Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Numbers 26:51
These [were] the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
This shows a decrease of 1,820 from the number at Sinai; a decrease due to the recent plague.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 51. These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.] The following comparative statement will show how much some of the tribes had increased, and others had diminished, since the enumeration in Nu 1:2, c.
| | Now | Before | | |
| Reuben | 43,730 | 46,500 | 2,770 | decrease |
| Simeon | 22,200 | 59,300 | 37,100 | decrease |
| Gad | 40,500 | 45,650 | 5,150 | decrease |
| Judah | 76,500 | 74,600 | 1,900 | increase |
| Issachar | 64,300 | 54,400 | 9,900 | increase |
| Zebulun | 60,500 | 57,400 | 3,100 | increase |
| Manasseh | 52,700 | 32,200 | 20,500 | increase |
| Ephraim | 32,500 | 40,500 | 8,000 | decrease |
| Benjamin | 45,600 | 35,400 | 10,200 | increase |
| Dan | 64,400 | 62,700 | 1,700 | increase |
| Asher | 53,400 | 41,500 | 11,900 | increase |
| Naphtali | 45,400 | 53,400 | 8,000 | decrease |
| Total | 601,730 | 603,550 | 1,820 | decrease on the whole, in 38 years. |
| Decrease in all, 61,020. | Increase in all, 59,200. | |||
Let it be observed,
1. That among these there was not a man of the former census, save Joshua and Caleb, see Nu 26:64-65.
2. That though there was an increase in seven tribes of not less than 74,800 men, yet so great was the decrease in the other five tribes, that the balance against the present census is 1,820, as appears above: thus we find that there was an in crease of 601,728 from 603,550 in the space of thirty-eight years.
Notwithstanding the amazing increase in some and decrease in other tribes, the same sort of proportion is preserved in the east, west, north, and south divisions, as before so as to keep the division of Judah, which was always in the front or van, the largest; and the division of Dan, which was always in the rear, the next in number. But it is worthy of remark that as they are now, properly speaking, to commence their grand military operations, so their front, or advanced division, is increased from 186,400 to 201,300; and their rear from 157,600 to 163,200. The first division is strengthened 14,900 men, and the last division 5,600 men. The reasons for this are sufficiently obvious.
Mr. Ainsworth has a curious remark on the number of families in the 12 tribes. “Here are families
| | | ||
| 1. Of Manasseh | 8 | 7. Of Reuben | 4 |
| 2. Of Benjamin | 7 | 8. Of Issachar | 4 |
| 3. Of Gad | 7 | 9. Of Ephraim | 4 |
| 4. Of Simeon | 5 | 10. Of Naphtali | 4 |
| 5. Of Judah | 5 | 11. Of Zebulun | 3 |
| 6. Of Asher | 5 | 12. Of Dan | 1 |
“In all 57; to whom if we add the 12 patriarchs, and Jacob their father, the whole number is 70, the exact number of the souls in Jacob’s house that went down to Egypt, Ge 46:27.” In a variety of things in this ancient economy there is a most surprising proportion kept up, which never could have been a fortuitous effect of general causes. But proportion, harmony, and order distinguish all the works of God, both in the natural and moral world.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Very nigh as many as there were before, Num 1:46. So wisely and marvellously did God at the same time manifest his justice in cutting off so vast a number, and his mercy in giving such a speedy and numerous supply, and his truth in both.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
These were the numbered of the children of Israel,…. The twelve tribes, consisting of so many families, as above named; and the sum total of persons in them of twenty years old and upwards, and fit for war, was
six hundred and one thousand and seven hundred and thirty; so that though all those that were numbered thirty years ago were now dead, excepting Joshua and Caleb, yet there wanted but 1820 of that number; so mindful was the Lord of his promise, and so faithful to keep it, notwithstanding the provocations of these people, to increase and multiply them, that they had pretty near the number to go into the land of Canaan which they had when they came out of Egypt.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
51. These are the numbered of the children of Israel. By this sum total, what I have above adverted to is more clearly shewn, that amidst so many losses, and especially after the terrible vengeance which God had recently executed, the race of Abraham was preserved in an incredible manner, so that the fulfillment of the promise might not be brought about only towards a small body of persons. Nature itself and reason would have suggested that a few only should enjoy the promised land; but if the inheritance had been restricted to a small number of men, God’s promise would have lain, as it were, in obscurity and concealment. Yet within thirty-eight years, during which more than 603,000 men had fallen, God marvellously brought it to pass that the same number of persons should still remain, some 2500 only excepted. Assuredly they must be blind four times over, as it were, who do not behold in this bright mirror God’s wonderful providence, and the faithfulness of His gratuitous adoption, and His steadfastness in keeping His promises. At the same time, that which I have already referred to in Deuteronomy clearly appears, that those who survived, were strikingly admonished by this great loss, that they should not fall away at any time into superstition.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(51) Six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.The sum total exhibits a decrease of 1,820, as compared with the census taken at Sinai thirty-eight years previously. On this decrease Bishop Wordsworth observes as follows:When the Israelites were suffering persecution in Egypt they multiplied exceedingly (Exo. 1:7; Exo. 1:20); but after their deliverance from Egypt they rebelled against God, and He consumed their days in vanity, and their years in trouble (Psa. 78:33). . . . Here there is comfort and warning to the Church and every soul in itcomfort in time of affliction, and warning in days of prosperity.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
51. These were the numbered The results of the two enumerations are tabulated by tribes and in their totals in chap. Num 1:21, note. The decrease was caused in part by the judgments of Jehovah sweeping off thousands at a stroke, (Num 11:1-3; Num 11:33-35; Num 16:31-35; Num 16:49; Num 25:9,) and partly by hardships endured while under the sentence of exclusion from Canaan. Num 14:32-33.
