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Numbers 26

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1After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest,

2“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.”

3So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction,

4“Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older, as the LORD has commanded Moses.” And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt:

5Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben: The Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu,

6the Hezronite clan from Hezron, and the Carmite clan from Carmi.

7These were the clans of Reuben, and their registration numbered 43,730.

8Now the son of Pallu was Eliab,

9and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who rebelled against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD.

10And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign.

11However, the line of Korah did not die out.

12These were the descendants of Simeon by their clans: The Nemuelite clan from Nemuel, the Jaminite clan from Jamin, the Jachinite clan from Jachin,

13the Zerahite clan from Zerah, and the Shaulite clan from Shaul.

14These were the clans of Simeon, and there were 22,200 men.

15These were the descendants of Gad by their clans: The Zephonite clan from Zephon, the Haggite clan from Haggi, the Shunite clan from Shuni,

16the Oznite clan from Ozni, the Erite clan from Eri,

17the Arodite clan from Arod, and the Arelite clan from Areli.

18These were the clans of Gad, and their registration numbered 40,500.

19The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan.

20These were the descendants of Judah by their clans: The Shelanite clan from Shelah, the Perezite clan from Perez, and the Zerahite clan from Zerah.

21And these were the descendants of Perez: the Hezronite clan from Hezron and the Hamulite clan from Hamul.

22These were the clans of Judah, and their registration numbered 76,500.

23These were the descendants of Issachar by their clans: The Tolaite clan from Tola, the Punite clan from Puvah,

24the Jashubite clan from Jashub, and the Shimronite clan from Shimron.

25These were the clans of Issachar, and their registration numbered 64,300.

26These were the descendants of Zebulun by their clans: The Seredite clan from Sered, the Elonite clan from Elon, and the Jahleelite clan from Jahleel.

27These were the clans of Zebulun, and their registration numbered 60,500.

28The descendants of Joseph included the clans of Manasseh and Ephraim.

29These were the descendants of Manasseh: The Machirite clan from Machir, the father of Gilead, and the Gileadite clan from Gilead.

30These were the descendants of Gilead: the Iezerite clan from Iezer, the Helekite clan from Helek,

31the Asrielite clan from Asriel, the Shechemite clan from Shechem,

32the Shemidaite clan from Shemida, and the Hepherite clan from Hepher.

33Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

34These were the clans of Manasseh, and their registration numbered 52,700.

35These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The Shuthelahite clan from Shuthelah, the Becherite clan from Becher, and the Tahanite clan from Tahan.

36And the descendants of Shuthelah were the Eranite clan from Eran.

37These were the clans of Ephraim, and their registration numbered 32,500. These clans were the descendants of Joseph.

38These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: The Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram,

39the Shuphamite clan from Shupham, and the Huphamite clan from Hupham.

40And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman were the Ardite clan from Ard and the Naamite clan from Naaman.

41These were the clans of Benjamin, and their registration numbered 45,600.

42These were the descendants of Dan by their clans: The Shuhamite clan from Shuham. These were the clans of Dan.

43All of them were Shuhamite clans, and their registration numbered 64,400.

44These were the descendants of Asher by their clans: The Imnite clan from Imnah, the Ishvite clan from Ishvi, and the Beriite clan from Beriah.

45And these were the descendants of Beriah: the Heberite clan from Heber and the Malchielite clan from Malchiel.

46And the name of Asher’s daughter was Serah.

47These were the clans of Asher, and their registration numbered 53,400.

48These were the descendants of Naphtali by their clans: The Jahzeelite clan from Jahzeel, the Gunite clan from Guni,

49the Jezerite clan from Jezer, and the Shillemite clan from Shillem.

50These were the clans of Naphtali, and their registration numbered 45,400.

51These men of Israel numbered 601,730 in all.

52Then the LORD said to Moses,

53“The land is to be divided among the tribes as an inheritance, according to the number of names.

54Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered.

55Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.

56Each inheritance is to be divided by lot among the larger and smaller tribes.”

57Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans: The Gershonite clan from Gershon, the Kohathite clan from Kohath, and the Merarite clan from Merari.

58These were the families of the Levites: The Libnite clan, the Hebronite clan, the Mahlite clan, the Mushite clan, and the Korahite clan. Now Kohath was the father of Amram,

59and Amram’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam.

60Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar were born to Aaron,

61but Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD.

62The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.

63These were the ones numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.

