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Numbers 26:45 - Tribal lineage defines identity?

Numbers 26:45 - במדבר 26:45

Hebrew Text

לִבְנֵי בְרִיעָה לְחֶבֶר מִשְׁפַּחַת הַחֶבְרִי לְמַלְכִּיאֵל מִשְׁפַּחַת הַמַּלְכִּיאֵלִי׃

English Translation

Of the sons of Beri῾a: of Ḥever, the family of the Ḥevri: of Malki᾽el, the family of the Malki᾽eli.

Transliteration

Livnei Vri'a leChever mishpachat haChevri leMalchi'el mishpachat haMalchi'eli.

Hebrew Leining Text

לִבְנֵ֣י בְרִיעָ֔ה לְחֶ֕בֶר מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַֽחֶבְרִ֑י לְמַ֨לְכִּיאֵ֔ל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַמַּלְכִּיאֵלִֽי׃
לִבְנֵ֣י בְרִיעָ֔ה לְחֶ֕בֶר מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַֽחֶבְרִ֑י לְמַ֨לְכִּיאֵ֔ל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַמַּלְכִּיאֵלִֽי׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Bamidbar

This verse appears in Bamidbar 26:45 as part of the census of the tribes of Israel conducted in the plains of Moav before entering Eretz Yisrael. The verse lists descendants of Asher through his son Beri'a, specifically mentioning the families of Chever and Malki'el.

Rashi's Commentary

Rashi explains that these names represent family divisions within the tribe of Asher. The term mishpachat (family) refers to subdivisions of the tribe, showing how the descendants of Beri'a branched into distinct familial groups. Rashi emphasizes that each family maintained its unique identity even as part of the larger tribal structure.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra notes that the naming pattern ("Chever" becoming "HaChevri," "Malki'el" becoming "HaMalki'eli") follows a grammatical convention in Hebrew where family names are formed by adding the suffix "-i" to the patriarch's name. This linguistic pattern appears throughout the Torah's genealogical lists.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Sifrei connects these names to their meanings:

  • Chever: From the root meaning "to connect," suggesting this family served as unifiers within the tribe.
  • Malki'el: Meaning "my king is God," indicating this family was particularly devoted to Divine service.

Halachic Significance

Rambam (Hilchot Shemitta V'Yovel 10:4) derives from such verses that tribal and familial lineage was crucial for determining land inheritance in Eretz Yisrael. The precise recording of these families ensured proper allocation of tribal territories according to the Torah's commandments.

Chassidic Perspective

The Kedushat Levi teaches that each family name represents a unique spiritual path in serving Hashem. The diversity within the tribe of Asher demonstrates how different approaches to avodat Hashem can coexist within klal Yisrael when rooted in Torah truth.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of listing family names in Numbers 26:45?
A: In Numbers 26:45, the Torah lists the families descended from Beri'a, specifically Hever and Malki'el, as part of the census of the Israelites in the wilderness. According to Rashi and other commentators, this census was important for organizing the tribes, allocating land in Eretz Yisrael, and understanding the lineage of the Jewish people. Each family name preserves their unique identity and connection to the larger nation.
Q: Why does the Torah mention the 'family of the Hevri' and 'family of the Malki'eli'?
A: The Torah specifies these family names (Hevri and Malki'eli) to highlight the divisions within the tribe of Asher (as Beri'a was a son of Asher). The Midrash teaches that every family had its own role and merit within the Jewish people. Rambam explains that such details reinforce the Torah’s precision in recording ancestry, which was crucial for tribal inheritance and maintaining the sanctity of Jewish lineage.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the mention of these families in the Torah?
A: The mention of these families teaches us the importance of every individual and family within the Jewish nation. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 37a) states that each person is an entire world, and the Torah’s attention to detail shows that every family contributes uniquely to the collective mission of Klal Yisrael. This teaches us to value our heritage and our role in continuing the Jewish tradition.
Q: How does this verse connect to the broader theme of Numbers 26?
A: Numbers 26 records the census of the Israelites before entering the Land of Israel. Listing families like Hever and Malki'el (verse 45) emphasizes that the land was to be apportioned based on tribal and family lineage (Rashi on Numbers 26:53). This system ensured fairness and maintained the divine promise to the ancestors of each tribe, as explained in the Talmud (Bava Batra 117a).