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Numbers 26

1

And it came to pass after the plague, that the Lord spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,

2

Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers’ house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.

3

And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,

4

Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the Lord commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

5

Reuben, the eldest son of Israel: the children of Reuben; Hanoch, of whom cometh the family of the Hanochites: of Pallu, the family of the Palluites:

2
6

Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Carmi, the family of the Carmites.

7

These are the families of the Reubenites: and they that were numbered of them were forty and three thousand and seven hundred and thirty.

8

And the sons of Pallu; Eliab.

9

And the sons of Eliab; Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, which were famous in the congregation, who strove against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they strove against the Lord:

10

And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, what time the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign.

1
11

Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not.

12

The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:

13

Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.

14

These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thousand and two hundred.

15

The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites: of Haggi, the family of the Haggites: of Shuni, the family of the Shunites:

16

Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites: of Eri, the family of the Erites:

17

Of Arod, the family of the Arodites: of Areli, the family of the Arelites.

18

These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them, forty thousand and five hundred.

1
19

The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.

20

And the sons of Judah after their families were; of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites: of Pharez, the family of the Pharzites: of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites.

21

And the sons of Pharez were; of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites: of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites.

22

These 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: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites: of Pua, the family of the Punites:

24

Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites: of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites.

25

These 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.

27

These 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.

29

Of the sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites: and Machir begat Gilead: of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites.

30

These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites: of Helek, the family of the Helekites:

31

And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites:

32

And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites: and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites.

33

And Zelophehad 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.

34

These 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.

36

And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites.

37

These 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 Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites:

39

Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites: of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites.

40

And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites.

41

These 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 Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families.

43

All 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.

45

Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites.

46

And the name of the daughter of Asher was Sarah.

47

These 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 Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites:

49

Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites.

50

These are the families of Naphtali according to their families: and they that were numbered of them were forty and five thousand and four hundred.

51

These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.

52

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,

53

Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.

54

To many thou 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.

55

Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit.

56

According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.

57

And 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.

58

These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.

59

And the name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister.

60

And unto Aaron was born Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

61

And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the Lord.

62

And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.

63

These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.

64

But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

65

For the Lord had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

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Numbers 26

The second census, conducted after the plague, numbers 601,730 fighting men (a slight decrease from the 603,550 of the first census, likely accounting for plague deaths), and the text emphasizes that 'among these there was not a man of those counted by Moses and Aaron in the Desert of Sinai' (except Caleb and Joshua), establishing that the entire first generation has been removed and a new generation stands ready to enter Canaan. The census is presented tribe by tribe with genealogical precision, reinforcing the narrative's concern with lineage and continuity; despite the wilderness's ravages, the tribal structure remains intact and the people's genealogical memory preserved. The land distribution is to be 'by lot' (goral) and 'proportional to the number of names,' establishing a principle of randomness (the lot) combined with demographic justice (larger tribes receive larger allotments), a mechanism that ensures divine determination of boundaries while acknowledging practical demographic realities. The exclusion of the Levites from numbered fighting men (they are counted separately, numbering 23,000) and from the land inheritance (they receive cities and pasurelands instead) reiterates the pattern established in Numbers 1 and 3, making the Levites' separation structural throughout the wilderness narrative. The preservation of Caleb's name ('Except for Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun, these are the only ones left') models the promise that the faithful who trust the LORD will survive the wilderness's trials and enter the land, making Numbers 26 simultaneously a memorial to the dead and a celebration of the living who will inherit the covenant promises. The chapter's demographic and genealogical precision transforms abstract covenant theology into concrete family and tribal continuity, teaching that the covenant is fulfilled not through individuals' efforts but through generational succession and the preservation of Israel's peoplehood across time.

Numbers 26:62

These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho — The census concludes with attribution to Moses and Eleazar, the civil and priestly authorities standing at Israel's threshold.

Numbers 26:63

But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered in the wilderness of Sinai — This theological assessment emphasizes the complete generational turnover: none of the first-generation (except Caleb and Joshua) survived to be counted here. The wilderness has claimed its generation.

Numbers 26:55

According to the lot shall the inheritance thereof be divided between the more and the fewer — The lot ensures fairness regardless of tribe size. Even smaller tribes receive their due portion, protected from disadvantage by the randomizing mechanism of the lot.

Numbers 26:54

Notwithstanding the land shall be divided by lot: according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit — Though the distribution follows population numbers, the specific boundaries will be determined by lot. This interweaves human logic (proportional distribution) with divine determination (the lot). The lot removes human favoritism and ensures that each tribe's inheritance is assigned by divine will.

