Numbers 26 Footnotes

26:12-14 The census of the five Simeonite clans reflects the most significant decrease from the first census, a loss of 37,100—more than sixty percent fewer men of military age and capability.

26:19-22 The militia from the four Judahite clans experienced a slight increase of nine hundred. The notation regarding the loss of Er and Onan because of their disobedience is a reminder of God’s judgment upon the unfaithful.

26:28-34 The dramatic increase of sixty-three percent in the militia of Manasseh and its six clans—from 32,200 to 52,700—would motivate their request for additional territory on the east side of the Jordan River. The Machirite clan followed the lead of the Reubenites and Gadites and requested territory in Gilead for their inheritance, and Moses granted their request once they had pledged their support of the Cisjordan tribes in the conquest of Canaan.

26:51 The overall figure of 601,730 was witness to the providence of God in preserving the population of the Israelites during the forty-year wilderness sojourn. Though a whole generation of Israelite military would die, except for Joshua and Caleb, God would raise up a complete new generation to inherit the land originally promised. On the size of the population and the view of critics, see the introduction to the book of Numbers.

26:57-62 As in the first census, the Levites were not numbered among the militia but were counted in the manner of 3:43 for the purpose of redeeming the firstborn sons of the twelve tribes, beginning at the age of one month (3:40-51). The Levites showed a net increase of about a thousand over the previous count. The genealogy of Aaron’s sons always includes Nadab and Abihu, although they died as a result of profaning the sanctuary with an unholy fire offering. This serves as a reminder that God shows no partiality in judgment.