Num. 26 Israel numbered, such as were fit for war, of every tribe; Levi excepted: their number, Num. 26:1–51. The land to be distributed according to their number, Num. 26:52–56. The Levites numbered by themselves, because they had no inheritance, Num. 26:57–62.

After the plague, last mentioned, Num. 25:8–9. Eleazar, his father being dead, was high priest.

They were numbered twice before, Ex. 30:11–12, Num. 1:1–2. Now they are numbered a third time, partly to demonstrate the faithfulness of God, both in cutting all those off whom he had threatened to cut off, Num.

In the plains of Moab; see Num. 22:1, Num. 33:48

Take the sum of the people: these words are easily supplied and necessarily to be understood from Num. 26:2.

The families, i.e. the chief houses, which were subdivided into divers lesser families. Forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty; whereas in their last numbering they were 46, 500, Num. 1:21; for Korah’s conspiracy, as well as other provocations of theirs, had cut off many of them.

Sons for son, of which change of the number see Gen. 12:7, Gen. 46:7

Swallowed them up together with Korah: according to this translation Korah was not consumed by fire with his two hundred and fifty men, Num. 16:0, but swallowed up by the earth. But others rather think he was devoured by the fire, of which see on Num. 16:32, Num.

God being pleased to spare them, either because they disowned their father’s act, and thereupon separated themselves both from his tent and company, or because Moses interceded for them, or because God would glorify his own free mercy in sparing some, while he punished others, according to his…

Nemuel, called Jemuel, Gen. 46:10, Ex. 6:15. Jachin, called also Jarib, 1 Chron. 4:24. And such names might be either added or changed upon some special occasion not recorded in Scripture.

Zerah, called also Zohar, Gen. 46:10, Ex. 6:15. There is another of his sons, Ohad, mentioned Gen. 46:10, not here, possibly because his family was extinct before this time.

Whereas there were 35, 400 in Num. 1:23. It is thought the example of Zimri, one of their princes, Num. 25:0, and some others among them, did infect the generality of the tribe, and so caused this great diminution in their numbers.

Gad is placed next, because he was joined with Reuben and Simeon in the same camp and quarters, Num. 2:10, Num. 2:14. Zephon, called Ziphion, Gen. 46:16.

Ozni, called Ezbon, Gen. 46:16.

Arod, called Arodi, Gen. 46:16

Fewer by above five thousand than there were in their last numbering, Num. 2:15.

The sons of Pharez, though Judah’s grandchildren, are here mentioned among his sons, because they are put in the stead of Er and Onan, which died before.

About two thousand more than they were Num. 1:27; whereas the foregoing tribes were all diminished, this tribe was now increased, and the blessing promised to that tribe above the rest, Gen. 49:8, doth herein begin to show itself.

Pua, called also Phuvah, Gen. 46:13; as his brother Jashub, Num. 26:24, is called Job, Gen. 46:13.

A great increase. Compare Num. 2:6.

Whereas before they were but 57, 400 in Num. 1:31, Num. 2:8. So that Judah’s camp was much increased, as Reuben’s was much diminished.

Gilead is here mentioned as Machir’s 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.

Jeezer, called also Abiezer, Josh. 17:2, Judg. 6:11, Judg. 6:34, 1 Chron. 7:18.

Whereas they were but 32, 200 in Num. 1:35. So they are now increased above 50, 000, according to that prophecy, Gen. 49:22.

Becher, called also Bered, 1 Chron. 7:20.

Eran, called Edan or Laadan, 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 sons of Benjamin were ten, Gen. 46:21, whereof only five are here mentioned, the rest probably, together with their families, being extinct ere this time. Ashbel, called also Jediael, 1 Chron. 7:6. Ahiram, called also Aharah, 1 Chron. 8:1 and Ehi, Gen. 46:21.

Shupham, called also Shuppim, 1 Chron. 7:12, and Muppim, Gen. 46:21. Hupham, called Huppim, Gen. 46:21, 1 Chron. 7:12.

Ard, or Arde, and by transposition, Addar, 1 Chron. 8:3.

Shuham, called, by transposition, Hushim, Gen. 46:23. After their families; the greater families subdivided into lesser families.

All from one son and family; whereas of Benjamin, who had ten sons, and here five families, there were only 45, 600, to show that the increase of families depends singly upon God’s blessing and good pleasure.

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.

Who seems to be here mentioned because she was a woman of masculine wisdom, or courage, or other virtue.

Whereas they were only 41, 500 in Num. 1:41.

Very nigh as many as there were before, Num. 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.

Unto these; to these families now mentioned. The land shall be divided, by lot, Num. 26:55. The land was divided into nine parts and a 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. Of names, i.e.

Thou shalt give; thou, Moses, partly by thyself, for he divided the land beyond Jordan to the two tribes and a half; and partly by thy successor Joshua, whom thou shalt empower and command to do it.

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 ruler’s wisdom, according to the rule now given, Num. 26:54.

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.

The families of the Levites are here numbered 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 Ex. 6:17–19.

Her mother, to wit, Levi’s wife, which must necessarily be understood.

Twenty and three thousand; one thousand more than they were Num. 3:39. The reason of which different way of numbering, see on Num. 3:15.

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 threatening and punishment is confined to those transgressors, and because otherwise this had not been true; for of those that were then numbered there were now left…