Numbers 26:56

And 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 — The Levites are enumerated separately, as they do not inherit land but rather receive cities and tithes (Numbers 35). The Levitic families are traced through the three sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

Numbers 26:57

These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korahites. And Kohath begat Amram — The Levitic subdivisions are detailed, with attention to Kohath's line, which includes Moses and Aaron's family.

Numbers 26:58

And the name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, whom her mother bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare to Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister — The genealogical notation explicitly traces Moses and Aaron's parentage through Amram and Jochebed. The mention that Jochebed was a 'daughter of Levi' indicates she was a direct descendant of Levi himself, making the priestly line intensely pure. The inclusion of Miriam (the prophetess) acknowledges her role in the Exodus narrative.

Numbers 26:59

And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar — Aaron's marriage to Elisheba (whose brother Nahshon led Judah's census) shows tribal intermarriage and alliance. Aaron's sons are listed: Nadab and Abihu (who died for offering strange fire), and Eleazar and Ithamar (who survived and continued the priesthood).

Numbers 26:60

And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD — This parenthetical note reiterates the judgment on Nadab and Abihu (Leviticus 10), a reminder that even the sons of the high priest must maintain covenant standards. Their death shapes the priestly succession: Eleazar becomes the primary heir.

Numbers 26:61

And the Levites were numbered after their families: and all that were numbered of them according to their families were twenty-three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel — The Levites total 23,000, counted from infants onward (unlike the other tribes, counted from age twenty). This lower count reflects the Levites' different role: not warriors and landholders but priestly servants and sanctuary workers. Their inheritance is the LORD Himself (Numbers 18:20).

Numbers 26:64

For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun — Only Caleb and Joshua survive, fulfilling the divine judgment pronounced at Kadesh (Numbers 14). Their survival marks them as the faithful remnant whose confidence in the LORD vindicated them through forty years of wandering. The second generation's arrival in the plains of Moab is the fulfillment of their predecessors' deaths and the promise of the inheritors.

Numbers 26:65

For the LORD said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness; and there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun — The verse is repeated for emphasis, making clear that the desert generation has passed and a new covenant generation—purged, tested, and ready—now stands poised for conquest.

Numbers 26:12

The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites; of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites; of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites — Simeon's genealogy begins the detailed family enumeration. The Simeonites will be among those most affected by the Peor plague, as Zimri son of Salu was their representative in that violation.

Numbers 26:13

Of Zerah, the family of the Zarahites; of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites — The Simeonite families are named in succession, maintaining genealogical continuity.

Numbers 26:14

These are the families of the Simeonites: twenty-two thousand and two hundred — Simeon's census drops dramatically from 59,300 (Numbers 1:23) to 22,200, a loss of over 37,000. This severe decrease reflects both the general wilderness attrition and the specific toll of the Peor judgment on Simeon's reputation. The tribe that produced Zimri, the chief offender, is decimated.

Numbers 26:15

The children of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites; of Haggi, the family of the Haggites; of Shuni, the family of the Shunites — Gad's enumeration follows, establishing the genealogical record for the eastern tribes.

Numbers 26:16

Of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites — The Gadite families continue their genealogical lines.

Numbers 26:17

Of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites — Additional Gadite families are registered.

Numbers 26:18

These are the families of the children of Gad according to those that were numbered of them: forty thousand and five hundred — Gad is numbered at 40,500, compared to 45,650 in the first census. The decrease reflects normal wilderness mortality adjusted for the tribe's size.

Numbers 26:19

The sons of Judah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan — This parenthetical note reminds the reader that Judah's eldest sons died in Canaan (Genesis 38) before the wilderness era. Even this ancient judgment shapes the genealogical record of the second generation.

Numbers 26:20

And the sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zarahites — Judah's families are enumerated, with Perez standing out as the progenitor of a significant line (eventually leading to David).

Numbers 26:21

And the sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites — Perez's descendants multiply within the genealogical record, establishing a secure line of inheritance.

Numbers 26:22

These are the families of Judah according to those that were numbered of them: threescore and sixteen thousand five hundred — Judah is numbered at 76,500, compared to 74,600 in the first census. Judah's slight increase reflects the tribe's strength and importance. As the tribe from which the monarchy will emerge, Judah's growth is significant.

Numbers 26:23

Of the sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the family of the Puvahites — Issachar's enumeration begins with the first of its family divisions.

Numbers 26:24

Of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites — The Issacharite families continue their genealogical registration.

Numbers 26:25

These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them: sixty-four thousand three hundred — Issachar is numbered at 64,300, compared to 54,400 in the first census. The increase of nearly 10,000 suggests the tribe's demographic stability or growth.

