Numbers 26

Numbers 26:1-51

In this chapter. 1. Orders are given for numbering the people, ver. 1—4. 2. A register of the families, and numbers of each tribe, ver. 5—50, and the four tribal, ver. 51. 3. Direction given to decide the land among them, ver. 52—56. 4. The families and numbers of the families by themselves, ver. 57—61. 5. Notice is taken of the fulfilling of the threatening in the death of all those that were first numbered, ver. 63—65.

1. A WID it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moes, and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 2. ‘Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel,’ from twenty years old and upward, throughout their father’s house, all that are able to go to war in Israel. 3. And Moes and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Maab, by Jordan, near Jericho, saying, 4. ‘Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward, as the LORD commanded Moes and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt. 5. ¶ ‘Reuben the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hancushes: of Pallu, the family of the Palliutes: 6. Of Hefson, the family of the Hefsonites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. 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. 8. And the sons of Pallu; Eliab. 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 Moes and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD: 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. 11. Notwithstanding, the children of Korah died not. 12. ¶ The sons of Simeon after their families: of 1 Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of 1 Jachin, the family of the Jachinites: 13. Of 1 Zera, the family of the Zariites: of Shaul, the fa-

mily of the Shaulites. 14. These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred. 15. ¶ The children of Gad, after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shimi, the family of the Shunites: 16. Of Ozeni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Eriites: 17. Of Arod, the family of the Arolites: of Arel, the family of the Arelites. 18. These are the families of the children of Gad, according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred. 19. ¶ The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20. And the sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharazites: of Zerah, the family of the Zariites: 21. And the sons of Pharez were: of Hefson, the family of the Hefsonites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22. These are the families of Judah, according to those that were numbered of them, three more and four thousand and three hundred. 23. ¶ Of the sons of Elfachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Toliates: of 1 Nia, the family of the Punites: 24. Of 1 Jafhuh, the family of the Jafhuhites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 25. These are the families of Elfachar, according to those that were numbered of them, three more and four thousand and three hundred. 26. ¶ Of the sons of Zebulan, after their families: of Seed, the family of the Sardites: of Elon, the family of the Elonites: of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites. 27. These are the families of the Zebulunites, according to those that were numbered of them, three more thousand and five hundred. 28. ¶ The sons of Joseph after their families, were Manafieh and Ephraim. 29. Of the sons of Menafieh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: of Michir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites. 30. These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeraz, the family of the Jezerites: of Helek the family of the Helekites: 31. And of Afriel, the family of the Afrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites: 32. And of Shemila, the family of the Shemiletites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. 33. ¶ And Zelebehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelebehad, were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Mikah, and Hirah. 34. These are the families of Manafieh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred. 35. ¶ These are the sons of Ephraim, after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalites: of Beclar, the family of the Bachites: of Taban, the family of the Tabanites. 36. And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites: 37. 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. 38. ¶ The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belzites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites: 39. Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40. And of the sons of Bela were: And and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41. These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred. 42. ¶ These are the sons of Dan after their families: of 1 Shubam, the family of the Shubamites. These are the families of Dan after their families. 43. All the families of the Shubamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were three more and four thousand and four hundred. 44. ¶ Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jinna, the family of the Jaminites: of Jefai, the family of the Jefaiites: of Beriah, the family of the Berites. 45. Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. 46. And the name of the daughter of Asher, was Sarah. 47. These are the families of the sons of Asher, according to those that were numbered of them, who were fifty and three thousand

and

and four hundred. 48. Of the tons of Naphtali, after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites: 49. Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites. 50. Thefe are the families of Naphtali, according to their families: and they that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and four hundred. 51. Thefe were numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.

