Numbers 26

AND it came to pass after the plague Last mentioned, chap. 25. 8, 9. that the LORD spake unto Moses, and unto Eleazar Who, his father being dead, was High-priest. the son of Aaron the priest, saying,

Take the sum They were numbred twice before, Exod. 30. 11, 12. and Numb. 1. 1, 2. Now they are numbred a third time, partly to demonstrate the faithfulness of God, both in cutting all those off whom he had threatned to cut off, Numb. 14. 29. and in a stupendious increase and multiplication of the people according to his promise notwithstanding all their sins and the sweeping judgments inflicted upon them; and partly to prepare the way for the equal division of the Land which they were now going to possess. 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.

And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab See Numb. 22. 1. and 33. 48., by Jordan near Jericho See Numb. 22. 1. saying,

Take the sum of the people Which words are easily supplied and necessarily to be understood from ver. 2., 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.

Reuben the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanock, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochite: of Pallu, the family of the Palluite:

Of Hesron, the family of the Hesronite: of Carmi, the family of the Carmite.

These are the families (i. e.) The chief houses, which were subdivided into divers lesser families. of the Reubenite: and they that were numbred of them, were fourty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty Whereas in their last numbring they were 46500, Numb. 1. 21. for Korahs conspiracy, as well as other provocations of theirs had cut off many of them..

And the sons For, son, of which change of the number. See Gen. 21. 7. and 46. 7. of Pallu; Eliab.

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.

And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah According to this translation Korah was not consumed by fire with his 250 men, Numb. 16. but swallowed up by the Earth. But others rather think he was devoured by the fire, of which see on Numb. 16. 32, 35. and render these words, and the things of Korah, or belonging to Korah, to wit, his tent and goods and family, children excepted as here follows. Which interpretation receives strength by comparing this place with Numb. 16. 32. And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them (to wit, Dathan and Abiram, as is manifest from ver. 24, 25, 27.) up and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah, which variation of the phrase plainly shows that Korah himself was not swallowed up with them, but only his men and his tabernacle, which is mentioned there together with the tabernacles of Dathan and Abiram, ver. 24, 27. but his person is not there mentioned with their persons. Nor is it unusual both in sacred and profane authours, by the name of a man who is the head and master to understand only his house and family, though himself be not included. But this difficulty may be cleared another way. The Hebrew particle eth may be here the note of a Nominative case, as it is 2 Kings 6. 5. Neh. 9. 19. Ier. 38. 16. Ezek. 39. 14. and 43. 7. and there may be a defect of a verb, which is most frequent, and so the place may be rendred thus, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, to wit, Dathan and Abiram, ver. 9. and Korah, or, and as for Korah he died (which verb is easily understood out of the following noun, of which Ellipsis there are many instances in Scripture, some whereof have been given before, and more will follow in their places) in the death of that company, or when that company died, what time the fire devoured the two hundred and fifty men. And so this place and Numb. 16. 35. explain one another, and whereas there is mention only of 250 men consumed by that fire, Korah is here added to the number., when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign (i. e.) God made them a monument or example, to warn others not to rebel against God nor against Magistracy, nor to usurp the Priestly Office.:

Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not God being pleased to spare them either because they disowned their fathers fact, and thereupon separated themselves both from his tent and company or because Moses interceded for them, or because God would glorifie his own free mercy in sparing some, while he punished others, according to his declaration in a like case, Exod. 33. 19. Hence the sons of Korah are mentioned 1 Chron. 6. 22, 38. and oft in the book of Psalms..

The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel Called Iemuel, Gen. 46. 10. Exod. 6. 15., the family of the Nemuelite: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminite: of Jachin Called also Iarib, 1 Chron. 4. 24. And such names might be either added or changed upon some special occasion not recorded in Scripture., the family of the Jachinite:

Of Zerah Called also Zohar, Gen. 46. 10. Exod. 6. 15. There is another of his sons, Ohad, mentioned Gen. 46. 10. not here, possibly because his family was extinct before this time., the family of the Zarhite: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulite.

These are the families of the Simeonite: twenty and two thousand and two hundred Whereas there were 35400 in Numb. 1. 23. It is thought the example of Zimri, one of their princes, Numb. 25. and some others among them, did infect the generality of the Tribe, and so caused this great diminution, in their numbers..

