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Numbers 26

65 verses

TL;DR

The Israelites were recounted in the wilderness, the tribes’ numbers recorded, and the land was to be divided by lot according to those numbers, with the Levites receiving no inheritance.

Summary

In Numbers 26, God instructs Moses and Eleazar to count all Israelite men of military age, starting after the plague. The census lists each tribe, its sub‑tribes, and the number of men within, including a note on Dathan and Abiram’s rebellion. The total is recorded as 603,730. God then commands that the land of Canaan be divided by lot among the tribes, with the inheritance size based on each tribe’s number, though the number of men does not affect the amount of land allotted. The Levites are listed separately; they are not given a territorial inheritance but are set apart for service. The chapter closes with a note that no other Israelites remained from the earlier census except Caleb and Joshua, who would lead the next generation into Canaan.

Outline
  1. 1. Census of Israelite men of military age
  2. 2. Listing of tribes and sub‑tribes with numbers
  3. 3. Instructions for land division by lot and Levite enumeration
Themes
Divine census and orderInheritance and justiceLeadership and faithfulnessThe role of the Levites
Keywords
censusinheritancetribelotLevitesmilitary ageland of CanaanIsraelIsraelitesnumberdivision
People
MosesEleazarAaronKorahDathanAbiramCalebJoshuaAmramJochebedAaron (son)Moses (son)MiriamNadabAbihuEleazar (son)Ithamar
Places
MoabJordanJerichoEgyptCanaanSinaiIsrael
Things
censusinheritanceland divisionlottribesLevitesmilitary age men
Key Verses
  • Numbers 26:51: States the total number of Israelite men counted, a pivotal data point for the land division
  • Numbers 26:54-55: Details the method of land allocation by lot based on tribe size, linking census to inheritance
  • Numbers 26:62-65: Highlights the unique status of the Levites and the survival of Caleb and Joshua, emphasizing continuity
  • Numbers 26:10-12: Reminds of the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram, showing consequences of dissent
Questions
  • Why did God command a census after the plague?
  • How does the method of division by lot affect perceptions of fairness?
  • What is the significance of the Levites not receiving a territorial inheritance?
  • How does the mention of Dathan and Abiram serve as a cautionary tale?
  • What does the survival of Caleb and Joshua signify for the next generation?
Sentiment

neutral
The chapter reports facts and commands without emotive language.