Numbers 26:26

Of the sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Seredites; of Elon, the family of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites — Zebulun's families are enumerated, establishing the genealogical record for this northern tribe.

Numbers 26:27

These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those that were numbered of them: sixty thousand and five hundred — Zebulun is numbered at 60,500, compared to 57,400 in the first census, a modest increase.

Numbers 26:28

The sons of Joseph after their families were Manasseh and Ephraim — Joseph's descendants are singled out for special enumeration. Unlike the other tribes, Joseph is represented through his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. This reflects Jacob's adoption of Joseph's sons and the subdivision of Joseph's inheritance into two tribal portions.

Numbers 26:29

The sons of Manasseh: of Makir, the family of the Makirites; and Makir begat Gilead; of Gilead come the family of the Gileadites — Manasseh's genealogy emphasizes Makir, whose son Gilead gives his name to the eastern territory east of the Jordan. The genealogical structure here interconnects personal lineage with geographical inheritance.

Numbers 26:30

These are the sons of Gilead: of Jeezer, the family of the Jeezerites; of Helek, the family of the Helekites — The Gileadite families branch further, each claiming inheritance in the land.

Numbers 26:31

And of Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; and of Shechem, the family of the Shechemites — Additional Gileadite families populate the genealogical record.

Numbers 26:32

And of Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; and of Hepher, the family of the Hepherites — More Gileadite branches establish their genealogical standing.

Numbers 26:33

And Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters: and the name of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah — This crucial notation introduces the daughters of Zelophehad, whose case will be the center of chapter 27. Their father had no sons, so his inheritance would normally pass to his brothers. These five daughters—Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah—will challenge the system and establish a precedent for female inheritance.

Numbers 26:34

These are the families of Manasseh according to those that were numbered of them: fifty-two thousand seven hundred — Manasseh is numbered at 52,700, compared to 32,200 in the first census—a dramatic increase of 20,500. This growth is significant, as it reflects the strengthening of the northern kingdom's future demographic base.

Numbers 26:35

These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the family of the Becherites; of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites — Ephraim's families are enumerated separately, maintaining the distinction between Joseph's two sons.

Numbers 26:36

And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites — The genealogical subdivision continues downward.

Numbers 26:37

These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them: thirty-two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families — Ephraim is numbered at 32,500, compared to 40,500 in the first census, a significant decrease. Joseph's total tribes (Manasseh 52,700 plus Ephraim 32,500) remain strong at 85,200.

Numbers 26:38

The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites — Benjamin's genealogical enumeration begins, establishing the families of the tribe that will produce King Saul and eventually the southern kingdom.

Numbers 26:39

Of Shupham, the family of the Shuphamites; of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites — Benjamin's families continue their genealogical registration.

Numbers 26:40

And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites; of Naaman, the family of the Naanites — The genealogical tree branches further within Benjamin.

Numbers 26:41

These are the sons of Benjamin after their families according to those that were numbered of them: forty-five thousand and six hundred — Benjamin is numbered at 45,600, compared to 35,400 in the first census, an increase of over 10,000. This growth in Benjamin's numbers foreshadows the tribe's future importance as the home of Jerusalem and the monarchy.

Numbers 26:42

These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan according to all their families — Dan's enumeration is brief, as the tribe had only one son, Hushim (Genesis 46:23), from whom all Danites descended.

Numbers 26:43

All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were numbered of them, were threescore and four thousand and four hundred — Dan is numbered at 64,400, compared to 62,700 in the first census, a slight increase of 1,700. Though small in genealogical branches, Dan's military strength remains substantial.

Numbers 26:44

Of the sons of Asher after their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites; of Ishui, the family of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the family of the Berites — Asher's genealogical enumeration establishes the families of the tribe known for fruitfulness in the north.

Numbers 26:45

Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites; of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites — Beriah's descendants branch into additional families.

Numbers 26:46

And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah: these are the families of Asher according to those that were numbered of them: fifty-three thousand and four hundred — Asher is numbered at 53,400, compared to 41,500 in the first census. Notably, Serah daughter of Asher is explicitly named—one of only a few women mentioned by name in the genealogical records. Serah would become a legendary figure in Jewish tradition, said to have witnessed the Exodus and entered the promised land.

Numbers 26:48

Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites — Naphtali's genealogical divisions continue.

Numbers 26:49

These are the families of Naphtali according to those that were numbered of them: forty-five thousand and four hundred — Naphtali is numbered at 45,400, compared to 53,400 in the first census—a decrease of about 8,000. Despite the decrease, Naphtali's numbers remain considerable.