The children of Gad Who is placed next, because he was joyned with Reuben and Si... in the same camp and quarters, Numb. 2. 10, 14. after their families: of Zephon Called Z, Gen. 46. 16., the family of the Zephonite; of Haggi, the family of the Haggite: of Shuni, the family of the Shunite.

Of Ozni Called E... on, Gen. 46. 16., the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:

Of Arod Called Arodi, Gen. 46. 16., the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.

These are the families of the children of Gad, according to those that were numbred of them, fourty thousand and five hundred Fewer by above 5000 than there were in their last numbring, Numb. 2. 15..

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

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.

And the sons of Pharez Which though Iudahs Grandchildren, are here mentioned among his sons, because they are put in the stead of Er and Onan, which died before. were; of Hesron, the family of the Hesronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.

These are the families of Judah, according to those that were numbred of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred About 2000 more than they were Numb. 1. 27. whereas the foregoing Tribes were all diminished, this Tribe was now encreased, and the blessing promised to that Tribe above the rest Gen. 49. 8. does herein begin to show it self..

* Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua Called also Phavah, Gen. 46. 13 as his brother Iashub ver. 24. is called Iob, Gen. 46. 13., the family of the Punites.

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

These are the families of Issachar, according to those that were numbred of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred A great increase. Compare Numb. 2. 6..

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.

These are the families of the Zebulunites, according to those that were numbred of them, threescore thousand and five hundred Whereas before they were but 57400 in Numb. 1. 31. and 2. 8. So that Iudahs camp was much encreased, as Reubens was much diminished..

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

Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites Gilead is here mentioned as Machirs only son, and therefore some conceive that the family of the Machirites, and of the Gileadites, are one and the same family, only called by two names, first Machirites, but afterwards Gileadites. Others make them distinct families, because Machir had other children, Gen. 50. 23 1 Chron. 7. 14, 15, 16. which are called by their fathers name, Machirites, whereas the children of his eldest son Gilead are called by his name, Gileadites. But though Machir had other children it seems they and their posterity were extinct at this time, and that Machir alone was left and his posterity, as may be gathered by comparing this and the following verses with Ios. 17. 1, 2, 3. and 1 Chron. 7. 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19..

These are the sons of Gilead, of Jeezer Called also Abiezer, Ios. 17. 2. Iudg. 6. 11, 34. 1 Chron. 7. 18., the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:

And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Sechem, the family of the Sechemites:

And of Shemida, the family of Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.

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.

These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbred of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred Whereas they were but 32200. in Numb. 1. 35. So they are now increased above 20000. according to that prophecy Gen. 49. 22..

These are the sons of Ephraim, after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthalhites: of Becher Called also Bered, 1 Chron. 7. 20., the family of the Bachrites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites.

And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran Called Edan or Hadan 1 Chron. 7. 26. the letters Daleth and Resh being alike in the Hebrew tongue, and therefore oft changed, as is evident from Scripture-instances., the family of the Eranites.

These are the families of the sons of Ephraim, according to those that were numbred of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.

The sons of Benjamin Who were ten, Gen. 46. 21. whereof only five are here mentioned, the rest probably together with their families being extinct ere this time. after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel Called also Iedaiel, 1 Chron. 7. 6., the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram Called also Aharab, 1 Chron. 8. 1. and Ehi, Gen. 46. 21., the family of the Ahiramites:

Of Shupham Called also Shuppim, 1 Chron. 7. 12. and Muppim, Gen. 46. 21., the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham Called Huppim, Gen. 46. 21. 1 Chron. 7. 12., the family of the Huphamites.

And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard Or, Arde, and by transposition, Adar, 1 Chron. 8. 3., the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.

These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbred of them, were fourty and five thousand and six hundred.

These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham Called, by transposition Hushim, Gen. 46. 23., the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families The greater families subdivided into lesser families..

All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbred of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred All from one son and family, whereas of Benjamin who had ten sons, and here five families, there were only 45600. to show that the increase of families depends singly upon Gods blessing and good pleasure..

