Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, please study this chapter and then answer all 55 questions at the end of this chapter.

Numbers Chapter 26

“Verses 26:1 – 36:13: The final major section of Numbers records the renewed obedience of Israel. God continued to speak (26:1-2, 52; 27:6, 12, 18; 28:1; 31:1, 25; 33:50; 34:1, 16; 35:1, 9), and the second generation of Israel obeyed. Most of the commandments in this section related to Israel’s life after they entered the Land.

Verses 1-65: The previous census had a military purpose: to record all those men aged 20 and over who were fit for military service (1:3), and so does this census (26:2). This was appropriate since a campaign against Midian had just been announced (25:16-18), and the conquest of Canaan was imminent. But there was a more important reason for this census: to determine the relative size of the tribes, so they should each receive a proportionate share of territory in the Promised Land (verses 52-56).

Chapters 1 and 3 give the total number of men in each tribe, whereas chapter 26 gives these totals and also lists the families or clans that make up each tribe. There are extra details supplied in this census about the clans and their forefathers to help serve as a reminder that the cause of the great multiplication of the children of Israel goes back to the promise to the patriarchs in (Gen. 12:2; 26:24; and 46:3). In (verse 33), the “daughters of Zelophehad” are mentioned, and their legal problems are dealt with in (chapters 27 and 36).

Numbers 26:1 “And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,”

Related in the preceding chapter; how long after is not certain. Perhaps before the war with Midian, exhorted to in the latter part of the foregoing chapter. And of which an account is given (Num. 31:1).

“That the Lord spake unto Moses”: Out of the tabernacle, or out of the cloud.

“And unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest”: The Lord had been used to speak to Moses and to Aaron. But now Aaron being dead, and Eleazar his son succeeding him in the priesthood, is joined with Moses. And the order here given is directed to them both.

“Saying”: As follows.

This plague in the last lesson, had reduced the number of people by 24,000. This seems to be the last large reduction of the people, before they went into the Promised Land. This has to do with all the people, since God speaks to Moses and Eleazar. You remember, Aaron has died and Eleazar took his place as high priest.

Numbers 26:2 “Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers’ house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.”

Excepting the Levites, who were to be numbered by themselves, and at a different age. This sum was to be taken, that it might appear that all of the old generation that came out of Egypt. Of the age at which this sum was taken, were now dead, excepting two, as the Lord had threatened. And partly that as they were now about to enter the land of Canaan, it might be divided to them according to their number. As well as to show the faithfulness of God to his word and promise. That he would multiply and make them fruitful, notwithstanding all their provoking sins and transgressions.

“From twenty years old and upwards, throughout their father’s house”: All of that age in every tribe, house, and family.

“All that are able to go to war in Israel”: For which they must prepare. Being about to enter the land of Canaan, and dispossess and drive out the inhabitants of it.

They had taken a census at the beginning of the journey over 38 years ago. Now the end of the journey is near, and they will take the census again.

Numbers 26:3 “And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho, saying,”

With the children of Israel. With the heads of them, their chief and principal, to assist in taking the number of the people. As when they were numbered thirty years ago. When a prince out of each tribe was taken to be with Aaron and Moses in doing that business. But those princes were now all dead, and another race succeeded. Who were now employed in this service. So the Targum of Jonathan says, they spoke with the rulers, and ordered them to number them.

“In the plains of Moab, by Jordan, near Jericho”: Or of Jericho, as the same Targum. On the other side of Jordan to that on which Jericho stood. For as yet the children of Israel had not passed that river, nor entered into the land of Canaan, in which Jericho was. But they were now opposite it (see notes on Num. 22:1).

Then Eleazar and Moses call all the leaders of the twelve tribes together, to take a count of all the men of each tribe 20 years old and older. This is just before they go into Jericho.

Numbers 26:4 “[Take the sum of the people], from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.”

At the same age at which the sum was taken before (Num. 1:3). So that there could not be one that was more than sixty years of age, of all those that went into the land of Canaan, except Joshua and Caleb. And besides some few in the tribe of Levi, which did not come into either of these musters.

