This verse highlights the specific families descended from the Gadite patriarchs, underscoring God’s attention to detail in preserving Israel’s lineage.
Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites; (v.16). This verse is part of a larger census Moses took of the Israelite community in the wilderness. Moses, who lived around 1526-1406 BC, recorded this count to identify the military strength and inheritance rights of each tribe as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Here, the verse highlights the lineage within the tribe of Gad by specifying two sons, Ozni and Eri, and the families that descended from each. The family names “Oznites” and “Erites” are direct references to these patriarchs’ descendants, emphasizing the importance of individual clans in Israel’s structure.
In Numbers 26, the Israelites are camped in the plains of Moab, a region east of the Jordan River, across from Jericho. The area of Moab features rolling hills and plateaus, providing vantage points from which Israel could look toward Canaan. The census in this chapter underscores how God was continuing to guide His people, preserving each family line. While Ozni and Eri may not be as prominent as some other biblical figures, their mere presence in Scripture reflects how meticulously the Lord values each individual and each lineage (Matthew 10:30). The genealogical records would eventually play a significant role in Israel’s journey and the distribution of the land.
Such detailed genealogies also point to the broader biblical theme of God’s redemptive plan, signaling that He orchestrates history—and each family within it—for His purposes. Though the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came specifically through the line of Judah (Matthew 1:1-3), the comprehensive record of all tribes in Numbers demonstrates God’s inclusive attention to the entire covenant community. Each family’s identity rooted them in promises that would find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
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Numbers 26:16 meaning
Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites; (v.16). This verse is part of a larger census Moses took of the Israelite community in the wilderness. Moses, who lived around 1526-1406 BC, recorded this count to identify the military strength and inheritance rights of each tribe as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. Here, the verse highlights the lineage within the tribe of Gad by specifying two sons, Ozni and Eri, and the families that descended from each. The family names “Oznites” and “Erites” are direct references to these patriarchs’ descendants, emphasizing the importance of individual clans in Israel’s structure.
In Numbers 26, the Israelites are camped in the plains of Moab, a region east of the Jordan River, across from Jericho. The area of Moab features rolling hills and plateaus, providing vantage points from which Israel could look toward Canaan. The census in this chapter underscores how God was continuing to guide His people, preserving each family line. While Ozni and Eri may not be as prominent as some other biblical figures, their mere presence in Scripture reflects how meticulously the Lord values each individual and each lineage (Matthew 10:30). The genealogical records would eventually play a significant role in Israel’s journey and the distribution of the land.
Such detailed genealogies also point to the broader biblical theme of God’s redemptive plan, signaling that He orchestrates history—and each family within it—for His purposes. Though the Messiah, Jesus Christ, came specifically through the line of Judah (Matthew 1:1-3), the comprehensive record of all tribes in Numbers demonstrates God’s inclusive attention to the entire covenant community. Each family’s identity rooted them in promises that would find their ultimate fulfillment in Christ.