The plague having swept away the last of that devoted generation, which provoked the Lord to swear in his wrath that they should not enter Canaan; he now, after an interval of 38 years, commands another census of the Israelites to be made, to preserve the distinction of families, and to regulate the tribes previous to their entry into the promised land, as well as to ascertain the proportion of land which should be allotted to each tribe. For, though the whole was divided by lot, yet the portions were so disposed, that a numerous tribe did not draw where the lots assigned small inheritances, or the contrary. Nu 1:2,3 Ex 30:12 38:25,26

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.

Nu 26:63 22:1 31:12 33:48 35:1 De 4:46-49 34:1,6,8

3 And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,

Nu 1:1 1Ch 21:1

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.

the eldest Ge 29:32 49:2,3 1Ch 5:1

thy children Ge 46:8,9 Ex 6:14 1Ch 5:3

5 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 Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.

Nu 26:1,21 2:11 Ge 46:9

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.

Nu 1:16 16:1,2 Ps 106:17 Jude 1:11

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:

earth opened Nu 16:2,31-35,38 27:3 Ex 16:35 Ps 106:17,18

together. The Samaritan text does not intimate that Korah was swallowed up, but that he was burnt, as appears to have been the fact; and the Psalmist also, only mentions Dathan and Abiram as having been swallowed up. And the earth swallowed them up, what time that company died; and the fire devoured Korah with the 250 men, who became a sign. They became a sign. Nu 16:38 1Sa 2:34 Jer 29:22 Eze 14:8 1Co 10:6-10 2Pe 2:6 Jude 1:7

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.

It seems to be intimated in ch. 16:27, 31-33, that the sons and the little ones of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, were swallowed up; but the text here expressly affirms, that the children of Korah died not; and their descendants were famous even in David's time. On a close inspection, however, of ver. 27, we shall find, that the sons and the little ones of Dathan and Abiram alone are mentioned. Nu 16:5 Ex 6:24 1Ch 6:22-28 Ps 42:1 44:1 45:1

11 Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.

Nemuel Ge 46:10 Ex 6:15

Jemuel. Jachin 1Ki 7:21 1Ch 4:24

12 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:

Zerah Ge 46:10

13 Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.

The immense decrease of this tribe, no less than 37,100, renders it highly probable, that, influenced by the bad example of Zimri, the Simeonites had been peculiarly criminal in the late wickedness, and that multitudes of them had died of the plague. It is remarkable, that Moses, in De. ch. 33, bestows no blessing upon this tribe. Nu 1:22,23 2:12,13

14 These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.

Zephon Nu 2:14 Ge 46:16

Ziphion, Haggai, Shuni, Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, Areli

15 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:

or, Ezbon Ge 46:16

16 Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:

Ge 46:16

Arodi

17 Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.

Nu 1:24,25 2:14,15

18 These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.

Er and Onan Ge 38:1-10 46:12 1Ch 2:3

19 The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.

Shelah Ge 38:5,11,14,26-30 1Ch 4:21

Pharez Ge 38:27-29 46:12 Ru 4:18-22 1Ch 2:3 Nu 11:4,6,24 Mt 1:3 Lu 3:33

Zerah Ge 38:30 46:12 1Ch 2:4 Ne 11:24

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.

Nu 1:26,27 2:3,4 Ge 49:8 1Ch 5:2 Ps 115:14 Heb 7:14

22 These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.

the sons Nu 2:5 Ge 30:17,18 46:13 1Ch 7:1

Pua, or Phuvah

23 Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:

Jashub, or Job Ge 46:13

24 Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.

threescore Nu 1:28,29 2:5,6

25 These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.

Ge 30:19,20 46:14

26 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.

Nu 1:30,31 2:7,8

27 These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.

Ge 41:51,52 46:20 48:5,13-20

28 The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim.

Machir Nu 32:39,40 36:1 Ge 48:14 De 3:15 Jos 17:1 Jud 5:14 1Ch 7:14-19

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.

Jeezer, called Abiezer Jos 17:2 Jud 6:11,24,34 8:2

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.

Zelophehad Nu 27:1 36:10-12

33 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.

Nu 1:34,35 2:20,21

34 These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.

Becher 1Ch 7:20,21

Bered. Tahath, Eladah, Tahath

35 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.

Nu 1:32,33 2:18,19

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.

sons of Benjamin 1Ch 7:6-12

Ahiram Ge 46:2

Ehi 1Ch 8:1

Aharah

38 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:

Shupham. Muppim, and Huppim Ge 46:21

39 Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.

Ard and Naaman. Addar 1Ch 8:3

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.

Nu 1:36,37 2:22,23 Ge 46:21

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.

Shuham. Hushim Ge 46:23

42 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.

Nu 1:38,39 2:25,26

43 All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.

the children of Asher Ge 46:17

Jimnah, Ishuah. Isui 1Ch 7:30

Imnah, Isuah, Ishuai

44 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 Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.

Sarah Ge 46:17

46 And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.

Nu 1:40,41 2:27,28

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.

the sons of Naphtali Ge 46:24 1Ch 7:13

48 Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:

Shillem 1Ch 7:13

Shallum

49 Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.

Nu 1:42,43 2:29,30

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.

