Numbers 26

Numbers 26 recounts the second census of the Israelites in the wilderness, taken toward the end of their journey before entering the Promised Land. This census focuses on counting the new generation, as most of the older generation had died due to their disobedience. The census is significant because it determines the allotment of land and the structure of the army as the Israelites prepare to inherit Canaan.

Numbers 26:1-3 (NKJV)
1 And it came to pass, after the plague, that the Lord spoke to Moses and Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying:
2 “Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel from twenty years old and above, by 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, across from Jericho, saying,

The Lord instructs Moses and Eleazar, the new high priest, to take a census of the Israelites after the recent plague. This census is meant to count all males aged twenty and above who are able to serve in the army. The census occurs in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, near the land they are about to enter. It serves as a fresh start for the new generation, preparing them for both inheritance and battle.

Numbers 26:4 (NKJV)
4 “Take a census of the people from twenty years old and above, just as the Lord commanded Moses and the children of Israel who came out of the land of Egypt.”

This census mirrors the earlier one taken in the first year after leaving Egypt. It represents the beginning of a new chapter for the nation. The previous generation is nearly gone due to their rebellion, and this count will help establish the new generation’s readiness for inheriting the land and fighting for it.

Numbers 26:5-7 (NKJV)
5 Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. The children of Reuben were: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; 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: those who were numbered of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty.

The tribe of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel, is listed first in the census. Their count is 43,730 men. Despite being the firstborn, Reuben’s tribe does not receive any special inheritance due to Reuben’s sin with his father’s concubine (Genesis 35:22). This census emphasizes that, regardless of past mistakes, they still form a part of the nation.

Numbers 26:8-11 (NKJV)
8 And the son of Pallu was Eliab.
9 The sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram, representatives of 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 together with Korah when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men; and they became a sign.
11 Nevertheless the children of Korah did not die.

Here, we see a reference to the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram, who joined Korah in his defiance against Moses. Their rebellion ended with their deaths when the earth swallowed them up. However, the sons of Korah were spared, showing God's mercy in preserving a remnant despite the rebellion.

Numbers 26:12-14 (NKJV)
12 The sons of Simeon according to their families were: 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-two thousand two hundred.

Simeon’s tribe is next, counted at 22,200 men. This is a significant decrease from their previous census (59,300 in Numbers 1:23), which may reflect the consequences of their participation in sinful acts, such as the events involving the Midianite women in Numbers 25. This drastic reduction highlights how sin can affect the destiny of a tribe.

Numbers 26:15-18 (NKJV)
15 The sons of Gad according to their families were: 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 sons of Gad according to those who were numbered of them: forty thousand five hundred.

The tribe of Gad is counted at 40,500 men. Gad’s tribe remains steady compared to previous numbers. Their territory will eventually be on the east side of the Jordan River, indicating their willingness to claim the land before fully entering the Promised Land.

Numbers 26:19-22 (NKJV)
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 according to their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelahites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.
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 numbered of them: seventy-six thousand five hundred.

Judah’s tribe is the largest, with 76,500 men. The tribe of Judah plays a central role in Israel's history, including the line of King David and ultimately the Messiah. Despite past failures, such as the deaths of Er and Onan, Judah's strength and prominence in Israel are clearly evident.

Numbers 26:23-25 (NKJV)
23 The sons of Issachar according to their families were: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites; 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 numbered of them: sixty-four thousand three hundred.

Issachar’s tribe is counted at 64,300 men, which marks a notable increase from the previous census. This shows their growing strength and significance among the tribes. Issachar is often associated with wisdom and understanding of the times, as mentioned in later biblical texts, emphasizing their role in leading Israel with discernment.

Numbers 26:26-27 (NKJV)
26 The sons of Zebulun according to their families were: of Sered, the family of the Seredites; 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 numbered of them: sixty thousand five hundred.

Zebulun’s tribe is counted at 60,500 men. This number also shows a steady growth compared to their previous census. Zebulun’s future inheritance will include a portion of the land along the coast, giving them access to trade, which aligns with Jacob’s blessing in Genesis 49:13, prophesying that Zebulun would dwell by the sea.

Numbers 26:28-34 (NKJV)
28 The sons of Joseph according to their families, by Manasseh and Ephraim, were:
29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir begot Gilead; of Gilead, 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 of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites;
32 of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.
33 Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but 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 numbered of them were fifty-two thousand seven hundred.

The tribe of Manasseh, one of Joseph’s two sons, is counted at 52,700 men. The inclusion of Zelophehad’s daughters foreshadows an important event in Numbers 27, where these daughters will request an inheritance despite the lack of male heirs. This highlights the flexibility in Israel’s laws to preserve family names and property rights, even for women, which was uncommon in the ancient world.

Numbers 26:35-37 (NKJV)
35 These are the sons of Ephraim according to their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites; 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 Ephraim according to those who were numbered of them: thirty-two thousand five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph according to their families.

