CLARITY EDITION · OLD TESTAMENT
Numbers 26
Chapter 26 of 36
Chapter Overview
What happens in Numbers 26
After the plague, God tells Moses and Eleazar to count all the men of Israel again. This second census shows how the nation has changed over forty years of wandering. The count will also be used to divide the Promised Land fairly among the tribes.
Scripture
Numbers 26
God Orders a New Census
Study note
Almost forty years had passed since the first census at Mount Sinai. An entire generation had died in the wilderness because of their refusal to enter the Promised Land. Now, on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River, God commanded a new counting of every man twenty years old and older who could serve in the army.
1 After the plague was over, the Lord told Moses and Eleazar, Aaron the priest's son, 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 "Conduct a census of the entire Israelite community. Count every man twenty years old or older who can serve in the army. Organize them by family groups." 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 Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke to the people. They were on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River across from Jericho. They said, And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
4 "Count everyone who is twenty years old and older, just as the Lord told Moses." Here are the Israelites who had come out of Egypt: 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.
The Tribes Are Counted
Study note
Each tribe was counted clan by clan. The total came to 601,730, which was slightly less than the first census of 603,550. Some tribes had grown while others had shrunk. The tribe of Simeon lost the most people, likely because of their involvement in the sin at Peor. Along the way, the census recalls important events like the rebellion of Korah and the story of Zelophehad's daughters.
5 Reuben was Israel's firstborn. His descendants formed these clans: the Hanochite clan from Hanoch, the Palluite clan from Pallu, Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:
6 the Hezronite clan from Hezron, and the Carmite clan from Carmi. Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
7 These were Reuben's clans, totaling 43,730 men. 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 Pallu's son was Eliab. And the sons of Pallu; Eliab.
9 Eliab's sons were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These were the same Dathan and Abiram -- well-known leaders -- who joined Korah's uprising against Moses and Aaron. That was truly a fight against the Lord. 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 The ground opened up and swallowed them along with Korah. That group perished when fire consumed 250 men. What happened to them became a warning for everyone. 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 Korah's own descendants, however, did not die. Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.
12 Simeon's descendants formed these clans: the Nemuelite clan from Nemuel, the Jaminite clan from Jamin, the Jachinite clan from Jachin, 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 the Zerahite clan from Zerah, and the Shaulite clan from Shaul. Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
14 These were Simeon's clans, totaling 22,200 men. These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.
15 Gad's descendants formed these clans: the Zephonite clan from Zephon, the Haggite clan from Haggi, the Shunite clan from Shuni, 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 the Oznite clan from Ozni, and the Erite clan from Eri, Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:
17 the Arodite clan from Arod, and the Arelite clan from Areli. Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
18 These were Gad's clans, totaling 40,500 men. These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.
19 Judah had sons named Er and Onan, but both of them died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.
20 Judah's other family members formed these clans. The Shelanite clan came from Shelah. The Perezite clan came from Perez. The Zerahite clan came from Zerah. 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 Perez had further descendants: the Hezronite clan from Hezron and the Hamulite clan from Hamul. And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.
22 These were Judah's clans, totaling 76,500 men. These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.
23 Issachar's descendants formed these clans: the Tolaite clan from Tola, the Punite clan from Puah, Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:
24 the Jashubite clan from Jashub, and the Shimronite clan from Shimron. Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.
25 These were Issachar's clans, totaling 64,300 men. These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.
26 Zebulun's descendants formed these clans: the Seredite clan from Sered, the Elonite clan from Elon, and the Jahleelite clan from Jahleel. 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 were Zebulun's clans, totaling 60,500 men. These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.
28 Joseph's descendants through Manasseh and Ephraim formed separate groups. The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim.
29 From Manasseh: the Machirite clan descended from Machir. Machir was the father of Gilead, and from Gilead came the Gileadite clan. 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 Gilead's descendants formed these clans: the Iezerite clan from Iezer, the Helekite clan from Helek, These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:
31 the Asrielite clan from Asriel, the Shechemite clan from Shechem, And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:
32 the Shemidaite clan from Shemida, and the Hepherite clan from Hepher. And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.
33 Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons -- only daughters. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 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 were Manasseh's clans, totaling 52,700 men. These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.
