Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge, by R.A. Torrey, [ca. 1880], at sacred-texts.com
Numbers Chapter 26
Overview
Num 26:1, The sum of all Israel is taken in the plains of Moab; Num 26:52, The law of dividing among them the inheritance of the land; Num 26:57, The families and number of the Levites; Num 26:63, None was left of them which were numbered at Sinai, but Caleb and Joshua.
The plague having swept away the last of that devoted generation, which provoked the Lord to "swear in his wrath that they should not enter" Canaan; he now, after an interval of 38 years, commands another census of the Israelites to be made, to preserve the distinction of families, and to regulate the tribes previous to their entry into the promised land, as well as to ascertain the proportion of land which should be allotted to each tribe. For, though the whole was divided by lot, yet the portions were so disposed, that a numerous tribe did not draw where the lots assigned small inheritances, or the contrary.
Num 1:2, Num 1:3; Exo 30:12, Exo 38:25, Exo 38:26
Num 26:63, Num 22:1, Num 31:12, Num 33:48, Num 35:1; Deu 4:46-49, Deu 34:1, Deu 34:6, Deu 34:8
the eldest: Gen 29:32, Gen 49:2, Gen 49:3; Ch1 5:1, thy children, Gen 46:8, Gen 46:9; Exo 6:14; Ch1 5:3
Num 26:1, Num 26:21, Num 2:11; Gen 46:9
Num 1:16, Num 16:1, 2-35; Psa 106:17; Jde 1:11
earth opened: Num 16:2, Num 16:31-35, Num 16:38, Num 27:3; Exo 16:35; Psa 106:17, Psa 106:18
together: The Samaritan text does not intimate that Korah was swallowed up, but that he was burnt, as appears to have been the fact; and the Psalmist also (Psa 106:17), only mentions Dathan and Abiram as having been swallowed up. "And the earth swallowed them up, what time that company died; and the fire devoured Korah with the 250 men, who became a sign."
they became a sign: Num 16:38; Sa1 2:34; Jer 29:22; Eze 14:8; Co1 10:6-10; Pe2 2:6; Jde 1:7
It seems to be intimated in Num 16:27, Num 16:31-33, that the sons and the little ones of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, were swallowed up; but the text here expressly affirms, that the children of Korah "died not;" and their descendants were famous even in David's time. On a close inspection, however, of Num 26:27, we shall find, that the sons and the little ones of Dathan and Abiram alone are mentioned.
Num 16:5; Exo 6:24; Ch1 6:22-28; Psa 42:1, Psa 44:1, Psa 45:1, Psa 46:1, Psa 47:1 *titles Psa 48:1, Psa 49:1, Psa 50:1 *titles
Nemuel: Gen 46:10; Exo 6:15, Jemuel
Jachin: Kg1 7:21; Ch1 4:24, Jarib
Zerah: Gen 46:10, Zohar
The immense decrease of this tribe, no less than 37,100, renders it highly probable, that, influenced by the bad example of Zimri, the Simeonites had been peculiarly criminal in the late wickedness, and that multitudes of them had died of the plague. It is remarkable, that Moses, in Deut. 33, bestows no blessing upon this tribe.
