View Numbers 26 in the note window.
Orders for numbering the people, ver. 1 - 4.
Their families and number, ver. 5 - 51.
Directions for dividing the land between them, ver. 52 - 55.
The families and number of the Levites, ver. 56 - 62.
Notice taken of the death of them that were first numbered, ver. 62 - 65.
2: Take the sum - They were numbered twice before, (Ex 30:11,12)(Nu 1:1,2). Now they are numbered a third time, to demonstrate the
faithfulness of God, both in cutting all those off whom he had threatened
to cut off, (Nu 14:29), and in a stupendous increase of the people
according to his promise, notwithstanding all their sins, and the sweeping
judgments inflicted upon them; and to prepare the way for the equal division
of the land, which they were now going to possess.
7: Families - The chief houses, which were subdivided into divers
lesser families. Forty three thousand seven hundred and thirty - Whereas
in their last numbering they were forty six thousand five hundred; for
Korah's conspiracy, as well as other provocations of theirs, had cut off
many of them.
10: With Korah - According to this translation Korah was not
consumed by fire with his two hundred and fifty men, but swallowed up by
the earth. But others rather think he was devoured by the fire, and render
these words, and the things of Korah, or belonging to Korah,
namely, his tent and goods, and family, children excepted, as here follows.
A sign - God made them a monument or example, to warn others not to rebel
against God, or magistracy, nor to usurp the priestly office.
11: Died not - God being pleased to spare them, because they disowned
their father's fact, and separated themselves both from his tent and
company. Hence the sons of Korah are mentioned, (1Ch 6:22,38),
and often in the book of Psalms.
12: Jachin - Called also Jarib, (1Ch 4:24). And such names
might be either added or changed upon some special occasion not recorded in
scripture.
14: Twenty two thousand and two hundred - No tribe decreased so much
as Simeon's. From fifty nine thousand and three hundred it sunk to
twenty two thousand and two hundred, little more than a third part of what
it was. One whole family of that tribe, (Ohad mentioned (Ex 6:15))
was extinct in the wilderness. Some think most of the twenty four thousand,
cut off by the plague for the iniquity of Peor, were of that tribe.
For Zimri, a ring - leader in that iniquity, was a prince of that tribe.
Simeon is not mentioned in Moses's blessing, (De 33:1-29).
And the lot of that tribe in Canaan was inconsiderable, only a canton out
of Judah's lot, (Jos 19:9).
18: Children of Gad - Fewer by above five thousand than there were
in their last numbering.
22: The families of Judah - About two thousand more than they were,(Nu 1:27), whereas the foregoing tribes were all diminished.
34: Fifty two thousand and seven hundred - Whereas they were but
thirty two thousand and two hundred, in (Nu 1:35). So they are now
increased above twenty thousand, according to that prophecy, (Ge 49:22).
38: The sons of Benjamin - Who were ten, (Ge 46:21), whereof
only five are here mentioned, the rest probably, together with their
families, being extinct.
43: Threescore and four thousand and four hundred - All from one son
and family, whereas of Benjamin who had ten sons, and five families,
there were only forty five thousand and six hundred, to shew that the
increase of families depends singly upon God's blessing and good pleasure.
51: These were the numbered - Very nigh as many as there were before,(Nu 1:46). So wisely and marvellously did God at the same time manifest
his justice in cutting off so vast a number; his mercy in giving such a
speedy and numerous supply; and his truth in both.
53: The land shall be divided - 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. Of names - Of persons, 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. And withal, if one of the portions proved too
large or too little for the families and persons of that tribe, they might
give part of their portion to another tribe, (as Simeon and Dan had
part of Judah's share) or take away a part from the portion belonging to
another tribe.
55: By lot - For the tribes, not for the several families; for the
distribution of it to them was left to the rulers wisdom according to the
rule now given.
56: Many and few - 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.
65: Not left a man - Only of the Levites, who being not guilty of
that sin did not partake of their judgment.