64Among all these, however, there was not one who had been numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai.

65For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

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Matthew Henry Concise Commentary

Pastoral and devotional reflections focused on spiritual formation and application.

Numbers 26:1-51 Verses 1-51

Moses did not number the people but when God commanded him. We have here the families registered, as well as the tribes. The total was nearly the same as when numbered at mount Sinai. Notice is here taken of the children of Korah; they died not, as the children of Dathan and Abiram; they seem not to have joined even their own father in rebellion. If we partake not of the sins of sinners, we shall not partake of their plagues. (Nu 26:52-56)

Numbers 26:52-56 Verses 52-56

In distributing these tribes, the general rule of equity is prescribed; that to many should be given more, and to fewer less. Though it seems left to the prudence of their prince, the matter at last must be settled by the providence of God, with which all must be satisfied.

Numbers 26:57-62 Verses 57-62

Levi was God's tribe; therefore it was not numbered with the rest, but alone. It came not under the sentence, that none of them should enter Canaan excepting Caleb and Joshua.

Numbers 26:63-65 Verses 63-65

The execution of the sentence passed on the murmurers, chap. 14:29, is observable. There was not one man numbered now, who was numbered then, but Caleb and Joshua. Here appeared the righteousness of God, and his faithfulness to his threatenings. Especially observe the truth of God, in performing his promise to Caleb and Joshua. Death makes awful havoc of the human species, and causes surprising changes in families and nations; yet all is appointed in perfect wisdom, justice, and truth, by the Lord himself. This should stir us up to think upon the hateful nature of sin, the cause of all these devastations. We should renew our repentance, seek forgiveness, value the salvation of Christ, remember how frail we are, prepare for the summons of death, and fill up our days in serving our generation according to the will of God.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Historical, contextual, and verse-level study notes for deeper biblical exploration.

Numbers 26:1 Israel Numbered.

after the plague--That terrible visitation had swept away the remnant of the old generation, to whom God sware in His wrath that they should not enter Canaan (Ps 95:11).

Numbers 26:2 Israel Numbered.

Take the sum of all the congregation--The design of this new census, after a lapse of thirty-eight years, was primarily to establish the vast multiplication of the posterity of Abraham in spite of the severe judgments inflicted upon them; secondarily, it was to preserve the distinction of families and to make arrangements, preparatory to an entrance into the promised land, for the distribution of the country according to the relative population of the tribes.

Numbers 26:7 Israel Numbered.

These are the families of the Reubenites--the principal households, which were subdivided into numerous smaller families. Reuben had suffered great diminution by Korah's conspiracy and other outbreaks [Nu 16:1].

Numbers 26:10 Israel Numbered.

the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah--rather, "the things of Korah." (See on Nu 16:35; compare Ps 106:17).

Numbers 26:11 Israel Numbered.

Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not--Either they were not parties to their father's crime, or they withdrew from it by timely repentance. His descendants became famous in the time of David, and are often mentioned in the Psalms [Ps 42:1; 44:1; 45:1; 46:1; 47:1; 48:1; 49:1; 84:1; 85:1; 87:1; 88:1], also in 1Ch 6:22, 38.

Numbers 26:12 Israel Numbered.

