Numbers 26:31
the Asrielite clan from Asriel, the Shechemite clan from Shechem,
the Asrielite clan from Asriel
The Asrielite clan is named after Asriel, a descendant of Manasseh, one of Joseph's sons. This connection to Joseph is significant, as Joseph's lineage is often associated with blessings and prosperity, as seen in Genesis 49:22-26. The tribe of Manasseh was one of the two half-tribes that received land on both sides of the Jordan River, indicating their importance and size. Asriel's name means "God is my help," reflecting a common theme in Israelite names that emphasize reliance on God. The Asrielites, as part of the larger tribe of Manasseh, would have shared in the inheritance of land and the responsibilities of maintaining the covenant with God.

the Shechemite clan from Shechem
The Shechemite clan is named after Shechem, a significant city in biblical history. Shechem was located in the hill country of Ephraim and served as an early center of Israelite worship and governance. It is the site where God first appeared to Abraham in Canaan (Genesis 12:6-7) and where Jacob settled and built an altar (Genesis 33:18-20). Shechem was also the location of the covenant renewal under Joshua (Joshua 24:1-25). The Shechemites, therefore, are linked to a place of deep historical and spiritual significance for the Israelites. The city of Shechem later became a Levitical city and a city of refuge, highlighting its continued importance in Israel's religious and social structure.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asriel
Asriel is identified as the progenitor of the Asrielite clan. The name Asriel means "God is my help" in Hebrew, reflecting a reliance on divine assistance.

2. Shechem
Shechem is both a person and a place. As a person, Shechem is the ancestor of the Shechemite clan. The name Shechem means "shoulder" or "ridge" in Hebrew, often associated with strength and support. As a place, Shechem is a significant city in biblical history, located in the hill country of Ephraim.

3. The Census of Israel
Numbers 26 records the second census of the Israelites in the wilderness, taken after the plague as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This census is crucial for organizing the tribes and distributing the land.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Heritage
Understanding our spiritual heritage can provide insight into our identity and purpose. Just as the Israelites traced their lineage, Christians can reflect on their spiritual ancestry in Christ.

God's Faithfulness in Fulfillment
The census in Numbers 26 demonstrates God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham about multiplying his descendants. Believers can trust in God's promises for their lives.

The Significance of Names
In biblical times, names often carried deep meanings and reflected character or destiny. Reflect on the significance of your name and identity in Christ.

The Role of Community
The organization of the tribes into clans underscores the importance of community and belonging. Christians are called to be part of a spiritual family, supporting and encouraging one another.

Preparation for Inheritance
Just as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land, believers are called to prepare for their spiritual inheritance in Christ, living lives that reflect His kingdom values.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding the meaning of names like Asriel and Shechem enhance our understanding of biblical accounts and their significance?

2. In what ways does the census in Numbers 26 demonstrate God's faithfulness, and how can this encourage us in our personal walk with God?

3. How can reflecting on our spiritual heritage in Christ impact our identity and purpose as believers?

4. What lessons can we learn from the role of community in the organization of the Israelite tribes, and how can we apply these lessons to our church communities today?

5. How can we actively prepare for our spiritual inheritance in Christ, and what practical steps can we take to live out kingdom values in our daily lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 34
The account of Shechem, the son of Hamor, who defiled Dinah, Jacob's daughter, connects to the Shechemite clan. This event led to significant conflict and repercussions for the family of Jacob.

Joshua 24
Shechem is the location where Joshua renews the covenant with Israel, emphasizing its importance as a place of commitment and decision for the Israelites.

Judges 9
The city of Shechem plays a central role in the account of Abimelech, highlighting its ongoing significance in Israel's history.
The Second CensusD. Young Numbers 26:1-62
People
Aaron, Abihu, Abiram, Ahiram, Ahiramites, Amram, Ard, Ardites, Areli, Arelites, Arod, Arodites, Ashbel, Ashbelites, Asher, Asriel, Asrielites, Becher, Becherites, Bela, Belaites, Benjamin, Beriah, Beriites, Berites, Caleb, Carmi, Carmites, Dan, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Elon, Elonites, Enoch, Enochites, Er, Eran, Eranites, Eri, Erites, Gad, Gershon, Gershonites, Gileadites, Guni, Gunites, Haggai, Haggi, Haggites, Hamul, Hamulites, Hanoch, Hanochites, Heber, Heberites, Hebronites, Helek, Helekites, Helkites, Hepher, Hepherites, Hezron, Hezronites, Hoglah, Hupham, Huphamites, Iezerites, Imnah, Imnites, Ishvites, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Jachin, Jachinites, Jahleel, Jahleelites, Jahzeel, Jahzeelites, Jamin, Jaminites, Jashub, Jashubites, Jeezer, Jeezerites, Jephunneh, Jesui, Jesuites, Jezer, Jezerites, Jimna, Jimnah, Jimnites, Jishvites, Jochebed, Joseph, Joshua, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Korathites, Levi, Levites, Libnites, Machir, Machirites, Mahlah, Mahlites, Malchiel, Malchielites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Milcah, Miriam, Moses, Mushites, Naaman, Naamites, Nadab, Naphtali, Nemuel, Nemuelites, Noah, Nun, Onan, Ozni, Oznites, Pallu, Palluites, Perez, Perezites, Phallu, Phalluites, Pharez, Pua, Puah, Punites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sarah, Sardites, Saul, Saulites, Serah, Sered, Seredites, Shaul, Shaulites, Shechemites, Shelah, Shelanites, Shemida, Shemidaites, Shillem, Shillemites, Shimron, Shimronites, Shuham, Shuhamites, Shuni, Shunites, Shupham, Shuphamites, Shuthelah, Shuthelahites, Simeon, Simeonites, Tahan, Tahanites, Tirzah, Tola, Tolaites, Zarhites, Zebulun, Zebulunites, Zelophehad, Zephon, Zephonites, Zerah, Zerahites
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Peor, Sinai
Topics
Asriel, As'riel, Asrielite, Asrielites, As'rielites, Clan, Family, Shechem, Shechemite, Shechemites, She'chemites
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 26:1-61

     5671   clan

Numbers 26:1-62

     7230   genealogies

Numbers 26:1-65

     5249   census

Numbers 26:12-50

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Training of a Statesman.
MOSES IN EGYPT AND THE WILDERNESS.--EX. 1:1; 7:5. Parallel Readings. Goodnow, F. J., Comparative Administrative Law. Hist. Bible I, 151-69. And he went out on the following day and saw two men of the Hebrews striving together; and he said to the one who was doing the wrong, Why do you smite your fellow-workman? But he replied, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and said, Surely the thing is known. When, therefore,
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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