Of the children of Asher after their families: of Jimna, the family of the Jimnites: of Jesui Called Isui, Gen. 46. 17. where also there is another son of Asher named, to wit, Ishuah, whose family seems now to be lost., the family of the Jesuites; of Beriah, the family of the Berilites.

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

And the name of the daughter of Asher, was Sarah Who seems to be here mentioned because she was a woman of masculine wisdom, or courage or other virtue.,

These are the families of the sons of Asher, according to those that were numbred of them, who were fifty and three thousand and four hundred Whereas they were only 41500 in Numb. 1. 41..

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

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

These are the families of Naphtali, according to their families: and they that were numbred of them, were forty and five thousand and four hundred.

These were the numbred of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand, and a thousand seven hundred and thirty Very nigh as many as they were before Numb. 1. 46. so wisely and marvellously did God at the same time manifest his justice in cutting off so vast a number, and his mercy in giving such a speedy and numerous supply, and his truth in both..

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Unto these To these families now mentioned. the land shall be divided By lot, ver. 55. The land was divided into nine parts and an half, respect being had in such division to the goodness as well as to the largeness of the several portions, and the lot gave each tribe their part. for an inheritance, according to the number of names (i. e.) Of the persons, names being oft put for persons, as Act. 1. 15. Phil. 2. 9. Rev. 3. 4. and 11. 13. The meaning is, that the share of each tribe was divided amongst the several families, to some more to some less according to the number of the persons of each family, Numb. 33. 54. And withal, if one of the lots or portions proved too large or too little for all the families and persons of that tribe, in this case they might either give part of their portion to another tribe, as Simeon and Dan had parts of Iudahs share, Ios. 19. 4, 40. or take away a part from the portion belonging to another tribe..

To many thou Thou Moses, partly by thy self, for he divided the land beyond Iordan to the two tribes and an half, and partly by thy successour Ioshua whom thou shalt empower and command to do it. 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 numbred of him According to the number of the families and persons now numbred and being 20 years old, no regard being to be had either to any increase of the number by those who came up to that age between this time and the division of the land, or to the diminution of this number by the sword of Canaanites or otherwise..

Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot Which lots seem to have been cast only for the tribes, not as some would have it, for the several families for the distribution of it to them was left to the rulers wisdom according to the rule now given ver. 54. Yet, if any lot was too large for the Tribe, they might give up part of their right to others, with the Rulers consent, as Iudah gave a share to Simeon and to Dan within his lot.: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers (i. e.) The Lots shall go under the names of each tribe or each Patriarch. they shall inherit.

According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few (i. e.) That share, which shall by Lot fall to each tribe, shall be distributed to the several families and persons in such proportions as their numbers shall require..

And these are they that were numbred of the Levites: of Gershon the family of the Gershonites: of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites: of Merari, the family of the Merarites.

These are the families of the Levite Which are here numbred by themselves, because they were not to have a distinct share of the land, whence it is that they are not so distinctly and exactly mentioned as the other tribes, but confusedly and imperfectly, some of them being wholly omitted here. See Exod. 6. 17, 18, 19.: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korhites: and Kohath begat Amram.

And the name of Amrams wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother To wit, Levi's wife, which must necessarily be understood. bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram, Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.

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

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

And those that were numbred of them, were twenty and three thousand One thousand more than they were, Numb. 3. 39., all males from a month old and upward The reason of which different way of numbring see on Numb. 3. 15.: for they were not numbred among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.

These are they that were numbred by Moses and Eleazar the priest who numbred the children of Israel in the plains of Moab, by Jordan near Jericho.

But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbred, when they numbred the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness: and there was not left a man of them To wit, of those who then murmured and rebelled against God, as plainly appears both because this threatning and punishment is confined to those transgressours and because otherwise this had not been true, for of those that were then numbred there were now left Eleazar and Ithamar, and possibly many of the Levites, and some others, who being not guilty of that sin did not partake of their judgment. Caleb and Ioshua are mentioned here, as also Numb. 14. not by way of exception, as if these were murmurers, which is utterly denied, Numb. 14. 24. but by way of opposition, to signify that they, though they were two of the spies, and companions of them who were the chief authours and ringleaders of that mutiny, yet they kept themselves from their sin, and therefore God kept them from their plague and destruction, as also he did some others for the same reason., save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.