Numbers 26 Study Notes

26:1-2 The Hebrew Bible includes a half verse at 25:19, after the plague, as a transition. The Baal-peor incident reminded future Israelite generations of the dangers of intermarriage with those from idolatrous backgrounds who might lead the nation into judgment. This incident served as a case study in God’s holiness and righteousness; he would allow no other gods to replace him in the hearts and minds of his people. The rest of vv. 1-2 is very similar to God’s command in 1:1-2 mandating the first census.

26:3-4 The first census took place at the foot of Mount Sinai in the wilderness, the second at the doorway of the promised land, in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.

26:5-50 More than thirty-eight years had passed since the first census, but that first generation, which had seen the miraculous power of God in Egypt and in the wilderness, had rejected God by refusing to enter the land, and had suffered the consequences. Yet a connection is made with the first generation through genealogical accounting for each of the twelve tribes—beginning with the descendants of Reuben—plus the Levites, in a manner not found in chap. 1. Both oral and written family records were maintained during this historical period to connect the past with the present, to trace particular lines of development, and to justify claims to inheritance or leadership. Recounting one’s genealogy was commonplace at the dedication of a newborn child or in the crowning of a king.

The tribes of Simeon (declined by 37,100; 26:12) and Naphtali (declined by 8,000; v. 48) had suffered the greatest losses in their militias during the wilderness era, and the tribe of Simeon would eventually dissipate into Judah within whose territory they were given an allotment. Manasseh (increased by 20,500; v. 29), Asher (increased by 11,900; v. 44), and Issachar (increased by 9,900; v. 23) reaped the most significant increases.

26:51 The number of registered Israelite men in the second census came to 601,730. The net decrease from the first census was 1,820 warriors (see note at 1:44-46).

26:52-56 In 33:54 instructions are given for deciding the territorial location for each of the tribes in the midst of a warning about potential idolatry. In 34:1-29 the boundaries of the whole inheritance are outlined. The case of Zelophehad’s daughters adds the potential of women’s inheritance to the matter of tribal allocations (26:33; 27:1-11; 36:1-12). The allotment would take into consideration tribal populations and the amount of land within a given region (Jos 17:17-18).

26:55 Divided by lot refers to a second principle governing land allocation—providential probability as expressed through a game of chance. The Lord was presumed to oversee the casting of the lots, thereby bringing his decision to pass (Pr 16:33). The casting of lots was a common means of determining the will of God. It was used to choose between the two goats on the Day of Atonement (Lv 16:8), to divide the spoils of war (Ob 11), and to settle political issues (1Sm 10:21).

26:57-62 In a manner similar to the first census, the second numbering of the Levites separately from the militia follows the genealogical pattern of vv. 5-52. Mention of the deaths of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron who offered unauthorized fire on the altar, served as a reminder of the dangerous task the Levites and priests had in upholding the holiness of God in the heart of a community with a history of rebellion.

26:63-65 The census of the second generation militia concludes with a reminder to the people of the consequences of rebellion. The OT theme of the remnant is set forth in the survival of two faithful men—Caleb and Joshua—out of thousands who died over the forty-year wilderness experience. The Numbers theme of the challenge to be faithful in following the Lord’s instructions is repeated.