“And the Lord commanded Moses, and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt”: As Moses had a command to number the people before, so he had now. The sin of David was, that he numbered the people when he had no command for it. Moses, when he brought the people out of Egypt, had them committed to him by number. And now being about to die, he delivers them up as it were by number again, as Jarchi observes.

This count is to be taken in the very same manner as the earlier census.

Verses 5-51: The numbers for each tribe with the net gain or loss were as follows:

            Reuben            43,760             verse 7             -2,770

            Simeon            22,200             verse 14           -37,100

            Gad                 40,500             verse 18           -5,150

            Judah               76,500             verse 22           +1,900

            Issachar           64,300             verse 25           +9,900

            Zebulun           60,500             verse 27           +3,100

            Manasseh        52,700             verse 34           +20,500

            Ephraim           32,500             verse 37           -8,000

            Benjamin         45,600             verse 41           +10,200

            Dan                 64,400             verse 43           +1,700

            Asher               53,400             verse 47           +11,900

            Naphtali          45,400             verse 50           -8,000

            Total                601,730           verse 51           -1,820

Numbers 26:5-6 “Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, [of whom cometh] the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:” “Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.”

The number of his tribe is taken first on that account. There were four families that descended from him. The Hanochites, Palluites, Hezronites, and Carmites, and the number of men from twenty years old and upwards, fit for war, were 43,760. So that, since the last numbering, this tribe was decreased 2770. Which may in part be accounted for by the families of Dathan and Abiram being cut off for their rebellion. Who were this tribe, and whose affair is briefly related in the following verses, and it may be to point out this unto us.

Numbers 26:7 “These [are] the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.”

The principal households, which were subdivided into numerous smaller families. Reuben had suffered great diminution by Korah’s conspiracy and other outbreaks (Num. 16:1).

We find the list corresponds with the sons of Reuben in the following verse.

Genesis 46:9 “And the sons of Reuben; Hanoch, and Phallu, and Hezron, and Carmi.”

The tribe of Reuben at the end of the wilderness wanderings were 43,730 people. The earlier count had been 46,500. This is a loss of 2,770 people during the wilderness wanderings.

Numbers 26:8 “And the sons of Pallu; Eliab.”

Or son, the plural for the singular. Pallu having but one son, whose name was Eliab, the father of Dathan and Abiram (Num. 26:9).

Eliab was father of Dathan and Abiram, the leaders of the revolt against Moses. Eliab had another son named Nemuel.

Numbers 26:9 “And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This [is that] Dathan and Abiram, [which were] famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:”

“Dathan, and Abiram”: These were singled out for special mention because of their part in the rebellion recorded (in 16:1-40). Mention of them was a reminder of God’s judgment against rebellion.

Numbers 16:1-2 “Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took [men]:” “And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown:”

Numbers 26:10 “And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.”

Not only Dathan and Abiram, but their wives and children, their houses and tents, and all their goods (see Num. 16:32). Together with Korah; the words being thus rendered, and standing in such close connection with the preceding. Some have concluded from hence that Korah was swallowed up with them in the earth. Whereas he seems rather to have been at that time with the two hundred and fifty men that had censers at the door of the tabernacle. And was consumed by fire with them (see Num. 16:16). And, indeed, it is suggested here, for the phrase may be rendered, “and the things of Korah”. What appertained unto him, his men, tents, goods, and substance, which agrees with (Num. 16:32). Or, “and as for Korah”; with respect to him. “When that company died”. He was at the head of, he died also. The same death they died, by fire, as follows.

“What time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men”: Which was the number his company consisted of, who took censers, and offered incense, and were consumed by fire (Num. 16:2). And with whom, in all probability, he perished.

“And they became a sign”: Were made an example of, to deter others from the like practices, and particularly usurping any part of the priest’s office. Some connect the words with the following, and take the sense to be, that this was the sign or miracle. That when they perished, Korah’s sons died not, but were preserved.

Dathan, and Abiram were undoubtedly swallowed up with their people. Korah was swallowed up with Dathan and Abiram. The other leaders of the 250 who revolted were burned with fire. They became a sign to all the people not to commit this type sin again.

Numbers 26:11 “Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.”

“The children of Korah”: These sons of Korah were spared judgment because they separated themselves from their father’s house (see 16:26).

The Korahites were specifically not killed.

Numbers 26:12-14 “The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:” “Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.” “These [are] the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.”

