Keraia
Numbers 26

Numbers 26:54

Inheritance by Lot · Numbers 26:52–56
Read Numbers 26

Translations

Modern
Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered.
Traditional
To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.
Literal
To the many you shall increase their inheritance, and to the few you shall diminish their inheritance; each according to their numbered shall be given its inheritance.
Latin
Pluribus majorem partem dabis, et paucioribus minorem: singulis, sicut nunc recensiti sunt, tradetur possessio:

Original

Hebrew
English
Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered.

Notes

Numbers 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).

Numbers 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).

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