35 Ephraim's descendants formed these clans: the Shuthelahite clan from Shuthelah, the Becherite clan from Becher, and the Tahanite clan from Tahan. 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 Shuthelah had a further descendant: the Eranite clan from Eran. And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
37 These were Ephraim's clans, totaling 32,500 men. These were all the descendants of Joseph, listed by their clans. 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 Benjamin's family formed these clans. The Belaite clan came from Bela. The Ashbelite clan came from Ashbel. The Ahiramite clan came from Ahiram. 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 the Shuphamite clan from Shupham, and the Huphamite clan from Hupham. Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.
40 Bela had descendants through Ard and Naaman: the Ardite clan from Ard, and the Naamite clan from Naaman. 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 were Benjamin's clans, totaling 45,600 men. 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 Dan's descendants formed one clan: the Shuhamite clan from Shuham. 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 The total for all the Shuhamite clans was 64,400 men. All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.
44 Asher's descendants formed these clans: the Imnite clan from Imnah, the Ishvite clan from Ishvi, and the Beriite clan from Beriah. 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 Beriites.
45 Beriah had further descendants: the Heberite clan from Heber, and the Malchielite clan from Malchiel. Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.
46 Asher also had a daughter named Serah. And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.
47 These were Asher's clans, totaling 53,400 men. 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.
48 Naphtali's descendants formed these clans: the Jahzeelite clan from Jahzeel, the Gunite clan from Guni, Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:
49 the Jezerite clan from Jezer, and the Shillemite clan from Shillem. Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
50 These were Naphtali's clans, totaling 45,400 men. 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 The grand total for all Israelite men was 601,730. These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
Dividing the Land by the Census
Study note
God explained that the Promised Land would be divided among the tribes based on their population. Larger tribes would receive more land, and smaller tribes would receive less. The actual locations would be assigned by casting lots, which was a way of letting God guide the decision.
52 The Lord told Moses, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
53 "Divide the land among these tribes as their inheritance, based on how many people are in each one." Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.
54 "Bigger tribes get a bigger share, and smaller tribes get a smaller share. Each tribe's portion should match the number of people counted in it." 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 "But the actual locations must be decided by casting lots. Each tribe will receive its territory according to the names of its ancestral tribes." Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.
56 "Using the lot system, the land will be fairly divided between larger tribes and smaller tribes." According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.
The Levites Counted Separately
Study note
The Levites were counted separately because they would not receive a portion of land like the other tribes. Their role was to serve at the tabernacle. The Levite count was 23,000 males one month old and older. The passage also mentions the family of Moses and Aaron and the deaths of Nadab and Abihu.
57 Here are the Levites counted by family groups. The Gershonite family came from Gershon. The Kohathite family came from Kohath. The Merarite family came from Merari. 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 Additional Levite clans included the Libnites, Hebronites, Mahlites, Mushites, and Korahites. Now, Kohath was the father of Amram. 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 Amram married Jochebed, who was from the tribe of Levi, born to that tribe while they lived in Egypt. She gave birth to Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam. 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 Aaron's sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
61 Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorized fire in the Lord's presence. And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.
62 The total count of Levite males one month old or older was 23,000. They were counted separately from the rest of Israel because they did not receive any land inheritance. 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.
A New Generation
Study note
The chapter ends with a sobering note. Not a single person from the first census was still alive, except for Caleb and Joshua. These two men had trusted God when the others had not, and they were the only ones from that generation who would enter the Promised Land.
63 Moses and Eleazar the priest took this count. They did it on the plains of Moab. They were by the Jordan River, across from Jericho. 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 Not one person in this count had been part of the earlier count. Moses and Aaron had done that first count in the Sinai wilderness. 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 The Lord had declared that every person from that earlier generation would die in the wilderness. And they did -- all of them, except for Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 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.
Key Themes
Themes in Numbers 26
A new generation prepared for the promiseGod's faithfulness despite human failureFair distribution and justiceMoving forward after judgment
Apply This Today
Living Numbers 26
The second census counted a new generation, the children of those who had rebelled. God's plans are not derailed by one generation's failure. He raises up new people to carry his purposes forward. This gives hope that God's promises outlast our mistakes.
Go Deeper
Study Numbers in Covenant Path
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