This tribe was next numbered, not only because Simeon was next to Reuben by birth, but because his tribe was under the standard of Reuben. Two of his sons are a little differently named here than they are in (Gen. 46:10). There the eldest is called Jemuel, here Nemuel. There the youngest but one is named Zohar, here Zerah. And one of them is here omitted, namely Ohad, perhaps because he died without children, and so no family sprang from him. Wherefore the families of Simeon were but five, and the number of them were 22,200. By which it appears there was a very great decrease in this tribe since the last muster. Even 37,100 which in some measure is to be accounted for by the great number of this tribe supposed to have died of the plague. On account of fornication and idolatry, made mention of in the preceding chapter. A prince in this tribe having set a bad example.

In the first count of the tribe of Simeon, there were counted 59,300. The count here is 22,200. There is a loss of 37,100 since the first count. This possibly, is because so many of them were swallowed up when the earth opened.

Numbers 26:15 “The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:”

Because it lay encamped with that under the standard of Reuben. There is a little variation in the names of two or three of his sons, from those by which they are called (Gen. 46:16). Instead of Ziphion, here Zephon; and for Haggai, here Haggi. And what is much wider, for Ezbon, here Ozni. Seven families sprang from Gad; whose number now was 40,500. They were diminished since their last numbering 5,150. It is probable this tribe, being a warlike tribe, suffered very much in their attempt to enter the land of Canaan contrary to the will of God. And were repulsed and defeated by the Amalekites (Num. 16:40).

Numbers 26:16-18 “Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:” “Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.” “These [are] the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.”

The children of Gad at this second counting were numbered 40,500. The earlier count of the tribe of Gad was 45,650. Again, we see a reduction of them by 5,150.

Numbers 26:19-22 “The sons of Judah [were] Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.” “And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.” “And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.” “These [are] the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.”

And besides these he had Shelah, Pharez, and Zerah, from whom families sprang. But none from the two first.

“And Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan”: Where they were born. And that because of their sins, as the Targum of Jonathan adds (see Gen. 38:7-10). So that there were but three families sprang from Judah. The Shelanites, Pharzites, and Zarhites. Only the family of the Pharzites was divided into two families, the Hezronites and the Hamulites. So called from two sons of Pharez. The number of these families amounted to 76,500, so that there was an increase of 1,900 since the last muster. Which answers to Jacob’s blessing, that he should be a praise among his brethren (Gen. 49:8).

“Er and Onan”: These two sons of Judah did not receive an inheritance in the Land because of their great evil (see Gen. 38:1-10).

Genesis 38:7 “And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him.”

The following is speaking of Onan.

Genesis 38:10 “And the thing which he did displeased the LORD: wherefore he slew him also.”

We see that both of these sons died without leaving an heir.

Zerah and Pharez were the sons of Judah by his daughter-in-law Tamar. The others mentioned are grandsons.

The descendants of Judah at this count were 76,500. At the earlier count, there were 74,600. This means there was an increase in the number of 1,900 people.

Numbers 26:23-25 “[Of] the sons of Issachar after their families: [of] Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:” “Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.” “These [are] the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.”

This tribe was numbered next to Judah, because it was under his standard. Two of his sons are a little differently named than they are (Gen. 46:13). Instead of Phuvah one is called Pua, and instead of Job another is called here Jashub. This tribe consisted of four families, and the number of warlike men in it was 64,300. Their increase since the last numbering of them is 9,900.

Numbers 26:26-27 “[Of] the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.” “These [are] the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.”

Zebulun is numbered next to Issachar, because it was encamped under the standard of Judah. It consisted of three families, whose numbers were 60,500. So that this tribe was increased 3,100.

The tribe of Zebulun, at this count, was 60,500. At the beginning of the march, they were numbered 57,400. We see there was an increase of 3,100 people.

Numbers 26:28-34 “The sons of Joseph after their families [were] Manasseh and Ephraim.” “Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead [come] the family of the Gileadites.” “These [are] the sons of Gilead: [of] Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:” “These [are] the sons of Gilead: [of] Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:” And [of] Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and [of] Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:” “And [of] Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and [of] Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.” “And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad [were] Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.” “These [are] the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.”

