Study notes

Numbers 26

Introducing NumbersWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

25:1–31:54 Section

Balak had worked together with the Midianites to try to stop the people of Israel. Their plan of having Balaam put a curse on the Israelites didn’t work. So Balaam gave them advice about how to trick the Israelites.

Israelite men committed sexual sins with women from Moab and Midian. Then they started worshipping a false god named Baal with these women. These things were wrong and God brought judgement against his people for doing them. God sent a plague against them at the place called Baal Peor.

Phinehas showed how committed he was to making sure that the Israelites honoured God. Later God brought judgement against the Midianites for tricking God’s people. The Israelite army attacked them and destroyed their towns. Balaam was killed.

The plague at Baal Peor marked an important time. It was when all the Israelites who had refused to enter Canaan had died. After this the people were counted for a second time. They also received more instructions from God about making offerings and special promises. Joshua was set apart and recognised as the leader after Moses. He and Eleazar would lead the people like Moses and Aaron had.

26:1–4

As in the first census, Moses and Eleazar directed the counting of the people. Eleazar had taken Aaron’s place as high priest.

They gave instructions to the tribal leaders about how to record the numbers of the men.

26:1–65

After nearly 40 years, Israel registered their men of military age again. This was while camping on the plains of Moab across from Jericho (compare chapters 1–4). The overall population changed only slightly, with 603,550 in the first registration and 601,730 in the second. This nearly complete replacement of the population showed that the Lord remained faithful to Israel despite their repeated acts of rebellion (26:63–65).

26:8–11

the line of Korah did not die out: See study note on 16:31–33 for more information.

26:33

The daughters of Zelophehad began an important change in Israel’s law (see 27:1–11; 36:1–12).

26:51

Despite wars, plagues, and punishments, God remained faithful to Israel. The number of male warriors decreased by 1,820 compared to the first count. This was a difference of 0.3 percent (compare 2:32).

26:52–56

The second registration, like the first, was for military purposes. It also helped distribute land to Israel's tribes based on their populations (see Joshua 15–19).
the land must be divided by lot: People used lots to seek guidance from God and prevent favoritism in important matters (for example, Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 10:20; 14:41–42; Proverbs 18:18; Acts 1:26).

26:57–61

The family of Kohath received special attention as the clan of Aaron, Moses, and Miriam.

26:62

Moses counted the Levites separately (compare 1:47–49; 3:14–39).
a month old or more: Compare 3:15.
The Levites did not receive a land allotment when the Israelites divided the land. Instead, they received 48 towns for their use, but no large territory as described in 26:52–56. (35:1–8; compare 18:23–24).

26:63–65

The numbers in this second registration describe a completely new generation of Hebrews. Everyone who had left Egypt had died in the wilderness except Caleb and Joshua.

Joshua became the leader of Israel after Moses (27:12–23; see “Joshua” Profile). Caleb also later played an important role in Israel’s history (see “Caleb” Profile).

Numbers 26 shows an important change. The earlier generation had lived under God’s judgment because of their unbelief (chapter 14). Now a new generation stood ready for the future, just as Balaam’s four prophecies had promised (chapters 23–24).

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources