_A.M. 2552. B.C. 1452._ Orders for numbering the people, Numbers 26:1. Their families and number, Numbers 26:5. Directions for dividing the land between them, Numbers 26:52. The families and number of the Levites, Numbers 26:56. Notice taken of the death of them that were first numbered, Numbers 26... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take the sum of all the congregation_ They were numbered twice before, Exodus 30:11; Numbers 1:1. Now they are numbered a third time, to demonstrate the faithfulness of God, both in cutting all those off whom he had threatened to cut off, (Numbers 14:29,) and in a stupendous increase of the people,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Families_ The chief houses, which were subdivided into divers lesser families. _Forty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty_ Whereas, in their last numbering they were forty-six thousand five hundred; for Korah's conspiracy, as well as other provocations of theirs, had cut off many of them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Together with Korah_ These words seem to import that Korah was swallowed up with Dathan and Abiram. But it being more probable, as was observed on Numbers 16:32, that Korah was consumed by the _fire of God_ with those who offered incense, the words may be otherwise translated thus: _The earth swall... [ Continue Reading ]
_The children of Korah died not_ God being pleased to spare them, because they disowned their father's act, and separated themselves from his tent and company. Hence the sons of Korah are mentioned 1 Chronicles 6:22; 1 Chronicles 6:38, and often in the book of Psalms.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Jachim_ Called also Jarib, 1 Chronicles 4:24. And such names might be either added or changed upon some special occasion not recorded in Scripture.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Twenty-two thousand and two hundred_ No tribe decreased so much as Simeon's. From fifty-nine thousand and three hundred it sunk to twenty-two thousand and two hundred, little more than a third of what it was. One whole family of that tribe (Ohad, mentioned Exo 6:15) was extinct in the wilderness. S... [ Continue Reading ]
_Children of Gad_ Fewer by above five thousand than there were in their last numbering.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The families of Judah_ About two thousand more than they were, Numbers 1:27; whereas the foregoing tribes were all diminished.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Zelophehad had no sons, but daughters_ It is remarkable that in so many heads of families there was only one to whom no sons were born. To what other cause can this be ascribed but to a peculiar providence, whereby many more males than females were born, for the strength and increase of the Jewish... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fifty-two thousand seven hundred_ Whereas they were but thirty-two thousand and two hundred, in Numbers 1:35. So that they had increased twenty thousand and five hundred, according to the promise made to Joseph's posterity, Genesis 49:22.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sons of Ephraim_ Ephraim, though in future times a tribe flourishing much more than its brother-tribe Manasseh, (Deuteronomy 33:17,) was now, for some cause, it appears, upon the declension, their poll being decreased eight thousand. See Numbers 1:33. _The sons_ of _Benjamin_ When they went int... [ Continue Reading ]
_The sons of Dan_ Under the name of _sons_ his descendants are included, he having but one immediate son. But from him this tribe multiplied into very great divisions and subdivisions of families, and was now increased since the last poll seventeen hundred.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The families of the sons of Asher_ They had increased eleven thousand nine hundred since they were numbered last; but those of Napthali had decreased eight thousand. See Numbers 1:41; Numbers 1:43.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred_, &c. Very nigh as many as they were before, Numbers 1:46. So wisely and marvellously did God at the same time manifest his justice in cutting off so vast a number, his mercy in giving such a speedy and numerous supply, and his truth in both.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The land shall be divided_ The land was divided into nine parts and a half, respect being had in such division to the goodness as well as to the largeness of the several portions, and the lot gave each tribe their part. _Of names_ Of persons: the share of each tribe was divided among the several fa... [ Continue Reading ]
_By lot_ The quantity of land, it seems, was to be assigned according to the number in each tribe, but the situation was to be determined by lot, both as to the tribes and as to individuals. For instance, it was determined by lot which of the tribes were to inherit in the south, which in the north,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Between many and few_ The share that shall by lot fall to each tribe, shall be distributed to the several families and persons in such proportions as their numbers shall require.... [ Continue Reading ]
_There was not left a man_ Except of the Levites, who, not being guilty of that sin, did not partake of their judgment. _Save Caleb and Joshua_ Whom God promised to spare, in reward of their steady faith and piety.... [ Continue Reading ]