Numbers 26:51

These were the numbered of the children of Israel,.... The twelve tribes, consisting of so many families, as above named; and the sum total of persons in them of twenty years old and upwards, and fit

These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty. These were the numbered of the children of Israel.

Very nigh as many as there were before, . So wisely and marvellously did God at the same time manifest his justice in cutting off so vast a number, and his mercy in giving such a speedy and numerous supply, and his truth in both.

(51) Six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.—The sum total exhibits a decrease of 1,820, as compared with the census taken at Sinai thirty-eight years previously. On this decrease Bishop Wordsworth observes as follows:—“When the Israelites were suffering persecution in Egypt they ‘multiplied exceedingly’ (Exodus 1:7; Exodus 1:20); but after their deliverance from Egypt they rebelled against God, and ‘He consumed their days in vanity, and their years in trouble’ (Psalms 78:33). . . . Here there is comfort and warning to the Church and every soul in it—comfort in time of affliction, and warning in days of prosperity.”

Verse 51. These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.] The following comparative statement will show how much some of the tribes had increased, and others had diminished, since the enumeration in Numbers 1:2, c. Now Before Reuben 43,730 46,500 2,770 decrease Simeon 22,200 59,300 37,100 Gad 40,500 45,650 5,150 Judah 76,500 74,600 1,900 increase Issachar 64,300 54,400 9,900 Zebulun 60,500 57,400 3,100 Manasseh 52,700 32,200 20,500 Ephraim 32,500 8,000 Benjamin 45,600 35,400 10,200 Daniel 64,400 62,700 1,700 Asher 53,400 41,500 11,900 Naphtali 45,400 Total 601,730 603,550 1,820 decrease on the whole, in 38 years. Decrease in all, 61,020. Increase in all, 59,200. Let it be observed, 1. That among these there was not a man of the former census, save Joshua and Caleb, see Numbers 26:64-65. 2. That though there was an increase in seven tribes of not less than 74,800 men, yet so great was the decrease in the other five tribes, that the balance against the present census Isaiah 1,820, as appears above: thus we find that there was an in crease of 601,728 from 603,550 in the space of thirty-eight years. Notwithstanding the amazing increase in some and decrease in other tribes, the same sort of proportion is preserved in the east, west, north, and south divisions, as before so as to keep the division of Judah, which was always in the front or van, the largest; and the division of Dan, which was always in the rear, the next in number. But it is worthy of remark that as they are now, properly speaking, to commence their grand military operations, so their front, or advanced division, is increased from 186,400 to 201,300; and their rear from 157,600 to 163,200. The first division is strengthened 14,900 men, and the last division 5,600 men. The reasons for this are sufficiently obvious. Mr. Ainsworth has a curious remark on the number of families in the 12 tribes. "Here are families 1. Of Manasseh 8 7. Of Reuben 4 2. Of Benjamin 7 8. Of Issachar 3. Of Gad 9. Of Ephraim 4. Of Simeon 5 10. Of Naphtali 5. Of Judah 11. Of Zebulun 3 6. Of Asher 12. Of Daniel 1 "In all 57; to whom if we add the 12 patriarchs, and Jacob their father, the whole number Isaiah 70, the exact number of the souls in Jacob's house that went down to Egypt, Genesis 46:27." In a variety of things in this ancient economy there is a most surprising proportion kept up, which never could have been a fortuitous effect of general causes. But proportion, harmony, and order distinguish all the works of God, both in the natural and moral world.

5–51. The twelve secular tribes are numbered, the sacred tribe of Levi being omitted. The names are based upon Genesis 46:8-27, but with the addition of Ephraim and Manasseh, who, having been born in Egypt, could not be reckoned in Gen. among those who went down into Egypt. The total number at the first census, thirty-eight years before (ch. 1) was 603,550; now it Isaiah 601,730. The order of the tribes is the same, except that Manasseh (Numbers 26:29-34) precedes Ephraim (Numbers 26:35-37). Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim and Naphtali have decreased in numbers, while the other seven have increased. The impossibility of the figures is shewn in note on Numbers 1:46.

This shows a decrease of 1,820 from the number at Sinai; a decrease due to the recent plague.

51. These were the numbered — The results of the two enumerations are tabulated by tribes and in their totals in chap. Numbers 1:21, note.