Num 1:22, Num 1:23, Num 2:12, Num 2:13
Zephon: Num 2:14; Gen 46:16, Ziphion, Haggai
Shuni: Ezbon, Eri, Arodi, Areli
or, Ezbon, Gen 46:16
Gen 46:16, Arodi
Num 1:24, Num 1:25, Num 2:14, Num 2:15
Er and Onan: Gen 38:1-10, Gen 46:12; Ch1 2:3-8
Shelah: Gen 38:5, Gen 38:11, Gen 38:14, Gen 38:26-30; Ch1 4:21
Pharez: Gen 38:27-29, Gen 46:12; Rut 4:18-22; Ch1 2:3-8; Neh 11:4, Neh 11:6, Neh 11:24, Perez, Mat 1:3; Luk 3:33, Phares
Zerah: Gen 38:30, Gen 46:12, Zarah, Ch1 2:4; Neh 11:24
Num 1:26, Num 1:27, Num 2:3, Num 2:4; Gen 49:8; Ch1 5:2; Psa 115:14; Heb 7:14
the sons: Num 2:5; Gen 30:17, Gen 30:18, Gen 46:13; Ch1 7:1
Pua: or, Phuvah
Jashub: or, Job, Gen 46:13
threescore: Num 1:28, Num 1:29, Num 2:5, Num 2:6
Gen 30:19, Gen 30:20, Gen 46:14
Num 1:30, Num 1:31, Num 2:7, Num 2:8
Gen 41:51, Gen 41:52, Gen 46:20, Gen 48:5, Gen 48:13-20
Machir: Num 32:39, Num 32:40, Num 36:1; Gen 48:14; Deu 3:15; Jos 17:1; Jdg 5:14; Ch1 7:14-19
Jeezer: called Abiezer, Jos 17:2; Jdg 6:11, Jdg 6:24, Jdg 6:34, Jdg 8:2
Zelophehad: Num 27:1, Num 36:10-12
Num 1:34, Num 1:35, Num 2:20, Num 2:21
Becher: Ch1 7:20, Ch1 7:21, Bered, Tahath, Eladah, Tahath
Num 1:32, Num 1:33, Num 2:18, Num 2:19
sons of Benjamin: Ch1 7:6-12
Ahiram: Gen 46:2, Ehi, Ch1 8:1, Aharah
Shupham: Gen 46:21, Muppim, and Huppim
Ard and Naaman: Ch1 8:3, Addar
Num 1:36, Num 1:37, Num 2:22, Num 2:23; Gen 46:21
Shuham: Gen 46:23, Hushim
Num 1:38, Num 1:39, Num 2:25, Num 2:26
the children of Asher: Gen 46:17, Jimnah, Ishuah, Isui, Ch1 7:30, Imnah, Isuah, Ishuai
Sarah: Gen 46:17, Serah
Num 1:40, Num 1:41, Num 2:27, Num 2:28
the sons of Naphtali: Gen 46:24; Ch1 7:13
Shillem: Ch1 7:13, Shallum
Num 1:42, Num 1:43, Num 2:29, Num 2:30
The following comparative statement will show how much some of the tribes had increased, and others had diminished, since the enumeration in chapter 1. Thus we find there was the following increase and decrease in the several tribes:
Population Changes Tribe Now Before Change + / - 1. Judah 76,500 74,600 1,900 increase 2. Dan 64,400 62,700 1,700 increase 3. Simeon 22,200 59,300 37,100 decrease 4. Zebulun 60,500 57,400 3,100 increase 5. Issachar 64,300 54,400 9,900 increase 6. Naphtali 45,400 53,400 8,000 decrease 7. Reuben 43,730 46,500 2,770 decrease 8. Gad 40,500 45,650 5,150 decrease 9. Asher 53,400 41,500 11,900 increase 10. Ephraim 32,500 40,500 8,000 decrease 11. Benjamin 45,600 35,400 10,200 increase 12. Manasseh 52,700 32,200 20,500 increase Totals: 601,730 603,550 Decreases 61,020 Increases 59,200 Change -1,820 It should be observed, that among these there was not one of the former census, except Joshua and Caleb. (See note on Num 26:64, and see note on Num 26:65.) Thus, though there was such an amazing increase in seven tribes, yet so great was the decrease in the other five tribes, that the balance against the present census is 1,820, as appears above. Notwithstanding the amazing increase in some, and decrease in other tribes, the same sort of proportion is kept in their several divisions; so as to keep the division in the front the largest, and that in the rear the next.
