Numbers 26

Numbers 26:1-51

**D. THE SECOND CENSUS (Numbers 26:1-51)

TEXT**

Numbers 26:1. And it came to pass after the plague, that the Lord spake unto Moses 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 fathers-’ house, all that are able to go to war in Israel. 3. And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, 4. Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the Lord commanded Moses 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 Hanbchites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites: 6. Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: 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 Moses 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.
6. The 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: 13. Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. 14. These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.
7. The children 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: 16. Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites: 17. Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, 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.
8. 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 Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites. 21. And the sons of Pharez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22. These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.
9. Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites: 24. Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 25. These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.
10. Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, 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, threescore thousand and five hundred.
11. The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim. 29. Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites. 30. These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites: 31. And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites: 32. And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.
12. And Zelophehad 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. 34. These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand seven hundred.
13. These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher, the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. 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.
14. The 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: 39. Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40. And the sons of Bela were Ard 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.
15. These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families. 43. All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.
16. Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites: 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 four hundred.
17. Of the sons 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. These 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. These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 26:1. Then it happened after the plague that the Lord spoke to Moses and to Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 2. Count all the assembly of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and up, according to their fathers-’ houses, all who are able to go to war in Israel. 3. So Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, 4. Count the people from twenty years old and up, just as the Lord has commanded Moses. Now the sons of Israel who had come forth from the -land of Egypt were:

5. Reuben, the oldest son of Israel; the children of Reuben: Hanokh, the family of the Hamochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites; 6. of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. 7. These are the families of the Reubenites, and those who were counted of them were 43,730. 8. And the sons of Pallu: Eliab. 9. And the sons of Eliab: Nemuel and Dathan and Abiram. This is the Dathan and Abiram who were called by the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the Lord. 10. And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah when that company died; and at that time the fire devoured 250 men; and they became a symbol. 11. But the sons of Korah did not die.
6. The sons of Simeon, according to their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites; of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites; of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites; 13. of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites; of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. 14. These are the families of the Simeonites, 22,200.
7. The sons of Gad according to their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites; of Haggi, the family of the Haggites; of Shuni, the family of Shunites; 16. of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites; 17. of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites. 18. These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were counted of them, 40,500.
8. The sons of Judah were Er and Onan; but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20. And the sons of Judah according to their families were: of Shelah, the family of Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites. 21. And the sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22. These are the families of Judah according to those who were counted of them, 76,500.
9. The sons of Issachar according to their families: of Tola, the family of the Talaites; of Puvah, the family of the Punites; 24. of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 25. These are the families of Issachar according to those who were counted of them, 64,300.
10. The sons of Zebulun according to their families: of Sered, the family of the Sereditess: 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 who were counted of them, 60,500.
11. The sons of Joseph according to their families: Manasseh and Ephraim. 29. The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir became the father of Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites. 30. These are the sons of Gilead: of Iezer, the family of the Iezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites; 31. and of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites; 32. and of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.
12. Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but only daughters; and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. 34. These are the families of Manasseh; and those who were counted of them were 52,700.
13. These are the sons of Ephraim according to their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelaites; of Becher, the family of the Becherites; of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. 36. And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites. 37. These are the families of the sons of Epharaim according to those who were counted of them, 32,500. These are the sons of Joseph according to their families.
14. The sons of Benjamin according to their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites; 39. of Shephupham, the family of the Shuphamites; of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40. And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41. These are the sons of Benjamin according to their families; and those who were counted of them were 45,600.
15. These are the sons of Dan according to their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan according to their families. 43. All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those who were counted of them, were 64,400.
16. The sons of Asher according to their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites: of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites; 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 Serah. 47. These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those who were counted of them 53,400.
17. The sons of Naphtali according to 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. These are the families of Naphtali according to their families; and those who were counted of them were 45,400. 51. These are those who were counted of the sons of Israel, 601,730.

COMMENTARY

The census taken just before Israel made final preparations to enter into Canaan served two purposes: they were mustered for battle against the Midianites, and they are counted in preparation for the proper division of tribal inheritances in the new land. Only 12,000 men were actually involved in the battle with Midian (Numbers 31:5); the entire nation was involved in the land division.