Manasseh is here mentioned first, though Ephraim was preferred to him by Jacob. And the standard belonged to him. Not because he was the firstborn, but because he had now the greater increase, though he had but one son, Machir. Of whom was the family of the Machirites, and a grandson, whose name was Gilead. From whom was the family of the Gileadites, and who had six sons. Of whom were the families of the Jeezerite, Helekites, Asrielites, Shechemites, Shemidaites, and Hepherites. Hepher, of whom was the last, had a son named Zelophehad. But he had no son, only five daughters, whose names are given. The number of men in this tribe, of twenty years old and upwards, fit for war, was 52,700. So that the increase was 20,500, a large increase indeed!

Manasseh’s and Ephraim’s tribes had been counted separate earlier.

“Zelophehad”: The mentioning of Zelophehad having no sons, but only daughters, laid the basis for the laws of inheritance stated (in 27:1-11; 36:1-12).

Zelophehad had no sons, so his daughters are listed here. These are not just Manasseh’s sons, but grandsons, as well.

The count of Manasseh’s descendants at this count were 52,700. In the first count, they were numbered 32,200. They had increased greatly by 20,500 people.

Numbers 26:35-37 “These [are] the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.” “And these [are] the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.” “These [are] the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These [are] the sons of Joseph after their families.”

Which were but three, the Shuthalhites, the Bachrites, and the Tahanites. Only from the former sprung another family, called the Eranites. The number of the whole was 32,500. There was a decrease in this tribe of 8,000.

Ephraim’s descendants were numbered 32,500 at this count. At the earlier count, there had been 40,500. We see that Ephraim’s descendants had reduced in number from the first count by 8,000.

Numbers 26:38-41 “The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:” “Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.” “And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: [of Ard], the family of the Ardites: [and] of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.” “And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: [of Ard], the family of the Ardites: [and] of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.” “These [are] the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them [were] forty and five thousand and six hundred.”

This tribe was numbered next to Ephraim, being under his standard. Five of the sons of Benjamin are omitted, perhaps because they died without issue, and so no families sprang from them. The names of the five sons mentioned vary a little from the names of them in (Gen. 46:21). Instead of Ehi, it is here Ahiram. And instead of Huppim and Muppim, it is here Shupham and Hupham. From these last five were the families of the Belaites, Ashbelites, Ahiramites, Shuphamites, and Huphamites. And from the eldest of them sprang two other families, the Ardites and Naamites. From Ard and Naaman, two sons of Bela. The number of men in these families was 45,600. So, that here was an increase of 10,200.

In the last lesson, the LORD told Moses and Eleazar to number the males 20 years old and older, who were able to go to war. Benjamin was the youngest son of Jacob. His mother was Jacob’s beloved Rachel. The brother of Benjamin, who had the same mother, was Joseph.

The tribe of Benjamin at this counting, numbered 45,600. Their count earlier on this wilderness wandering was 35,400. We see this family has increased in size by 10,200.

Numbers 26:42-43 “These [are] the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These [are] the families of Dan after their families.” “All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, [were] threescore and four thousand and four hundred.”

Though he had but one son, the plural being put for the singular. Or by sons are meant his posterity. His son’s name was Shuham, and by transposition Hushim in (Gen. 46:23). From him was the family of the Shulamites.

The number of Dan’s tribe at this counting was 64,400. At the first census, they numbered 62,700. They have increased by 1,700.

Numbers 26:44-47 “[Of] the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.” “Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.” “And the name of the daughter of Asher [was] Sarah.” “These [are] the families of the sons of Asher according to those that were numbered of them; [who were] fifty and three thousand and four hundred.”

This tribe was numbered next to Dan, because it was under his standard. One of his sons is omitted, very probably dying childless, and so had no family. From the rest sprang the families of the Jimnites, Jesuites, and Beriites; and, from the latter, two others, the Heberites and Malchielites. And it is remarked that Asher had a daughter named Serah, and who also is particularly mentioned as a sister of Asher’s sons in (Gen. 46:17). No doubt but she was a remarkable woman. Either for religion, or for wisdom and prudence. Or some amiable virtue or grace or another. That she is so particularly taken notice of. According to Maimonides she was an heiress. For though Asher had many sons, this was his wife’s daughter by another man, who had no sons. And the inheritance was his daughter’s, and therefore is so particularly mentioned. She inheriting as the daughters of Zelophehad did.