Num 1:46, Num 2:32; Neh 9:23; Job 12:9, Job 12:10, Job 12:14, Job 12:20-23; Psa 77:20
Gen 12:2, Gen 12:7; Jos 11:23, Jos 14:1; Psa 49:14, Psa 105:44; Eze 47:22; Dan 7:27; Mat 5:5; Rev 5:10, Rev 21:27
many: Num 32:3, Num 32:5, Num 33:54; Jos 17:14
give the more: Heb. multiply his
give the less: Heb. diminish his.
by lot: Num 26:56, Num 33:54, Num 34:13; Jos 11:23, Jos 14:2, Jos 17:14, Jos 18:6, Jos 18:10, Jos 18:11, Jos 19:1, Jos 19:10; Jos 19:17, Jos 19:24, Jos 19:32, Jos 19:40; Pro 16:33, Pro 18:18; Act 1:26; Col 1:12; Rev 7:4-8
This division by lot seems to have respect only to the quarter, or situation, which each tribe was to possess, and not to the quantity or extent of land, which was to be proportioned to the numbers of each tribe, according to the register now formed. Thus, for instance, it was determined by lot which of the twelve tribes was to inherit in the south, which in the north, etc.. then, in that quarter where the lot fell, a larger or smaller portion of land was assigned them, according to the goodness of the soil, and in proportion as they were more or less numerous. Thus the decreasing of any tribe in the wilderness, proved the decrease of their future political importance and affluence in all succeeding ages. This equal division of property was, under God, the great bulwark and strength of the Hebrew commonwealth. According to the most exact calculations, Canaan contained 14,976,000 acres; which, divided among 600,000 men, will allow of more than 21 acres and a half to each, with a remainder of 1,976,000 acres for the princes of tribes, Levitical cities, etc., so that there was an ample provision to enable each person, with all the advantages of that fertile country and fine climate, to live, if not in affluent, yet in very comfortable circumstances. Canaan lies between lat. 31 degrees and 33 degrees 30 minutes n, and long. 35 degrees and 37 degrees e; its length, from the city of Dan to Beersheba, is about 200 miles; and its breadth, from the shores of the Mediterranean to the eastern borders, about 90. The Canaanites, the descendants of Canaan, son of Ham, and the original inhabitants of the land, were divided into seven principal nations - the Amorites, Hittites, Jebusites, Girgashites, Canaanites, Perizzites, and Hivites, and formed themselves into almost as many kingdoms as they had cities. After their defeat by the Israelites, such as escaped the sword became tributary; but in process of time, having seduced them to their idolatries, they recovered many of the strongest places in the country; and even formed themselves into a mighty kingdom in Galilee. They were, however, again defeated by Barak, but were not finally subdued till the reign of David and Solomon; the latter of whom employed 153,600 in the most servile parts of the work of building the temple, palace, etc.
these are: Num 35:2, Num 35:3; Gen 46:11; Exo 6:16-19; Ch1 6:1, Ch1 6:16-30
of Gershon: Num. 3:1-4:49
Exo 2:1, Exo 2:2, Exo 6:20; Lev 18:12
Num 3:4; Lev 10:1, Lev 10:2; Ch1 24:1, Ch1 24:2
those that: Num 1:49, Num 3:39, Num 4:27, Num 4:48, Num 18:20-24, Num 35:2-8; Deu 10:9, Deu 14:27-29, Deu 18:1, Deu 18:2; Jos 13:14, Jos 13:33, Jos 14:3
they were not: Num 1:49
because: Num 18:20-24, Num 35:2-8; Deu 10:9, Deu 14:27-29, Deu 18:1, Deu 18:2; Jos 13:14, Jos 13:33, Jos 14:3
Num. 1:1-2:34; Deu 2:14, Deu 2:15, Deu 4:3, Deu 4:4; Co1 10:5
They shall: Num 14:23, Num 14:24, Num 14:28-30, Num 14:35, Num 14:38; Exo 12:37; Deu 2:14, Deu 2:15, Deu 32:49, Deu 32:50; Psa 90:3-7; Rom 11:22; Co1 10:5, Co1 10:6; Heb 3:17, Heb 3:18; Jde 1:5