Numbers 26

CHAPTER 26

The Second Census (26:1–65)

1–4 This chapter records the second of the two censuses from which the book of Numbers takes its name. The first census had been taken thirty-eight years earlier when the first generation of Israelites were about to set out from Mount Sinai to take possession of Canaan (Numbers Chapter 1). Now all of that generation had died off (except Moses, Joshua and Caleb), and so the Lord commanded Moses and Aaron’s son Eleazar to take a new census. The purpose of this new census was twofold: first, to determine the number of men available for serving in Israel’s army; and second, to determine the amount of land that should be allotted to each of Israel’s twelve tribes (see verses 52–54).

This second census should not be seen as just another boring list of names. Instead, this census gives proof of God’s faithfulness to Israel. In spite of Israel’s unfaithfulness, in spite of repeated judgments upon the people, and in spite of thirty–eight years of living in the middle of a bleak wilderness—in spite of all this, the number of Israelites had remained almost constant: according to the first census, there were 603,550 men over twenty years of age (Numbers 1:46); according to the second census, there were 601,730 (verse 51). This meant that the Israelites were just as prepared to conquer Canaan as they had been at the first census; their military might had been preserved.

God had not abandoned His people; His promise to give them the land remained sure.

God’s word is always reliable; just as He is faithful to His word in punishing evildoers, so He is faithful to His promise to preserve and bless His people. God does everything He says He will do; His word never fails.

5–51 A few special points of interest should be mentioned concerning this census. In verses 8–11, we are reminded about Dathan and Abiram, who died in Korah’s rebellion (Numbers Chapter 16). They served as a warning sign: if this new generation of Israelites rebelled against God, they would share a similar fate.

Notice in verse 14 that out of all the tribes, Simeon suffered the greatest decrease in numbers compared with the first census: 59,300 (Numbers 1:23) to 22,200. This decrease may have been caused by the sin of Zimri the Simeonite (Numbers 25:69,14); he may have been responsible for the plague that killed 24,000 Israelites—most of whom may have been from his own tribe.

Note the name Perez hidden away in verse 20. Perez would become the ancestor of David, Israel’s greatest king, and also of David’s greater Son, Jesus Christ, the King of kings (Ruth 4:18–22; Matthew 1:3).

Finally, if one compares in detail the names listed in this census with the names listed in Genesis Chapter 46 and in 1 Chronicles Chapters 1–9, a number of variations can be found—especially in regard to the tribe of Benjamin (verses 38–40). The explanation is that some people had more than one name and some names had more than one spelling; furthermore, the census lists themselves were often incomplete.⁹⁰

52–56 The area of land that each tribe would inherit depended on the number of men in the tribe; the larger the tribe, the larger the area. But the location of each tribe’s land was to be chosen by lot (verse 55), so that each tribe would have an equal chance of getting the best land. Of course, nothing in the universe happens by “chance”; everything is under God’s sovereign control—including the casting of lots (Proverbs 16:33).

57–62 The Levites were counted separately, just as they were in the first census (Numbers 1:47). The reason given was that they would not be receiving an allotment of land (verse 62); neither would they be required to fight in the army. Their primary responsibility was to take care of the tabernacle (Numbers 1:48–50). There was a practical reason why the Levites received no land; if they had, they might have been distracted from their duties at the tabernacle. This principle applies to Christian workers today; those who have been specially called to God’s service must avoid being entangled in the concerns of this world (see 2 Timothy 2:3–4).

In verses 59–61, the parentage of Moses and Aaron is highlighted (Exodus 6:20), together with the deaths of Aaron’s two eldest sons, Nadab and Abihu (see Leviticus 10:1–2)—another warning about the danger of disobeying the Lord’s commands.

63–65 These verses once again remind us that God’s word is sure. He had said that all of the first generation of Israelites would die in the desert except Joshua and Caleb (Numbers 14:26–30); and now it had come true. Soon Moses would die. And then, in fulfillment of God’s promise, Joshua would lead the second generation of Israelites across the Jordan River to take possession of the promised land.

But let us not forget those thirty-eight wasted years; that is the lesson these two censuses hold for us. The Israelites spent those years wandering without direction because of their unbelief and disobedience. Their numbers may have remained the same, but they certainly didn’t grow. The people failed to honor God during those years; they missed His will, His plan—His blessing. Let this not be said of our church today; we Christians need to step out in faith and obedience and enter the promised land. And as we do so, God will go before us.