Numbers 26:50

These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty — The total of the second generation is 601,730, slightly lower than the first census of 603,550 (Numbers 1:46). The marginal decrease reflects the wilderness attrition but demonstrates remarkable population stability. The second generation is ready for conquest.

Numbers 26:51

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying — The divine voice authorizes the distribution that is about to commence.

Numbers 26:52

Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names — The cardinal principle of distribution is established: land allocation will be proportional to population. More populous tribes receive larger portions; less populous tribes receive smaller portions. This ensures equitable distribution and sustainable settlement patterns.

Numbers 26:53

To a large tribe thou shalt give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe thou shalt give a small inheritance: every tribe shall receive inheritance according to those that were numbered of it — The proportional principle is reiterated with clarity. The second generation will inherit the land not through chance but through ordered distribution based on population count. This reflects the LORD's justice and order in land division.

Numbers 26:47

Of the sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites; of Guni, the family of the Gunites — Naphtali's families are enumerated, representing the northernmost tribe.

Numbers 26:6

Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites — The Reubenite families continue to multiply and maintain tribal identity through kinship networks. The recitation of family names (bet ab, father's house) demonstrates how Israel preserves identity and inheritance rights through genealogical record.

Numbers 26:1

And it came to pass after the plague that the LORD spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying — After the crisis at Peor and the judgment plague, the LORD commands a new census of the second generation. This marks a theological reset: a new generation must be counted to possess the land. The involvement of Eleazar (Aaron's surviving son, now the high priest after Aaron's death) alongside Moses shows the continuity of leadership—both the civil (Moses) and priestly (Eleazar) authorities oversee the new covenant community.

Numbers 26:2

Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel from twenty years old and upward, all who are able to go to war in Israel — The criteria remain as in the first census: military-age males capable of bearing arms. Yet this is a new generation, forged in the wilderness, tried by plague and judgment. They stand at the threshold of the land, ready for conquest. The counting is not mere bureaucracy but covenantal accounting—the LORD registers those who will inherit the promises.

Numbers 26:3

And Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying — The location—the plains of Moab, by the Jordan at Jericho—places the second generation at the very edge of the promised land. Jericho will be the first battle of conquest. The geographical detail underscores that this census occurs at the threshold of fulfillment, where the old wilderness generation has been stripped away and only those capable of conquest remain.

Numbers 26:4

Take a census of the people, from twenty years old and upward, as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel who came out of Egypt — This verse links the second census to the first, drawing a line from Egypt's liberation to the threshold of Canaan. The phrase 'as the LORD commanded' emphasizes that even this new generation operates under the same covenant stipulations. Moses reminds them that the census derives from divine command, maintaining continuity with covenant structure.

Numbers 26:5

Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: the sons of Reuben were Hanoch, of whom came the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Pallites — The genealogical listing begins with Reuben, Israel's firstborn, though his birthright was forfeited due to his sin with Bilhah (Genesis 35:22). The enumeration of families within each tribe shows the internal genealogical structure. These names represent continuity: clans survive and persist despite the wilderness judgments. Each family name carries both the promise of land inheritance and the memory of covenant membership.

Numbers 26:7

These are the families of the Reubenites: and they who were numbered of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty — Reuben's count in the second census is 43,730, compared to 46,500 in the first census (Numbers 1:21). The slight decrease reflects the wilderness mortality and the Peor plague's toll. Each tribe's adjusted count prepares for proportional land distribution.

Numbers 26:8

The son of Pallu: Eliab — Eliab is noted as the father of Dathan and Abiram, who led the rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16). This genealogical notation preserves the memory of covenant rebellion and its consequences. Even those whose fathers rebelled are now counted in the new generation.

Numbers 26:9

And the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, and Dathan, and Abiram. This is that Dathan and Abiram, the ones chosen of the congregation, who rose up against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, against the LORD — The parenthetical note explicitly reminds the reader of Dathan and Abiram's rebellion and their destruction by the earth opening and swallowing them. This historical notation within the census serves as a warning: covenant rebellion brings annihilation. The second generation must learn from their predecessors' judgments.

Numbers 26:10

And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred and fifty men: and they became a sign — The divine judgment is recounted in spare, devastating terms: the earth itself becomes an instrument of judgment, swallowing the rebels. The 'sign' (ot) they became is a perpetual warning embedded in Israel's memory. The second generation reads this history in the census itself.

Numbers 26:11

Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not — Though Korah and his company perished, his sons survived. This verse hints at grace within judgment: the next generation of Korah's line escaped their father's fate. Korah's descendants would later become Levitical singers (Psalm titles mention 'Sons of Korah'). Even within judgment, God preserves a remnant.