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Numbers 26

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1After the plague, Yahweh spoke to Moses and to 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 upward, by their fathers’ houses, all who are able to go out to war in Israel.” 3Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, 4“Take a census, from twenty years old and upward; as Yahweh commanded Moses and the children of Israel.” These are those that came out of the land of Egypt. 5Reuben, the firstborn of Israel; the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites; 6of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. 7These are the families of the Reubenites; and those who were counted of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred thirty. 8The sons of Pallu: Eliab. 9The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. These are that Dathan and Abiram, who were called by the congregation, who rebelled against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they rebelled against Yahweh, 10and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died; at the time the fire devoured two hundred fifty men, and they became a sign. 11Notwithstanding, the sons of Korah didn’t die. 12The 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; 13of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites; of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. 14These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty-two thousand two hundred. 15The sons 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; 16of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites; 17of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites. 18These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were counted of them, forty thousand and five hundred. 19The sons of Judah: Er and Onan. Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20The sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites. 21The sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22These are the families of Judah according to those who were counted of them, seventy-six thousand five hundred. 23The sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the family of the Punites; 24of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 25These are the families of Issachar according to those who were counted of them, sixty-four thousand three hundred. 26The sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Seredites; of Elon, the family of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites. 27These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those who were counted of them, sixty thousand five hundred. 28The sons of Joseph after their families: Manasseh and Ephraim. 29The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir became the father of Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites. 30These are the sons of Gilead: of Iezer, the family of the Iezerites; of Helek, the family of the Helekites; 31and Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; and Shechem, the family of the Shechemites; 32and Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; and Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. 33Zelophehad 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. 34These are the families of Manasseh. Those who were counted of them were fifty-two thousand seven hundred. 35These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the family of the Becherites; of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. 36These are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites. 37These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those who were counted of them, thirty-two thousand five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families. 38The 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; 39of Shephupham, the family of the Shuphamites; of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41These are the sons of Benjamin after their families; and those who were counted of them were forty-five thousand six hundred. 42These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families. 43All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those who were counted of them, were sixty-four thousand four hundred. 44The sons of Asher after their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites; of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the family of the Berites. 45Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites; of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. 46The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. 47These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those who were counted of them, fifty-three thousand and four hundred. 48The sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites; of Guni, the family of the Gunites; 49of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites. 50These are the families of Naphtali according to their families; and those who were counted of them were forty-five thousand four hundred. 51These are those who were counted of the children of Israel, six hundred one thousand seven hundred thirty. 52Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 53“To these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. 54To the more you shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give the less inheritance. To everyone according to those who were counted of him shall his inheritance be given. 55Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. 56According to the lot shall their inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer.” 57These are those who were counted 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. 58These are the families of Levi: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korahites. Kohath became the father of Amram. 59The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. She bore to Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister. 60To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 61Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before Yahweh. 62Those who were counted of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and upward; for they were not counted among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel. 63These are those who were counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who counted the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64But among these there was not a man of them who were counted by Moses and Aaron the priest, who counted the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65For Yahweh had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” There was not a man left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

World English Bible (public domain)

But among these there was not one of those listed by Moses and Aaron the priest who had listed the people of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

Numbers 26:64

Summary

In Numbers chapter 26, the Israelites conduct a census of their people as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This second census follows the one taken after their exodus from Egypt and serves to account for the new generation that has emerged due to the events in the wilderness. The chapter lists the descendants of each tribe, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises to the patriarchs, and shows the faithfulness of God in preserving a remnant of His people even after significant trials and tribulations. The chapter culminates in the allocation of land to each tribe, signifying God's provision and justice as they prepare to settle in Canaan. Key themes in this chapter include God's faithfulness and the importance of community identity, as the census highlights the distinct tribes and their roles in Israel's future. Additionally, the role of leadership is underscored, demonstrating the need for accountability and organization within the community. The chapter ultimately reflects God's sovereignty over the Israelites' destiny, reminding readers that He is in control, sustaining His people through generations. The theological significance is rich, as this chapter ties back to God's everlasting covenant and His unwavering commitment to guide and bless His chosen people. As the Israelites prepare for a new chapter in their journey, the significance of unity and belonging within the body of believers is profoundly illustrated, underscoring that God's plans encompass not just individuals but the entire community of faith.

