Misinterpretations of this verse often dismiss it as insignificant numerical data without spiritual import, overlooking its role in demonstrating the severe consequences of unrepentant sin on a tribe's strength; others erroneously attribute the population drop solely to natural attrition or war losses rather than God's targeted judgment as detailed in Numbers 25, or twist it into unfounded numerological prophecies, ignoring the broader context of census accountability and covenant faithfulness.
Numbers 26:14
King James Version (1769)
14 These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.
Numbers 26:14 records the census total for the tribe of Simeon as 22,200 fighting men, part of the second wilderness numbering of Israel just before entering the Promised Land, revealing a drastic decline from 59,300 in the first census due to divine judgment for their prominent role in the Baal Peor idolatry and immorality; this underscores God's holiness in punishing sin among His people while preserving a remnant to fulfill His covenant promises.