Numbers 26

Numbers 26:1

after the plague. Compare Numbers 25:9.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

spake. See note on Numbers 1:1.

Numbers 26:2

Take the sum. For the order of the tribes see App-45. Moses received them by number, Exodus 38:26; so now, when preparing to die, he delivers them over by number. This was the third numbering.

children = sons.

their fathers’ house: i.e. the families. These shown here to be fortyseven. In Genesis 46 they are fifty-two; so five are extinct (one of Simeon, one of Asher, and three of Benjamin).

Numbers 26:4

Take the sum of the people. This correctly supplies the Ellipsis from Numbers 26:2. See Figure of speech Ellipsis, App-6.

as = according to what.

Numbers 26:5

Reuben. Compare Genesis 46:8. Exodus 6:14. The order is the same as in Numbers 1:20, except that Ephraim and Manasseh are reversed. See App-45.

family. See note on “house”, Numbers 26:2, and throughout the chapter.

Numbers 26:6

Of Hezron = To Hezron [pertained], and so throughout. Compare verses: Numbers 26:12, Numbers 26:13, Numbers 26:15, Numbers 12:16, Numbers 12:17, Numbers 12:20, Numbers 12:21, Numbers 12:23, Numbers 12:24, Numbers 12:26, Numbers 12:28, Numbers 12:29, Numbers 12:30, Numbers 12:31-32.

Numbers 26:7

forty and three, &c. = 43,730 In =Numbers 1:2146; Numbers 1:500, decrease of 2,770. This is an undesigned evidence of accuracy: an uninspired writer would have made an increase.

Numbers 26:8

sons. A special reading of MS. called Sevir reads “son”. See App-34.

Numbers 26:9

which were famous, &c. Hebrew “the called of the congregation”. No Ellipsis.

strove = struggled. Hebrew. nazah. Compare Exodus 2:13. Leviticus 24:10. 2 Samuel 14:6. Compare Numbers 16:2, Numbers 16:3.

Numbers 26:10

And the earth. This tenth verse is a Parenthesis. See App-6.

sign: i.e. a warning.

Numbers 26:11

the children of Korah died not. Compare Numbers 16:32, Numbers 16:35. They were Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph (Exodus 6:24). Their descendants were prominent in the Temple-worship (1 Chronicles 6:22-38). Of them came Samuel (compare 1 Chronicles 6:33, 1 Chronicles 6:4 with 1 Samuel 1:20) and Heman (compare 1 Chronicles 6:33 with 1 Chronicles 25:4, 1 Chronicles 25:6). Two groups of Psalms are associated with them (42-49 and 84-88).

Numbers 26:23

Of. This word is not needed.

of Tola. Should be “to Tola [pertained]”, as in Numbers 26:6. The word “to” or “unto” is read in some codices with Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint.

Numbers 26:28

Manasseh comes before Ephraim here, because the tribe had increased. In Numbers 2:18, Numbers 2:20 Ephraim comes first, because he was the standard-bearer, and because of the blessing (Genesis 48:14).

Numbers 26:30

Jeezer. In Joshua 17:2, Abiezer. Only this tribe, and Judah (Numbers 26:21) had great-grandsons as “heads”. Compare Genesis 50:23.

Numbers 26:33

And = Now.

daughters. Compare Numbers 27:1; Numbers 36:1-12; and Joshua 17:3, Joshua 17:4. Their names are written Mahlah, Noah, Hoglab, Milcah (some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read “and Milcah”), and Tirzah.

Numbers 26:36

And. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel and Septuagint, omit “And”.

Numbers 26:40

of Ard. Ellipsis should be supplied thus: “[to Ard] pertiained”.

Numbers 26:41

forty and five, &c. = 45,600. In =Numbers 2:2335; Numbers 2:400, increase 10,200.

Numbers 26:43

threescore and four, &c. = 64,400. In =Numbers 2:2662; Numbers 2:700. Decrease = 1,700.

Numbers 26:44

children = sons.

Numbers 26:47

fifty and three, &c. = 63,400. In Numbers 2:28-41; Numbers 2:500, increase 11,900.

Numbers 26:50

forty and five, &c. = 45,400. In Numbers 2:30-53; Numbers 2:400, decrease 8,000.

Numbers 26:51

The total number, accomplishing the command, Numbers 26:2.

six hundred, &c. = 601,730. In =Numbers 2:32603; Numbers 2:550, total decrease 1,820. In Egypt they increased like fishes, Exodus 1:7, now they decrease.

Compare Psalms 78:17-33. Seven tribes increased (Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher), total 59,200, beside the 1,000 Levites. Five tribes decreased (Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim, and Naphtali), total 61,020.

LEAH, increase: in Judah 1900, Issachar 9,900, Zebulun 3,100, Levi 1,000; and decrease in Reuben 2,770, Simeon 37,100. Total decrease 23,970. RACHEL, increase: in Manasseh 20,500, Benjamin 10,200; and decrease in Ephraim 8,000; total increase 22,700. ZILPAH, increase: in Asher 11,900; and decrease in Gad 5,150; total increase 6,750. BILHAH, increase: in Daniel 1,700; and decrease in Naphtali 8,000; total decrease 6,300.

So, in the four camps: East camp, all increased; South camp, all decreased; West camp, Benjamin and Manasseh increased, Ephraim decreased; North camp, Dan and Asher increased, Naphtali decreased. On the whole, compare Job 12:9, Job 12:10, Job 12:14, Job 12:23.

Numbers 26:54

many = the greater number.

few = the smaller number.

Numbers 26:55

by = “upon”: i.e. “contingently upon” (see Numbers 26:56). By Eleazar (Numbers 34:17), because, as high priest, he had the Urim and Thummim, which were the lots cast. The high priest must be present for the lot to speak, and give Jehovah’s decision (Joshua 17:4). Compare Ezra 2:61-63. Nehemiah 7:63-65. The lot “came up” (Joshua 18:11); “came forth” (Joshua 19:1); “came out” (Joshua 19:17) of the bag (containing the Urim and Thummin) which was in or behind the breastplate. See note on Exodus 28:30, and compare Proverbs 16:33; Proverbs 18:18.

Numbers 26:56

the lot = Hebrew “the mouth of the lot”, as though the “lot” spoke and was personified, by the Figure of speech Prosopopoeia (App-6).

Numbers 26:59

Jochebed. Compare Exodus 2:1 with Exodus 6:20.

bare to Levi in Egypt. This explains apparent discrepancy between her age and that of Amram. See App-60.

Numbers 26:65

said. Forty years before. Compare Ch. Numbers 14:28-33.

shall surely die. Hebrew “a dying they will die”. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6). See note on Genesis 2:17; Genesis 26:28.

save Caleb, &c. Compare Numbers 14:24, Numbers 14:30, Numbers 14:38. The whole congregation therefore composed of men over twenty, and none older than sixty.