As might be expected, some of the tribes suffered decreases during the arduous travels in the wilderness, whereas others increased. The seven which increased were Judah (up by 1,900); Issachar (9,900); Zebulun (e, 100); Joseph’s sons (total increase of 2,500, although Ephraim had lost 8,000); Benjamin (10,200); Dan (700); and Asher (11,900). The five suffering losses were Gad (down by 6,150); Ephraim (as mentioned, 8,000); Naphtali, (8,000); Simeon (a phenomenal drop of 37,100); and, Reuben, (2,770). The grand total of 601,730 counted represents a slight loss of 1,820a remarkable fact in considering that all of those over twenty years of age at the time of the exodus are now dead, and that they had endured such a rigorous life in the rugged terrain through which they had come. It is evident that the hand of God had led and blessed them in a marvelous way. The original manner of counting, including the same formula used in the first census, is preserved. The order is alike excepting for the reversal of positions between Ephraim and Manasseh. Since Aaron is now dead, his son Eleazar works together with Moses in this endeavor.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

Where was the final census of Israel taken?

For what two purposes did the Lord order the census?

Compile parallel lists of the first and second countings of the people of Israel, showing the gain or loss of each tribe.

Outline the standard formula used to report the count for all the tribes and families.

Numbers 26:52-56

E. INSTRUCTIONS FOR LAND ALLOTMENT vv. 52-56 TEXT

Numbers 26:52. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, 53. Unto these 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.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 26:52. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Among these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the census of names. 54. To the larger number you shall give the larger inheritance; to the smaller number you shall give the smaller inheritance; each shall have his inheritance according to those who were counted of him. 55. But the land shall be divided by lot. They shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. 56. According to their selection by lot, their inheritance shall be divided between the larger and the smaller.

COMMENTARY

Two factors figure in the division of the land to the tribest the size of each tribe is to be considered; the actual area specified for each will be established by casting lots. IC summarily pronounces the principles clear but contradictory; ICC reports the meaning is not quite clear.. . how these two in themselves irreconcilable principles are both to be respected in the division is not said; PC reports the second order (division by lot) can only be reconciled with the preceding order by assuming that the lot was to determine the situation of the territory, the actual boundaries being left to the discretion of the rulers. Only KD, of the sources cited, makes a genuine attempt to reconcile the methods: In Numbers 26:53-54, the command is given to distribute the land as an inheritance among the twelve tribes (-unto these-’), according to the number of the names (chap. Numbers 1:2-18), i.e., of the persons counted by name in each of their families. To a numerous tribe they were to make the inheritance great; to the littleness, i.e., to the tribes and families that contained only a few persons, they were to make it small. In Numbers 26:55-56, it is still further commanded that the distribution should take place by lot.. The meaning of these words can only be, that every tribe was to receive a province of its own for an inheritance, which should be called by its name for ever. The other regulation in Numbers 26:56, -according to the measure of the lot shall its inheritance (the inheritance of every tribe) be divided between the numerous and the small (tribe),-’ is no doubt to be understood as signifying, that in the division of the tribe territories, according to the comparative sizes of the different tribes, they were to adhere to that portion of land which fell to every tribe in the casting of the lots. The magnitude and limits of the possessions of the different tribes could not be determined by the lot according to the magnitude of the tribes themselves: all that could possibly be determined was the situation to be occupied by the tribe.. The lot was to determine the portion of every tribe, not merely to prevent all occasion for dissatisfaction and complaining, but in order that every tribe might receive with gratitude the possession that fell to its lot as the inheritance assigned it by God, the result of the lot being regarded by almost all nations as determined by God Himself (cf. Proverbs 16:33; Proverbs 18:18), (pp. 210, 211).