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Chapter outline

How Numbers 26 unfolds

  1. Numbers 26:1–4 Introduction to the Census

    Yahweh commands Moses and Eleazar to take a census of the Israelites, from age twenty and above. This marks a pivotal moment as it prepares them for entering the Promised Land.

  2. Numbers 26:5–40 Tribes of Israel Counted

    The census accounts for each tribe, detailing their families and the number of males able to serve in war. The chapter emphasizes the continuity of Israel's lineage and God's promises.

  3. Numbers 26:41–65 Inheritance and Leadership

    The chapter concludes with instructions on land inheritance and a reminder of the generational shift, highlighting that the old generation has perished while Caleb and Joshua remain as faithful leaders.

Key verses

  • Numbers 26:64Numbers 26:64 illustrates the generational consequences of disobedience, emphasizing God's faithfulness to raise up a new Israel.

Main themes in Numbers 26

God's faithfulness

God's faithfulness surfaces in the census that reflects His promise to preserve Israel through generations, notably in verses 1-4 and 64-65. Despite the loss of the previous generation due to disobedience, the new census indicates God's unwavering commitment to sustain a remnant. This illustrates that God's plans endure, providing hope and continuity as Israel prepares to enter the Promised Land.

Community identity

The theme of community identity is evident in the detailed listing of tribes and families in verses 5-40, which establishes individual and collective identities. Each tribe's enumeration reinforces their unique roles and contributions to Israel's communal future. This highlights the importance of unity and belonging as they transition into a new phase in their journey.

Leadership and organization

Leadership and organization are crucial in the context of the census, especially evident in verses 1-4 where Moses and Eleazar execute God's command. The structured approach to counting and inheritance emphasizes accountability and order within the community. Such organization is vital for ensuring the stability and success of Israel as they prepare to establish themselves in Canaan.

Divine sovereignty

Divine sovereignty is underscored throughout the chapter, particularly in verses 53-56 where Yahweh determines the inheritance of the land. The census reflects God's authority in guiding Israel's destiny as it transitions into a new land. This assures the Israelites that their future is under God's control, reinforcing their trust in His perfect plan.

Cross-references

Passages that echo Numbers 26

Study questions

Questions for studying Numbers 26

  1. Who are the key leaders mentioned in this chapter?
  2. What is significant about the numbers in the census?
  3. How does the mention of Caleb and Joshua shape the narrative?
  4. What role does the tribe of Levi play in this census?
  5. Why does the chapter recount the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram?
  6. How does this chapter illustrate God's faithfulness to Israel?

Numbers 26: frequently asked questions

What is Numbers 26 about?+
In Numbers chapter 26, the Israelites conduct a census of their people as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This second census follows the one taken after their exodus from Egypt and serves to account for the new generation that has emerged due to the events in the wilderness. The chapter lists the descendants of each tribe, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises to the patriarchs, and shows the faithfulness of God in preserving a remnant of His people even after significant trials and tribulations. The chapter culminates in the allocation of land to each tribe, signifying God's provision and justice as they prepare to settle in Canaan. Key themes in this chapter include God's faithfulness and the importance of community identity, as the census highlights the distinct tribes and their roles in Israel's future. Additionally, the role of leadership is underscored, demonstrating the need for accountability and organization within the community. The chapter ultimately reflects God's sovereignty over the Israelites' destiny, reminding readers that He is in control, sustaining His people through generations. The theological significance is rich, as this chapter ties back to God's everlasting covenant and His unwavering commitment to guide and bless His chosen people. As the Israelites prepare for a new chapter in their journey, the significance of unity and belonging within the body of believers is profoundly illustrated, underscoring that God's plans encompass not just individuals but the entire community of faith.
What is the key verse in Numbers 26?+
Numbers 26:64: "But among these there was not a man of them who were counted by Moses and Aaron the priest, who counted the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai."
What are the main themes of Numbers 26?+
The main themes of Numbers 26 are God's faithfulness, Community identity, Leadership and organization, Divine sovereignty.

Related chapters

Chapters that connect with Numbers 26

Study Notes