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Numbers 26

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1It happened after the plague, that Yahweh spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,

2"Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers' houses, all who are able to go forth to war in Israel."

3Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,

4"[Take a census of the people], from twenty years old and upward; as Yahweh commanded Moses and the children of Israel." These are those that came out of the land of Egypt.

5Reuben, the firstborn of Israel; the sons of Reuben: [of] Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites;

6of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.

7These are the families of the Reubenites; and those who were numbered of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred thirty.

8The sons of Pallu: Eliab.

9The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called of the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against Yahweh,

10and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died; what time the fire devoured two hundred fifty men, and they became a sign.

11Notwithstanding, the sons of Korah didn't die.

12The 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;

13of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites; of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.

14These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty-two thousand two hundred.

15The sons 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;

16of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites;

17of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites.

18These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.

19The sons of Judah: Er and Onan; and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.

20The sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites.

21The sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.

22These are the families of Judah according to those who were numbered of them, seventy-six thousand five hundred.

23The sons of Issachar after their families: [of] Tola, the family of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the family of the Punites;

24of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.

25These are the families of Issachar according to those who were numbered of them, sixty-four thousand three hundred.

26The sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Seredites; of Elon, the family of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites.

27These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those who were numbered of them, sixty thousand five hundred.

28The sons of Joseph after their families: Manasseh and Ephraim.

29The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir became the father of Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites.

30These are the sons of Gilead: [of] Iezer, the family of the Iezerites; of Helek, the family of the Helekites;

31and [of] Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; and [of] Shechem, the family of the Shechemites;

32and [of] Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; and [of] Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.

33Zelophehad 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.

34These are the families of Manasseh; and those who were numbered of them were fifty-two thousand seven hundred.

35These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the family of the Becherites; of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.

36These are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.

37These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those who were numbered of them, thirty-two thousand five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.

38The 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;

39of Shephupham, the family of the Shuphamites; of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.

40The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: [of Ard], the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.

41These are the sons of Benjamin after their families; and those who were numbered of them were forty-five thousand six hundred.

42These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.

43All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those who were numbered of them, were sixty-four thousand four hundred.

44The sons of Asher after their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites; of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the family of the Berites.

45Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites; of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.

46The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah.

47These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those who were numbered of them, fifty-three thousand and four hundred.

48The sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites; of Guni, the family of the Gunites;

49of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.

50These are the families of Naphtali according to their families; and those who were numbered of them were forty-five thousand four hundred.

51These are those who were numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred one thousand seven hundred thirty.

52Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,

53"To these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.

54To the more you shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give the less inheritance: to everyone according to those who were numbered of him shall his inheritance be given.

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

56According to the lot shall their inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer."

57These are those who 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.

58These are the families of Levi: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korahites. Kohath became the father of Amram.

59The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt: and she bore to Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.

60To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

61Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before Yahweh.

62Those who were numbered of them were twenty-three thousand, every male 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.

63These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

64But among these there was not a man of them who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

65For Yahweh had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. There was not left a man of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the 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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Congregation (Heb. kahal), the Hebrew people collectively as a holy community… Zelophehad First-born, of the tribe of Manasseh, and of the family… Wilderness (1.) Heb. midhbar, denoting not a barren desert but a… Jephunneh Nimble, or a beholder. (1.) The father of Caleb, who… Benjamin Son of my right hand. (1.) The younger son of… Jochebed Jehovah is her glory, the wife of Amram, and the… Manasseh Who makes to forget. "God hath made me forget" (Heb.… Naphtali My wrestling, the fifth son of Jacob. His mother was… Issachar Hired (Gen. 30:18). "God hath given me," said Leah, "my… Daughter This word, besides its natural and proper sense, is used… Zebulun Dwelling, the sixth and youngest son of Jacob and Leah… Shimron Watch-post, an ancient city of the Canaanites; with its villages,… Ithamar Palm isle, the fourth and youngest son of Aaron (1… Eleazar God has helped. (1.) The third son of Aaron (Ex.… Jahzeel Allotted by God, the first of the sons of Naphtali… Gershon =Ger'shom expulsion, the eldest of Levi's three sons (Gen. 46:11;… Ephraim Double fruitfulness ("for God had made him fruitful in the… Jericho Place of fragrance, a fenced city in the midst of…