1)

Why are the other sons of Shuselach not listed?

1.

Rashi: It seems that Eiran 1 had many descendents who were therefore called after him, whereas Shuselach's other children, who had smaller families, were called after Shuselach. 2

2.

Malbim (26:36): The Pasuk in Divrei ha'Yamim (1:7:21) states that the Anshei Gas killed them (they left Egypt four hundred years after Bris Bein ha'Besarim, 30 years too early). Shuselach had another son named Beri'ah (1:7:23), for there was Ra'ah in his house; he is Eran mentioned here. His name switched from Ra to Er. He was called Eran to distinguish him from Er, Yehudah's Bechor.


1

Eiran is not mentioned either in Vayigash or in Divrei ha'Yamim (1, 7:20-27)! Refer to 26:36:1:2.

2

Refer to 26:24:2:2.

2)

What is the significance of the total number of families listed here?

1.

Rashi (citing R. Moshe ha'Darshan): There are fifty-seven from Yisrael and eight from Levi. 1


1

The ''Hey in "Ki Atem ha'Me'at" Devarim 7:6 alludes to the five less than the (seventy) nations of the world (and "Yatzev Gevulos Amim le'Mispar B'nei Yisrael", in Devarim 32:8, implies that the numbers should be the same. PF) According to Sifsei Chachamim (refer to 26:16:1:2), Rashi himself holds that exactly five families died out. Refer also to 26:13:2:1*, where he explains why. See also Ramban's final comment on Pasuk 58.

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