Numbers 26
McGeeCHAPTER 26THEME: Census of the new generationThis is the beginning of a new section of the Book of Numbers. The new generation is preparing to enter the land. The remainder of the Book of Numbers is occupied with this preparation.
Numbers 26:7
CENSUS OF THE NEW GENERATIONWhen we compare the census taken the second year of their wilderness march with the census taken the fortieth year of their march, we find a considerable difference. The following chart, prepared by Keil and Delitzsch in their Commentary on the Old Testament shows that while there was considerable increase in some of the tribes, there was a decided decrease in others. The total decrease for Israel was 1,820. First NumberingSecond Numbering-102Reuben46,50043,730-102Simon59,30022,200-102Gad45,65040,500-102Judah74,60076,500-102Issachar54,40064,300-102Zebulon57,40060,500-102Ephraim40,50032,500-102Manasseh32,20052,700-102Benjamin35,40045,600-102Dan62,70064,400-102Asher41,50053,400-102Nephtali53,40045,400-102Total603,550601,730For example, the tribe of Reuben became smaller by 2,770 persons. If you turn back to the census in the first chapter, you will find, “Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Reuben, were forty and six thousand and five hundred” (Num_1:21). That was forty years earlier when they started out in the wilderness. In contrast to Reuben, the tribe of Dan showed a marked increase.
Numbers 26:42
At the first census it was said of Dan,“Those that were numbered of them, even of the tribe of Dan, were threescore and two thousand and seven hundred” (Num_1:39). In other words, Dan increased by 1,700 persons. However, the second census revealed that Israel was smaller by 1,820 persons. The old generation died in the wilderness, just as God had told them. “Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me” (Num_14:29).
Numbers 26:64
This is now the new generation. All the old generation, except Caleb and Joshua, have died. God did not hold those who were under twenty responsible for the failure and rebellion at Kadesh-barnea. This may give us some indication as to the age of accountability. I do not know when it is, and I do not mean to suggest that it is twenty, but I think it is older than many of us suspect. This is a new generation with the exception of two men. We are going to get better acquainted with these two interesting men when we come to the book of Joshua.