1The sum of all Israel is taken in the plains of Moab. 5The families of Reuben; 12of Simeon; 15of Gad; 19of Judah; 23of Issachar; 26of Zebulun; 28of Manasseh; 35of Ephraim; 38of Benjamin; 42of Dan; 44of Asher; 48of Naphtali. 52The law of dividing among them the inheritance of the land. 57The families and number of the Levites. 63None were left of them who were numbered at Sinai, but Caleb and Joshua.
1AND it came to pass 1after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
1 Understand the plague mentioned in the previous chapter, whereby twenty-four thousand Israelites perished by reason of their committed whoredom with the women of the Moabites and idolatry with Baal-peor. After these plagues there were none (but Joshua and Caleb) left of those above twenty years old, who were, for their murmurings’ sake, condemned to die in the wilderness before the children of Israel could enter into the possession of the land of promise. See Num. 14:33, 34, 35. Likewise see in this chapter the verses 63, 64, 65 and Deut. 2:14.
22Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, froma twenty 3years old and upward, throughout their fathers’ house, 4all that are able to go to war in Israel.
2 This numbering of the children of Israel is held to be the third after their exodus out of Egypt. The first was in the same year of their exodus, Exod. 30:12, etc. The second was in the beginning of the second year, Num. 1:2. The third is here spoken of.
a Num. 1:3.
3 Hebr. a son of twenty year. And so in the sequel.
4 See Num. 1 on verse 3.
3And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the 5plains of Moab by 6Jordan near Jericho, saying,
5 See verse 63 and Num. 22:1; 33:48.
6 Where this river turns itself near the city of Jericho. Also Num. 22:1 and below verse 63.
47Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; asb the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, 8which went forth out of the land of Egypt.
7 The cursive words are inserted here to complete the sense out of verse 2, nevertheless they may be omitted. The translation may be made thus: From twenty years old and upward, etc., so that this would be the beginning of the muster roll which Moses made and read it out to the people.
b Num. 1:1, 2, 3.
8See Num. 1:2 and compare Exod. 30:12.
5¶Reuben, thec eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, 9of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:
c Gen. 46:9; Exod. 6:13; 1 Chron. 5:1.
9 The preposition of is inserted here according to the equality of the following manner of speech. So likewise verse 23, etc. The other words, whom cometh, must often be admitted and added to complete the sense according to the characteristic of the Hebrew language.
6Of 10Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.
10 Hebr. Chetsron.
7These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.
8And the 11sons of Pallu; Eliab.
11 The plural for the singular. See Gen. 21 on verse 7 and Gen. 46 on verse 7.
9And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. Thisdis that Dathan and Abiram, which were 12famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron 13in the company of Korah, when they strove against the LORD:
d Num. 16:2.
12 See Num. 1 on verse 16 and Num. 16:2.
13 Understand that mutinous and rebellious assembly whereof Korah was the ringleader. See Num. 16:1, 2, 3.
10And the earth 14opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together 15with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became 16a sign.
14 That is, did split asunder, making very broad and deep gaps.
15 Understand with Korah’s family, which then was with him, Num. 16:32, 33; for, Korah himself he was burned together with the two hundred and fifty men, Num. 16:35.
16 Hebr. unto a banner, that is, a remarkable example of the righteous judgment of God upon those who cause rebellion and schism against the order established by God in His church and commonwealth.
11Notwithstanding the children of Korah 17died not.
17 Namely, neither by fire which consumed their father and his company, nor by the sinking into the earth with their father’s family. This happened because they consented not to their father’s mutiny and were permitted to be busy in the service of the tabernacle.
12¶The sons of Simeon after their families: of 18Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:
18 Otherwise called Jemuel, Gen. 46:10.
13Of 19Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
19 Called also Zohar, Gen. 46:10.
14These are the families of the Simeonites, 20twenty and two thousand and two hundred.
20 Observe that their number was much diminished from what it was mentioned Num. 1:23, possibly because they were much attached to Zimri, the son of Salu, who was a chief ruler of the Simeonites, and, consequently in the matter of his evil deed, mentioned in Num. 25:14, have followed him therein.
15¶The children of Gad after their families: of 21Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:
21 Hebr. Tsephon, called elsewhere Ziphion, Gen. 46:16. Compare these names further with Genesis 46; likewise with 1 Chronicles 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6; 7; 8, etc.
16Of 22Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:
22 Who seemed likewise to be called Ezbon, Gen. 46:16.
17Of 23Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.
23 Called Arodi in Gen. 46:16.
18These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.
19¶The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: ande Er and Onan 24died in the land of Canaan.
e Gen. 38:7, 10; 46:12.
24 Namely, by a just judgment of God upon their gross and enormous sins. See Gen. 38 on verse 7.
20And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of 25Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.