The tribe of Ephraim, Joseph’s other son, is counted at 32,500 men, showing a smaller number compared to Manasseh. Ephraim, despite this lower count, will still hold a significant role in Israel’s future, often leading the northern tribes. This census reflects a balance between the two sons of Joseph, even though their numbers differ.

Numbers 26:38-41 (NKJV)
38 The sons of Benjamin according to their families were: 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; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.
41 These are the sons of Benjamin according to their families; and those who were numbered of them were forty-five thousand six hundred.

Benjamin’s tribe is counted at 45,600 men. Benjamin will later become a key tribe in Israel, especially as the tribe of the first king, Saul. Despite being one of the smaller tribes historically, Benjamin holds great significance, particularly in relation to the southern kingdom and the tribe of Judah.

Numbers 26:42-43 (NKJV)
42 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 numbered of them, were sixty-four thousand four hundred.

Dan’s tribe is counted at 64,400 men, making them one of the larger tribes. This tribe, though not as prominent as others in Israel’s leadership, will have a lasting presence and influence, particularly in the north. Dan’s later involvement in idolatry will have major consequences, but for now, they are strong and numerous.

Numbers 26:44-47 (NKJV)
44 The sons of Asher according to their families were: of Jimnah, the family of the Jimnites; of Jesui, the family of the Jesuites; of Beriah, the family of the Beriites.
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 numbered of them: fifty-three thousand four hundred.

Asher’s tribe is counted at 53,400 men. The mention of Serah, Asher’s daughter, is significant, as she is one of the few women named in this genealogy. Asher’s descendants will eventually settle in fertile lands and play a key role in the economy of Israel through agriculture and trade.

Numbers 26:48-50 (NKJV)
48 The sons of Naphtali according to their families were: 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 numbered of them were forty-five thousand four hundred.

The tribe of Naphtali is listed with its four primary family divisions. Their census count totals 45,400 men, slightly lower than their previous count. Naphtali’s descendants will later inhabit the northern region of Israel, a land that becomes significant during the ministry of Jesus, as it includes areas like Galilee. Despite their moderate size, they play a key role in Israel’s history, particularly in prophetic fulfillment.

Numbers 26:51 (NKJV)
51 These are those who were numbered of the children of Israel: six hundred and one thousand seven hundred and thirty.

This verse provides the total number of men in the census, totaling 601,730 men. This is slightly fewer than the previous census, which numbered 603,550 men. Despite the wilderness wanderings and plagues, Israel remains a large and formidable nation, ready for their future inheritance in Canaan.

Numbers 26:52-56 (NKJV)
52 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying:
53 “To these the land shall be divided as an inheritance, according to the number of names.
54 To a large tribe you shall give a larger inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a smaller inheritance. Each shall be given its inheritance according to those who were numbered of them.
55 But the land shall be divided by lot; they shall inherit according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.
56 According to the lot their inheritance shall be divided between the larger and the smaller.”

God instructs Moses to allocate the land based on the census. The size of each tribe will determine the size of their inheritance. However, the land will ultimately be divided by lot, ensuring divine guidance in the allocation. This method balances fairness with divine sovereignty, as the tribes must trust God's distribution.

Numbers 26:57-58 (NKJV)
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 the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, and the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begot Amram.

The Levites, unlike the other tribes, are not counted for inheritance purposes, as their role is primarily religious. They will not receive a territorial inheritance like the other tribes. Their family lines are listed, including those of Kohath, from which Moses and Aaron descended. This reinforces the special role of the Levites as God’s chosen tribe for priestly duties.

Numbers 26:59-61 (NKJV)
59 The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt; and to Amram she bore Aaron and Moses and their sister Miriam.
60 To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.
61 And Nadab and Abihu died when they offered profane fire before the Lord.

The genealogy of Moses and Aaron is highlighted, with a reminder of Nadab and Abihu’s deaths for their disobedience (Leviticus 10). This serves as a warning of the importance of strict obedience to God, especially for those in leadership positions. Eleazar, Aaron’s surviving son, is now serving as high priest, continuing the priestly line.

Numbers 26:62 (NKJV)
62 Now those who were numbered of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and above; for they were not numbered among the other children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given to them among the children of Israel.

The Levites are numbered separately, totaling 23,000 males from one month old and above. They do not receive a land inheritance because their role is to serve the Lord in the tabernacle and later in the temple. Their support will come from the offerings and tithes of the other tribes.

Numbers 26:63-65 (NKJV)
63 These are those who were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.
64 But among these there was not a man of those who were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest 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.” So there was not left a man of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.

This census confirms that none of the men from the first census, conducted at Sinai, remain alive except for Caleb and Joshua. This fulfills God’s judgment on the older generation, who rebelled and were condemned to die in the wilderness. Only Caleb and Joshua, who remained faithful, are allowed to enter the Promised Land. This underscores the theme of faithfulness and obedience to God.