Números 26

Números 26

Constable - Moses again counted the men 20 years of age and older in all the tribes except Levi as in the census taken just before Israel departed from Sinai (chs. 1–4). The primary purpose of this census was military, namely, to organize the nation for its battles with the Canaanites as well as with the Midianites. However a second important purpose was to discover the size of each tribe so Moses could allocate territory in the Promised Land proportionately (vv. 53–54). This list also had historical value for later generations enabling them to trace their genealogies. Notice that this is a list of families or clans, not individuals. The preservation of the nation is a monument to God’s faithfulness to His promises concerning Israel. Whoever is able to go out to war in Israel (Heb “everyone who goes out in the army in Israel”) - Nlt "List all the men twenty years old or older who are able to go to war." This is similar to mustering the army and indeed Israel would soon invade and take Jericho and then the other territories. Another reason for the census would be the division of the land "Among these (Nu 26:51 - These are those who were numbered of the sons of Israel, 601,730) the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.." (Nu 26:52-53)