The sons of Simeon--It is supposed that this tribe had been pre-eminent in the guilt of Baal-peor and had consequently been greatly reduced in numbers. Thus God's justice and holiness, as well as His truth and faithfulness, were strikingly displayed: His justice and holiness in the sweeping judgments that reduced the ranks of some tribes; and His truth and faithfulness in the extraordinary increase of others so that the posterity of Israel continued a numerous people. 53. the land shall be divided according to the number of names--The portion of each tribe was to be greater or less, according to its populousness. 54. To many thou shalt give the more inheritance--that is, to the more numerous tribes a larger allotment shall be granted. according to those that were numbered--the number of persons twenty years old at the time of the census being made, without taking into account either the increase of those who might have attained that age, when the land should be actually distributed, or the diminution from that amount, occasioned during the war of invasion. 55. the land shall be divided by lot--The appeal to the lot did not place the matter beyond the control of God; for it is at His disposal (Pr 16:33), and He has fixed to all the bounds of their habitation. The manner in which the lot was taken has not been recorded. But it is evident that the lot was cast for determining the section of the country in which each tribe should be located--not the quantity of their possessions. In other words, when the lot had decided that a particular tribe was to be settled in the north or the south, the east or the west, the extent of territory was allocated according to the rule (Nu 26:54). 58. families of the Levites--The census of this tribe was taken separately, and on a different principle from the rest. (See Ex 6:16-19). 62. twenty and three thousand--so that there was an increase of a thousand (Nu 3:39). males from a month old and upward--(See on Nu 3:14). 64. among these there was not a man ... numbered ... in the wilderness of Sinai--The statement in this verse must not be considered absolute. For, besides Caleb and Joshua, there were alive at this time Eleazar and Ithamar, and in all probability a considerable number of Levites, who had no participation in the popular defections in the wilderness. The tribe of Levi, having neither sent a spy into Canaan, nor being included in the enumeration at Sinai, must be regarded as not coming within the range of the fatal sentence; and therefore it would exhibit a spectacle not to be witnessed in the other tribes of many in their ranks above sixty years of age. Tribes Chap. 1 Chap. 26 Increase Decrease Reuben 46,500 43,730 -- 2,770 Simeon 59,300 22,200 -- 37,100 Gad 45,650 40,500 -- 5,150 Judah 74,600 76,500 1,900 -- Issachar 54,400 64,300 9,900 -- Zebulun 57,400 60,500 3,100 -- Ephraim 40,500 32,500 -- 8,000 Manasseh 32,200 52,700 20,500 -- Benjamin 35,400 45,600 10,200 -- Dan 62,700 64,400 1,700 -- Asher 41,500 53,400 11,900 -- Naphtali 53,400 45,400 -- 8,000 Total 603,550 601,730 59,200 61,020 Total decrease 1,820

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Abihu: Death of Numbers 26:61

but Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD.

Abiram: An Israelite Who Conspired with Dathan Against Moses and Aaron Numbers 26:9, 10

and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who fought against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD. / And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign.

Amram: Father of Moses Numbers 26:58, 59

These were the families of the Levites: The Libnite clan, the Hebronite clan, the Mahlite clan, the Mushite clan, and the Korahite clan. Now Kohath was the father of Amram, / and Amram’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam.

Ard: Son of Bela Numbers 26:40

And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman were the Ardite clan from Ard and the Naamite clan from Naaman.

Arod: Son of Gad Numbers 26:17

the Arodite clan from Arod, and the Arelite clan from Areli.

Ashbel: Son of Benjamin Numbers 26:38

These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: The Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram,

Asher: Son of Jacob, by Zilpah: Descendants of Numbers 26:44–47

These were the descendants of Asher by their clans: The Imnite clan from Imnah, the Ishvite clan from Ishvi, and the Beriite clan from Beriah. / And these were the descendants of Beriah: the Heberite clan from Heber and the Malchielite clan from Malchiel. / And the name of Asher’s daughter was Serah.

Becher: Son of Ephraim Numbers 26:35

These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans: The Shuthelahite clan from Shuthelah, the Becherite clan from Becher, and the Tahanite clan from Tahan.

Bela: Son of Benjamin Numbers 26:38, 40

These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: The Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram, / And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman were the Ardite clan from Ard and the Naamite clan from Naaman.

Benjamin: Son of Jacob by Rachel: Descendants of Numbers 26:38–41

These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans: The Belaite clan from Bela, the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel, the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram, / the Shuphamite clan from Shupham, and the Huphamite clan from Hupham. / And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman were the Ardite clan from Ard and the Naamite clan from Naaman.

Beriah: Son of Asher Numbers 26:44, 45

These were the descendants of Asher by their clans: The Imnite clan from Imnah, the Ishvite clan from Ishvi, and the Beriite clan from Beriah. / And these were the descendants of Beriah: the Heberite clan from Heber and the Malchielite clan from Malchiel.

Caleb: One of the Two Survivors of the Israelites Permitted to Enter the Land of Promise Numbers 26:63–65

These were the ones numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. / Among all these, however, there was not one who had been numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai. / For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

Casting Lots Numbers 26:55

Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.

Citizens: Wicked: Korah, Dathan, and Abiram Numbers 26:9

and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who fought against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD.

Dathan: A Conspirator Against Moses Numbers 26:9

and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who fought against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD.

Desert, Journey of Israel Through The: All Formerly Numbered Over Twenty Years Old, Except Caleb Numbers 26:63–65

These were the ones numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. / Among all these, however, there was not one who had been numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai. / For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

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