At God’s command Moses, and Eleazar now joined in commission with him, number the people after the plague. Though they are corrected, they are not given over unto death. Their numbers, notwithstanding the judgments whereby they had been confumed, were but inconsiderably diminished; though the several tribes had undergone great changes, seven of them had increased, whilst five had been diminished, and some of them in a surprising degree. It is observable that Simeon and Reuben were among the latter, whose princes are mentioned in the former rebellions as chief, and probably their tribes suffered for their adherence to them. Partakes of other men’s son must suffer with them. Dathan and Abiram are again flamped with the brand of infamy; and Korah’s children taken notice of, as not dying with their father: as they seem not to have joined their father in rebellion, they are feared as monuments of God’s mercy, and employed, as their brethren, in the service of the landhouse. If children follow not their parents ill examples, they shall not be upbraided with them.

52. ¶ And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, 53. Unto thefe the land shall be divided for an inheritance, according to the number of names. 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. 55. Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. 56. According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided, between many and few.

Numbers 26:3-34

51. v See Chap. lii. & ix. & xxvi. 17. 1 Chose. vi, & xx. 8. 1 Chap. xxvi. 8a. 2 Chap. III. 10, 58. & xxvii. 22. Not overspent. v. 1, 2. Robert Chaff 140th.

v. 1, 2. Order in their march and encampments is here prescribed. They were a military body, moving to the promised land. God’s Israel, like them, are fighting the good fight of faith, and waiting to change the tabernacle of the body, for the city of God. Each tribe was camped under the enign of his squadron. What colours or figures each bore are uncertain. And each man poffed under his own standard, among his own relations. Thus mutual love would be cultivated, and mutual assistance be given.—Each squadron had a different enign, but all served in the same cause. The different denominations of real cholfans, though their standards differ, are engaged in the same warfare. The tabernacle was in the centre. For God is the strength of his Israel, their courage and success is from him. And each of their camps at a respectful alliance, not too near to disturb the solemn service, nor too distant, to make their attendance inconvenient. Note, Our wilderness there is short; yet a little while, and we shall encamp around the throne of God in glory, and Jesus, the captain of our salvation, spread over us the banner of his everlasting love.

3. ¶ And on the east side toward the rising of the sun, shall they of the standard of the camp of Judah pitch, throughout their armies: and Nahfion the son of Ammisadah shall be captain of the children of Judah. 4. And his hoft, and those that were numbered of them, were threefere and fourteen thousand and six hundred. 5. And those that do pitch next unto him, shall be the tribe of Iffachar: and Nathaneel the son of Zuar shall be captain of the children of Iffachar. 6. And his hoft, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and four thousand and four hundred. 7. Then the tribe of Zebulun: and Eliab the son of Helon shall be captain of the children of Zebulun. 8. And his hoft, and those that were numbered thereof, were fifty and seven thousand and four hundred. 9. All that were numbered in the camp of Judah, were an hundred thousand and fourfere thousand and six thousand and four hundred, throughout their armies: Thee shall first set forth. 10. ¶ On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben, according to their armies: and the captain of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur, the son of Shedeur. 11. And his hoft, and those that were numbered thereof, were forty and six thousand and five hundred. 12. And those which pitch by him, shall be the tribe of Simeon, and the captain of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurifhadda. 13. And his hoft, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and nine thousand and three hundred. 14. Then the tribe of Gad: and the captain of the sons of Gad shall be Eliab, the son of Reuel. 15. And his hoft, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and five thousand and six hundred and fifty. 16. All that were numbered in the camp of Reuben, were an hundred thousand and fifty and one thousand and four hundred and fifty, throughout their armies: and they shall set forth in the second rank. 17. ¶ Then the tabernacle of the congregation shall set forward with the camp of the Levites, in the midst of the camp; as they encamp, so shall they set forward, every man in his place by their standards. 18. ¶ On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim, according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim, shall be Elifhama the son of Ammihad. 19. And his hoft, and those that were numbered of them, were forty thousand and five hundred. 20. And by him shall be the tribe of Manafieh: and the captain of the children of Manafieh, shall be Gamalee the son of Pedahzur. 21. And his hoft, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and two thousand and two hundred. 22. Then the tribe of Benjamin: and the captain of the sons of Benjamin, shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni. 23. And his hoft, and those that were numbered of them, were thirty and five thousand and four hundred. 24. All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim, were an hundred thousand and eight thousand and six hundred, throughout their armies: and they shall go forward in the third rank. 25. ¶ The standard of the camp of Dan shall be on the north side by their armies: and the captain of the children of Dan, shall be Ahjezer the son of Ammihadda. 26. And his hoft, and those that were numbered of them, were threefere and two thousand and seven hundred. 27. And those that encamp by him, shall be the tribe of Aftier: and the