The following comparative statement will show how much some of the tribes had increased, and other had diminished, since the enumeration in ch 1:

Now Before
1. Reuben 43,730 46,500
2. Simeon 22,200 59,300
3. Gad 40,500 45,650
4. Judah 76,500 74,600
7. Manasseh 52,700 32,200
8. Ephraim 32,500 40,500
9. Benjamin 45,600 35,400
10.Dan 64,400 62,700
11.Asher 53,400 41,500
12.Naphtali 45,400 53,400
Total 601,730 603,550

It should be observed, that among these there was not one of the former census, except Joshua and Caleb. Thus, though there was such an amazing increase in seven tribes, yet so great was the decrease in the other five tribes, that the balance against the present census is 1,820. Notwithstanding the amazing increase in some, and decrease in other tribes, the same sort of proportion is kept in their several divisions; so as to keep the division in the front the largest, and that in the rear the next. Nu 1:46 2:32 Ne 9:23 Job 12:9,10,14,20-23 Ps 77:20

51 These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.

52 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Ge 12:2,7 Jos 11:23 14:1 Ps 49:14 105:44 Eze 47:22 Da 7:27 Mt 5:5 Re 5:10 21:27

53 Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.

Many Nu 32:3,5 33:54 Jos 17:14

give the more. Heb. multiply his. give the less. Heb. diminish his.

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.

by lot Nu 26:56 33:54 34:13 Jos 11:23 14:2 17:14 18:6,10,11 19:1,10 19:17,24,32,40 Pr 16:33 18:18 Ac 1:26 Col 1:12 Re 7:4-8

55 Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.

This division by lot seems to have respect only to the quarter, or situation, which each tribe was to possess, and not to the quantity or extent of land, which was to be proportioned to the numbers of each tribe, according to the register now formed. Thus, for instance, it was determined by lot which of the twelve tribes was to inherit in the south, which in the north, etc.; then, in that quarter where the lot fell, a larger or smaller portion of land was assigned them, according to the goodness of the soil, and in proportion as they were more or less numerous. Thus the decreasing of any tribe in the wilderness, proved the decrease of their future political importance and affluence in all succeeding ages. This equal division of property was, under God, the great bulwark and strength of the Hebrew commonwealth. According to the most exact calculations, Canaan contained 14,976,000 acres; which, divided among 600,000 men, will allow of more than 21 acres and a half to each, with a remainder of 1,976,000 acres for the princes of tribes, Levitical cities; so that there was an ample provision to enable each person, with all the advantages of that fertile country and fine climate, to live, if not in affluent, yet in very comfortable circumstances. Canaan lies between lat. 31 degrees and 33 degrees 30' north and long. 35 degrees and 37 degrees east; its length, from the city of Dan to Beersheba, is about 200 miles; and its breadth, from the shores of the Mediterranean to the eastern borders, about 90. The Canaanites, the descendants of Canaan, son of Ham, and the original inhabitants of the land, were divided into seven principal nations, the Amorites, Hittites, Jebusites, Girgashites, Canaanites, Perizzites, and Hivites, and formed themselves into almost as many kingdoms as they had cities. After their defeat by the Israelites, such as escaped the sword became tributary; but in process of time, having seduced them to their idolatries, they recovered many of the strongest places in the country; and even formed themselves into a mighty kingdom in Galilee. They were, however, again defeated by Barak, but were not finally subdued till the reign of David and Solomon; the latter of whom employed 153,600 in the most servile parts of the work of building the temple, palace, etc. Ro 11:7 1Co 12:4

56 According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.

these are Nu 35:2,3 Ge 46:11 Ex 6:16-19 1Ch 6:1,16

Of Gershon Nu 3:1 4:1

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.

Nu 3:17-21 16:1

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.

Ex 2:1,2 6:20 Le 18:12

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.

Nu 3:2,8

60 And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

Nu 3:4 Le 10:1,2 1Ch 24:1,2

61 And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.

those that Nu 1:49 3:39 4:27,48 18:20-24 35:2-8 De 10:9 14:27-29 18:1,2 Jos 13:14,33 14:3

they were not Nu 1:49

because Nu 18:20-24 35:2-8 De 10:9 14:27-29 18:1,2 Jos 13:14,33 14:3

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.

Nu 26:3

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.

Nu 1:1 2:1 De 2:14,15 4:3,4 1Co 10:5

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.

They shall Nu 14:23,24,28-30,35,38 Ex 12:37 De 2:14,15 32:49,50 Ps 90:3-7 Ro 11:22 1Co 10:5,6 Heb 3:17,18 Jude 1:5

save Caleb Nu 14:30,38

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.

1 The daughters of Zelophehad sue for an inheritance
6 The law of inheritances
12 Moses, being told of his death, sues for a successor
18 Joshua is appointed to succeed him

the daughters. In the orders for the division of the land, just given, no provision had been made for females, in case of failure of male issue. The five daughters of Zelophehad, therefore, considered themselves as destitute, having neither father nor brother, and being themselves entirely overlooked; and they agreed to refer the case to Moses and the rulers, whether it were not equitable that they should inherit their father's portion. This led to the enactment of an additional law to the civil code of Israel, which satisfactorily ascertained and amply secured the right of succession in cases of inheritance. This law, which is as reasonable as it is just, stands thus: --1. On the demise of the father, the estate descends to the sons. 2. If there be no son, the daughters succeed. 3.If there be no daughter, the brothers of the deceased inherit. 4. If there be no brethren, or paternal uncles, the estate goes to the grand uncles, or brothers of his father. 5. If there be no grand uncles, then the nearest of kin succeeds to the inheritance. Beyond this fifth degree the law does not extend, because there must always have been some among the Israelites who could be called kinsmen. Zelophehad. Nu 26:33 36:1-12 Jos 17:3-6 1Ch 7:15 Ga 3:28