Asher’s descendants at this count were 53,400. The earlier count on Asher’s descendants was 41,500. They had increased by 11,900.

Numbers 26:48-50 “[Of] the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:” “Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.” “These [are] the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them [were] forty and five thousand and four hundred.”

This tribe, which is the last of them, was numbered next to Asher, because it was with that under the standard of Dan. It had four families in it. The Jahzeelites, Gunites, Jezerites, and Shillemites.

The sons of Naphtali who were counted here were 45,400. The earlier count was 53,400. We find they decreased by 8,000.

Numbers 26:51 “These [were] the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.”

The total net loss between the first and second census (603,550 verses 601,730, was a little less than 2,000 (1:46; verses 26:5-51). Such a small decline is somewhat surprising in light of the numerous failures of the people in the wilderness. Despite their sin, God kept His promise to preserve the nation.

The number counted, here, of all the tribes were 601,730. The number counted at the beginning of the journey was 603,550. There was a small decrease of the number of people who began the trip, because of the judgements from God that came upon them for sin. There were 1,820 fewer than started. This is almost the same number that started.

Verses 52-56: These census numbers would be used to decide the size of each tribe’s inheritance in the Land. The exact locations would be determined by lot (see Joshua 13:1-7; 14:1 – 19:51 for the outworking of these words).

Numbers 26:52 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,”

After the sum of the people of Israel had been taken.

“Saying”: As follows.

The difference, here, is that the LORD speaks to Moses alone.

Numbers 26:53 “Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.”

That were numbered, and to none else.

“According to the number of their names”: And for this end was the number of them now taken, that the land might be equally divided among them. Women and minors, or such as were under twenty years of age, had no share in it. And even only those who were at that age at this time; so Jarchi says. It was not divided to any that were less than twenty years of age, even though they came to be full twenty before the division of the land. For they were seven years subduing it, and seven years dividing it. Yet none took any part of it but these 601,730. Nay, he says, if a man had six children they took but their father’s part only.

The inheritance of land allotted will be according to how many people each tribe has.

Numbers 26:54 “To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.”

To a tribe more numerous, and consisting of more and larger families, a greater part of the land was to be given to them to possess. And to a smaller tribe, and of the fewer families and persons in them, a lesser share of it. This direction is given to Moses, but is not designed for him personally. For he never entered the land, but died before Israel went into it. But for the chief ruler that would be then in being, namely, Joshua, his successor.

“To everyone shall his inheritance be given, according to those that were numbered of him”: That is, to every tribe, and so to every family in it, according to the number of men in it, that were of the above age when the sum of them was taken. Because it is in the original text, “to a man according to those numbered of him”, etc. Hence the Jewish writers gather, that the land was distributed not to women, but to men only.

God wanted all of them to have their allotment equally.

Numbers 26:55 “Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.”

That the division might appear to be according to the determination and will of God. And not left to the judgment and discretion of the chief magistrate, though bound by the above rule.

“According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit”: That is, according as to whatsoever name of a tribe such a part or portion of the land comes up by lot. That shall their inheritance be. Jarchi says, the names of the twelve tribes were written on twelve scrolls of parchment. And twelve borders or limits of land on twelve others, and they were mixed together in an urn. And the prince put his hand into it and took two scrolls. A scroll came up with the name of a tribe, and a scroll with a border or limit expressed on it. And the lot, he says, was by the Holy Ghost. For Eleazar, at the same time, was clothed with Urim and Thummim; so that the people were certain that the disposition and division of the land was of God. But there were but nine tribes and a half, among whom the land of Canaan was divided. Two tribes and a half settled on the other side Jordan. Namely, the tribes of Reuben and Gad, and half the tribe of Manasseh.

This is saying rather than each one choosing what they wanted, and having an argument about the division, God will have them to cast lots.

Numbers 26:56 “According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.”

It was by the determination of the lot that the land was divided by inheritance. And that was by the Lord, according to (Prov. 16:33).

“Between many and few”: It was so ordered of the Lord by the lot, that the many should have a larger share, and the few a lesser.