captain of the children of Aftier, shall be Pagil the son of Orcan. 28. And his hoft, and those that were numbered of them, were forty and one thousand and five hundred. 29. Then the tribe of Naphtali: and the captain of the children of Naphtali, shall be Ahita the son of Erian. 30. And his hoft, and those that were numbered of them, were fifty and three thousand and four hundred. 31. All they that were numbered in the camp of Dan, were an hundred thousand and fifty and seven thousand and six hundred: they shall go hindmost with their standards. 32. ¶ These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel, by the house of their fathers, * all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hofts, were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. 33. But the Levites were not numbered among the children of Israel; as the LORD commanded Moses. 34. And the children of Israel did according to all that the LORD commanded Moses: so they pitched by their standards, and so they set forward, every one after their families, according to the house of their fathers.

When God himself settles the precedence, there is no room left for dispute among themselves. Those whom God honours we may not envy. Judah leads the sun, with Iffachar and Zebulun, each under captains of their own tribes. Subordination in rank and station is God’s appointment, and must be observed. Nothing but pride makes men levellers. Judah was the tribe whence Shiloh was expected, and therefore justly preferred to lead the way in Canaan; as Christ his offspring was to be the captain of eternal salvation to his people. Reuben, who encamped on the south, followed next with Simeon and Gad. Levi encamped within, between the rest of the tribes and the tabernacle, and marched in the midst of them, defended before and behind. Of all things dear to us the church of God should be first, and best guarded, and her ministers especially protected. Ephraim, with Manafieh and Benjamin, encamped westward, and followed the tabernacle, whilst Dan, with Aftier and Naphtali, encamped on the north, and in the march closed the rear; he, near to Judah, was most numerous, and therefore first for the post affigned. God’s dispositions are always wise, and just, and good. Obedience ready and cheerful was paid to all these centers. God’s word must thus regulate our march, as God’s providence deth our station; and when the one is cheerfully submitted to, and the other carefully followed, then we are sure of the divine blessing, and may go forth boldly, conquering and to conquer all our spiritual enemies.

Numbers 26:52-56

The land is ordered to be divided before it is conquered, because the possession was enlured to them. The division of it is according to their numbers; the larger tribe shall have most, the latter in proportion: and yet this is to be determined by lot, that so every tribe may for God’s appointment in the bounds of their habitation, and acquiesce in it. Note, Our place and abode, and a thousand circumstances of our lives, to us from utterly fortuitous; but all correspond with God’s decree, and answer the eternal plan of his providence: a terrible reason for unceived resignation and contentment in every place or station.

57. ¶ And thefe 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 Menari, the family of the Merarites. 58. Thefe are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahites, the family of the Muthites, the family of the Korathites: and Kohath begat Amram. 59. And the name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and the bare unto Amram, Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their father. 60. And unto Aaron was born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 61. And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD. 62. And thefe 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.

Numbers 26:57-62

Though the tribe of Levi came not under the sentence pronounced on the roll, they continued still the smallest tribe; and were increased but one thousand during their forty years. Nadab and Abihu’s punishment, like Korah’s, is remarked, that their brethren might remember, and dread to follow so bad examples.

63. ¶ Thefe are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel, in the plains of Meah, by Jordan near Jericho. 64. But among thefe 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. 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.

Numbers 26:63-65

Here is a most observable accomplishment of the Divine threatening. Not a man is left of the former numbering, save Caleb and Joshua. Note, (1.) Nothing can disappoint the Divine decree. The former, however long enjoined, must perish at the last. (2.) Our lives are in God’s hand, and every arrow of death hath its name and commission written on it; they are perfectly safe amidst the pestilence, and the garments rolled in blood, concerning whom God faith, Come not near the men on whom is any mark.