Números 26
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Números 26
NJB (MT versing) Census of a New Generation The Second Census of Israel A Second Census The Second Census The Census 26:1-4a 26:1-4 26:1-4a 26:1-4a 26:1 26:2 26:3-4 26:4b 26:4b 26:4b 26:5-11 26:5-11 26:5-11 26:5-11 26:5-7 26:8-11 26:12-14 26:12-14 26:12-14 26:12-14 26:12-14 26:15-18 26:15-18 26:15-18 26:15-18 26:15-18 26:19-22 26:19-22 26:19-22 26:19-22 26:19-22 26:23-25 26:23-25 26:23-25 26:23-25 26:23-25 26:26-27 26:26-27 26:26-27 26:26-27 26:26-27 26:28-34 26:28-34 26:28-34 26:28 26:28 26:29-34 26:29-34 26:35-37 26:35-37 26:35-37 26:35-37a 26:35-37a 26:37b 26:37b 26:38-41 26:38-41 26:38-41 26:38-41 26:38-41 26:42-43 26:42-43 26:42-43 26:42-43 26:42-43 26:44-47 26:44-47 26:44-47 26:44-47 26:44-47 26:48-50 26:48-50 26:48-50 26:48-50 26:48-50 26:51 26:51 26:51 26:51 26:51 26:52-56 26:52-56 26:52-56 26:52-56 26:52-56 Census of Levites 26:57-62 26:57-62 26:57-62 26:57-62 26:57 26:58a 26:58b-61 26:62 26:63-65 26:63-65 26:63-65 26:63-65 26:63-65 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS This book of Moses is called "Numbers" because of the two "censuses," chapters 1 and 26. List of tribes and their numbers. Numbers 1 Numbers 26 1. Reuben 46,500 43,730 2. Simeon 59,300 22,200 3. Gad 45,650 40,500 4. Judah 74,600 76,500 5. Issachar 54,400 64,300 6. Zebulun 57,400 60,500 7. Ephraim 40,500 32,500 8. Manasseh 32,200 52,700 9. Benjamin 35,400 45,600 10. Dan 62,700 64,400 11. Asher 41,500 53,400 12. Naphtali 53,400 45,400 603,550 601,730 These numbers seem far too large. It is possible the term "thousand" is the key to a smaller number. See SPECIAL TOPIC: THOUSAND (eleph) and Roland de Vaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 65-67 Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 51-54 Gleason Archer, Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, pp. 129-134 If Israel were this large she would have no problem defeating the Canaanites, but she needs YHWH's help.
Números 26:1-4
26:1 "the plague" This refers to Num. 25:6-9. See notes there. 26:2 This is parallel to Num. 1:2-3. It is a military census. Israel is about to enter Canaan. However, in this case the current size of the tribes would determine how large their land allotment was (cf. Num. 26:52-56).
Números 26:5-11
26:9 The rebellion of Korah and some families of Reuben is recorded in Numbers 15. See notes there.
Números 26:19-22
26:20 "Perez" This will become the line of David, the line of Jesus.
Números 26:28-34
26:29 "Gilead" This person (BDB 166) is listed as a descendant of Manasseh (same variety with "Shechem," Num. 26:31). This is a good name to show how these functioned in the OT. a person ‒ here; Jdgs. 11:1-2 a tribe ‒ here; Jdgs. 5:17 a region ‒ Josh. 22:9; Jdgs. 10:17 sometimes a city This is true of many of the names and one is not always sure which possibility is meant. 26:33 See note at Num. 26:46.
Números 26:44-47
26:46 No reason is given why this one "daughter" is mentioned. Daughters are mentioned when there are no sons in Num. 26:33 (cf. Num. 27:1-11; 36:1; Josh. 17:3).
Números 26:52-56
26:53-56 This procedure is also mentioned in Num. 33:54; 34:13. It is done in Joshua 12-19. See SPECIAL TOPIC: URIM AND THUMMIM.
Números 26:57-62
26:57-62 The Levites are numbered for service not for war (cf. Numbers 3). They do not receive a land inheritance. They do receive 48 cities (cf. Numbers 35; Joshua 20-21). 26:60-61 This reflects Leviticus 10. See notes there.
Números 26:63-65
26:63-65 This new census was necessary for military purposes to adjust the number because of the judgment of YHWH on the generation that believed the spies' report (i.e., Numbers 13) 26:65 "They shall surely die" This is an intensified grammatical feature (an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and IMPERFECT VERB from the same root, BDB 559, KB 562). This is a fulfillment of Num. 14:26-39. ▣ "except Caleb. . .Joshua" These are the two spies who brought a positive report. Only these two of that whole generation entered Canaan (cf. Num. 14:30,38). Not even Moses, Aaron, or Miriam entered.