Because the precise boundaries used in the actual division of the tribal inheritances cannot be established, we can make but a general observation: the inheritances did not follow a rigid formula by which the most populous tribes received the greatest areas from largest to smallest; however, there is a general relationship between the two factors. Manasseh and Ephraim together, as sons of Joseph, constituted by far the largest descendants of any single son of Jacob, and received easily the greatest area of land. Judah, next largest tribe, received the second largest portion. This is an especially significant fact because of the prominent role Judah was destined to play in the unfolding history of God’s people. The land itself was well situated and productive. Excepting for the Jeshimon, it was totally habitable. It was an ideal portion within which the longest-faithful portion of the people could live to greatest advantage for the longest period of time. Such a fact cannot be overlooked when one considers the guiding hand of God in the lot distribution. The exact extent of other territories pales into unimportance, then, after this established fact: and further inquiry about the significance of the size of any particular portion is almost without meaning. Perhaps the most important point of all is that God guided the distribution of all the portions so that every tribe had as much as it needed, and more than it ever used to fullest advantage either materially or spiritually.

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

Look up data on the various methods used to determine decisions by means of casting lots.

Why would it be important for the land to be divided in relationship to the sizes of the various tribes?

Reconcile the two methods given in this portion of Scripture: how could they both be used in the land distribution?

To what extent did the actual land distribution relate to the size of the individual tribes?

What important facts emerge when we look at the ultimate results of the land allotment?

Numbers 26:57-65

F. CENSUS OF THE LEVITES vv. 57-65 TEXT

Numbers 26:57. And these 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 Merari, the family of the Merarites. 58. These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, 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 she bare unto Amram, Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister. 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 those 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.

63. These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. 64. But among these 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.

PARAPHRASE

Numbers 26:57. And these are those who were numbered of the Levites according to their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites; of Merari, the family of the Merarites. 58. These 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. And Kohath became the father of Amram. 59. And the 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 their sister, Miriam. 60. And to Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 61. But Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before the Lord. 62. And those who were counted of them were 23,000 every male from one month of age and up, for they were not counted among the sons of Israel, since no inheritance was given them among the sons of Israel.

63. These are those who were counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who counted the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64. But among those there was not a man of those who were counted by Moses and Aaron the priest who counted the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai, 65. for the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And not a man was left of them, excepting Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

COMMENTARY

We have here an incomplete listing of the Levitical families. The purpose of the abbreviated passage seems to be concentrated on establishing the descent of Moses, Aaron and Miriam rather than all the families of Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The counting was complete, of course, when originally done, and shows that the Levites had increased by one thousand. Once more, their numbering began with sons at one month of age.

No general land allotment was awarded later to the Levites. Instead, they received forty-eight cities distributed throughout the land (see Numbers 35:1-8 and Joshua 21), in order that they might serve all of the people.

The genealogical chart here is much abbreviated, since Jochebed could not have been the daughter of Levi himself. The word daughter is properly understood to mean she was a direct female descendant; the number of generations intervening would be irrelevant. Jochebed here becomes one of a select few women who figure prominently in any Biblical genealogy. No doubt the most prominent names to be found in such lists would be those of Rahab and Ruth, listed in Matthew’s chart of Jesus Christ’s ancestors (Numbers 1:5). Matthew also gives Tamar, who bore Phares and Zara to Judah (Numbers 1:3); he alludes to her that had been the wife of Urias (Bathsheba, Numbers 1:6) as well. But the appearance of any feminine name in genealogical listings among the Jews was rare enough to be notable, and places Jochebed in perspective as the great woman she must have been.

Our attention is called appropriately to the fact that among all those counted in the second census, there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, with the exception of Caleb and Joshua, since all those above twenty years of age at the time of the first census were now dead, (cf. Numbers 14:23; Numbers 14:28-30).

QUESTIONS AND RESEARCH ITEMS

Are there good reasons for omitting many names of the sons of Levi and their descendants?

What difference was there in the total number of Levites since the first census?

Why is it impossible that Jochebed might have been the daughter of Levi?

How are we to understand the use of the word daughter here?

Why are there so few names of women given in the genealogical lists of the Israelites? Find as many examples as you can.

How many Israelites were counted in the second census who had been tallied in the first? Who were they?