Translations
Original
Notes
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).
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).
People
Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt
Glossary
Allotment of the Land Census Desert Deuteronomy, Book of Eleazar Genealogy Inheritance Jericho Numbers, Book of
Topics
Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Return to the Plains of Moab: Third Numbering