Reuben 2,770 decrease. Simeon 37,100 decrease. Gad 5,150 decrease. Judah 1,900 increase. Issachar 9,900 increase. Zebulun 3,100 increase. Manasseh 20,500 increase. Ephraim 8,000 decrease. Benjamin 10,200 increase. Dan 1,700 increase. Asher 11,900 increase. Naphtali 8,000 decrease. Total decrease 61,020 Total increase 59,200 Decrease on the whole 1,820
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Num 26:51. Six hundred thousand, &c. Thus, notwithstanding the accidents that befel them in the desart, and the plagues justly inflicted upon the preceding generation, the Israelites, upon a balance of increase and decrease of all the full-grown males since the last register, appear to be nearly as numerous as then. See chap. Num 1:46. It is to be observed, however, that, in the poll, some odd numbers seem to be omitted, it being not likely that, in so many tribes, there were precisely so many round hundreds, and not so much as one over; yet this is the case of all of them except Reuben. See Num 26:7.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
The total number, accomplishing the command, Num 26:2.
six hundred, &c. = 601,730. In =Num 2:32603; Num 2:550, total decrease 1,820. In Egypt they increased like fishes, Exo 1:7, now they decrease.
Compare Psa 78:17-33. Seven tribes increased (Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Manasseh, Benjamin, Dan, Asher), total 59,200, beside the 1,000 Levites. Five tribes decreased (Reuben, Simeon, Gad, Ephraim, and Naphtali), total 61,020.
LEAH, increase: in Judah 1900, Issachar 9,900, Zebulun 3,100, Levi 1,000; and decrease in Reuben 2,770, Simeon 37,100. Total decrease 23,970.
RACHEL, increase: in Manasseh 20,500, Benjamin 10,200; and decrease in Ephraim 8,000; total increase 22,700.
ZILPAH, increase: in Asher 11,900; and decrease in Gad 5,150; total increase 6,750.
BILHAH, increase: in Dan 1,700; and decrease in Naphtali 8,000; total decrease 6,300.
So, in the four camps: East camp, all increased; South camp, all decreased; West camp, Benjamin and Manasseh increased, Ephraim decreased; North camp, Dan and Asher increased, Naphtali decreased. On the whole, compare Job 12:9, Job 12:10, Job 12:14, Job 12:23.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
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:
TribeNowBeforeChange+ / –
1. Judah76,50074,6001,900increase
2. Dan64,40062,7001,700increase
3. Simeon22,20059,30037,100decrease
4. Zebulun60,50057,4003,100increase
5. Issachar64,30054,4009,900increase
6. Naphtali45,40053,4008,000decrease
7. Reuben43,73046,5002,770decrease
8. Gad40,50045,6505,150decrease
9. Asher53,40041,50011,900increase
10. Ephraim32,50040,5008,000decrease
11. Benjamin45,60035,40010,200increase
12. Manasseh52,70032,20020,500increase
Totals:601,730603,550
Decreases61,020
Increases59,200
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
Reciprocal: Deu 10:22 – as the stars Jdg 20:17 – four hundred
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Num 26:51. Six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred, &c. Very nigh as many as they were before, Num 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.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
26:51 These [were] the {f} numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
(f) This is the third time that they are numbered.