25 Hebr. Perets.
21And the sons of Pharezf were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.
f Gen. 46:12.
22These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and sixteen thousand and five hundred.
23¶Of the sons of Issachar after their families: 26of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:
26 See on verse 5.
24Of 27Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.
27 Also called Job, Gen. 46:13.
25These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.
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.
27These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them, threescore thousand and five hundred.
28¶The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim.
29Of the sons of Manasseh: ofg Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites.
g Joshua 17:1.
30These are the sons of Gilead: 28of 29Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:
28 This particle is inserted here and in the two following verses out of the foregoing and ensuing manner of speaking in this chapter. See on verse 5.
29 Otherwise called Abiezer, Joshua 17:2 and elsewhere.
31And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:
32And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.
33¶Andh30Zelophehad 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.
h Num. 27:1.
30 Hebr. Tselophchad.
34These are the families of Manasseh, and those that were numbered of them, fifty and two thousand and seven hundred.
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.
36And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.
37These 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.
38¶The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of 31Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:
31 Ahiram seems to be likewise called Ehi, Gen. 46:21, and Aharah in 1 Chron. 8:1.
39Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.
40And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.
41These are the sons of Benjamin after their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and six hundred.
42¶These are the sons of Dan after their families: of 32Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.
32 Likewise called Gen. 46:23 Hushim.
43All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred.
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.
45Of the sons of Beriah: of 33Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.
33 Hebr. Cheber, with the letter cheth.
46And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.
47These 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.
48¶Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of 34Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:
34 Hebr. Jachtseel or Jahziel, as 1 Chron. 7:13.
49Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of 35Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.
35 Who is also called Shallum, 1 Chron. 7:13.
50These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.
51These were 36the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
36 Notice here the unfailing truth and mighty power of God in the promised multiplication of Abraham’s seed; for, whereas more than six hundred and three thousand Israelites have died in 38 years, nevertheless God caused it in such a way that the same number, which is mentioned in Num. 1:46, has remained, except for one thousand and a few hundreds.
52¶And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,
53Unto 37these the land shall be divided for an inheritance 38according to the number of names.
37 Namely, families of the tribes.
38 That is, according whether a family is small or large; that is, consisting of many people or a few, whose names were recorded in a register. Compare the next verse.
54Toi many 39thou 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.
i Num. 33:54.
39 All this was accordingly performed by Moses on this side of the Jordan among the tribes of Reuben, and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, Num. 32:33, but by Joshua, according to the command of Moses, among the other tribes and the other half of Manasseh, Joshua 14, etc.
55Notwithstanding the land shall be divided byj40lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers 41they shall inherit.
j Num. 33:54; Joshua 11:23; 14:2.
40 The land was first divided by lot into twelve tribes, and afterwards the tribes into their families, and that according to the judgment of their respective ruling heads and the high priest.
41 That is, the families of each tribe shall enter into their possession according to the manner prescribed in the previous verse.
56According to 42the lot shall the 43possession thereof be divided between many and few.
42 Hebr. according to the mouth of the lot; for, the lot is of the LORD, declaring His will.
43 Understand in regard of the division to be made among the tribes.
57¶Andk 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.
k Exod. 6:16, 17, 18, 19.
58These are the families of the Levites: the family of the 44Libnites, the family of the 45Hebronites, the family of the 46Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the 47Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.
44 Descending from Gershon. See Num. 3:18.
45 Issued from Kohath, Num. 3:19.
46 This family and the Mushites had their origin from Merari, Num. 3:20.
47 The descendants of Kohath, Num. 16:1.
59Andl the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, 48whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.
l Exod. 2:1, 2; 6:19.
48 Hebr. whom she bare to Levi. Understand by this giving birth to, not Jochebed (the person born), but the housewife of Levi, the mother of Jochebed and the aunt to Amram, whose grandfather was Levi.
60And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
61Andm Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.
m Lev. 10:2; Num. 3:4; 1 Chron. 24:2.
62And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males 49from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered 50among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.
49 Hebr. the sons of a month.
50 Hebr. in the midst; and so in the sequel of this verse.
63¶These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who 51numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.
51 See Num. 1:1, 2, etc.
64But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, 52when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.
52 See of this numbering, Exod. 30:12, 13, 14.
65Forn the LORD had said of them, They shall 53surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save 54Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.
n Num. 14:28, 29, 34, 35; 1 Cor. 10:5, 6.
53 Hebr. dying die, that is, assuredly die, namely, either by plagues or by their natural death, and that by reason of their rebellion. See Num. 14:28, 29, 30; 27:3.
54 These two remained faithful to God and had exhorted the people to the same, Num. 14:6, etc.