were the families of the generation of Reuben, of which families (all) the number was found (to be) three and forty thousand (and) seven hundred and thirty.