The lot decides the situation of each person’s inheritance. This is just saying, that those who are larger in number will have the larger allotment.

Verses 57-65: As in the first census (3:14-39), the Levites were counted separately. The total number of Levites was 23,000 (verse 62), an increase of 1,000 over the previous census (see 3:39).

Numbers 26:57-62 “And these [are] they that were numbered of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.” “These [are] the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.” “And the name of Amram’s wife [was] Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom [her mother] bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.” “And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” “And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.” “And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.”

And they were numbered not with the rest of the tribes of Israel, but by themselves, as they were at the first numbering of the tribes; the three principal families of which were, the Gershonite, the Kohathite, and Merarite, so called from the three sons of Levi. But all their sons are not mentioned. Of the sons of Gershon only Libni, from whom was the family of the Libnites; not Shimei, because, as Aben Ezra conjectures, either he had no sons, or, if he had, they died without any, and so there was no family from them. And of the sons of Kohath no mention is made of Uzziel, nor of Izhar, but in the Korhites, only of the Hebronite family from Hebron. And of Amram, whose wife Jochebed is spoken of as a daughter of Levi, whom Levi’s wife, as Jarchi rightly supplies it, bore to him in Egypt, and which Jochebed was the mother of Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. And it is observed that Aaron had four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, the two first of which died for offering strange fire to the Lord, and the two last were now living. From Merari, another son of Levi, sprang two families, the Mahlite, and the Mushite. And the whole number of the Levites at this time taken was 23,000 males of a month old and upward. So that here was an increase of 1,000 males since the former numbering of them. The reason why they were not numbered with the other tribes was, because they had no part of the land of Israel divided to them, and had no inheritance in it.

Now we see the tribes of the Levites. They were not numbered with the others, because they do not go to war. They are the servants of the Lord. They take care of the religious side of the life of the Israelites. They take care of the tabernacle also.

Amram was the father of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.

Jochebed was the wife of Amram, and was of Levi, as well as was her husband, Amram. We see that both parents of Moses, Aaron, and Miriam were from the Levitical tribe.

Aaron was the first high priest. His sons would have been the priests in the temple. They were all to serve the Lord in the temple. Nadab and Abihu were killed with fire from off the altar of God. They carried strange fire into the tabernacle. Eleazar took over as high priest, when Aaron died.

The strange fire probably, was the fact that they were drinking.

The males of the Levites that were numbered at the end of the journey across the wilderness was 23,000. At the beginning of the journey they were numbered 22,000. This is an additional 1,000 people.

Verses 63-65: This summary section is enormously important. None of the first generation enumerated in the census of chapters 1-3 was included in this census, except for “Caleb” and “Joshua”. The rest had died.

Numbers 26:63 “These [are] they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho.”

That is, these were the Levites, their families, and the number of males in them. Which was taken by Moses and Eleazar. Who might be only concerned in numbering the Levites. Of which tribe they were. And;

“Who also numbered the children of Israel”: All the tribes of them, with the assistance of their princes.

“In the plains of Moab, by Jordan, near Jericho”: As they were commanded by the Lord.

This is just saying, that Moses did exactly as God had commanded him to do. They numbered the people.

Numbers 26:64 “But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.”

About thirty eight years before this time. This, as Aben Ezra observes, respects the numbering of the Israelites, not of the Levites. For there were some of the tribe of Levi numbered then who were living. As Eleazar, and very probably Ithamar, and perhaps some few more. Though it may be Eleazar, now doing numbering, was not reckoned among the numbered.

“When they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai” (see Num. 1:1). For as there were none of the tribe of Levi among the spies. There might be but few of them among the murmurers.

Numbers 26:65 “For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.”

This was threatened them (Num. 14:32), and now it was fulfilled.

“And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. The only two of the spies that brought a good report of the land of Canaan. All the rest of them, and those that murmured on the ill report of theirs, were now dead.

Those who were numbered as men in the first census are all dead, except for Joshua and Caleb. God let them all die off, because of their lack of faith. The new generation of their descendants will inherit the Promised Land. Twelve men searched the Promised Land 40 days, and only two, Caleb and Joshua, brought a good report. They wandered 40 years to compensate for their 40 days of unbelief.

Numbers 26: Questions