Annotations on the Pentateuch, Psalms, Song of Songs, Biblical commentary 4 · Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI.
1 The summe of all the men of Israel from twentie yeares old and upward, is taken in the plaines of Moab. 5. The families and numbers of Reuben. 12 Simeon. 15 Gad. 19 Iudah. 23 Issachar. 26 Zabulon. 29 Manasseh. 35 Ephraim. 38 Benjamin. 42 Dan. 44 Aser. 48 Nathtali. 51 The summe of them all. 52 The Law of dividing among them the inheritance of the land. 57 The families and number of the Levites. 62 The cause why they were not numbred among the Israeli…es. 63 None were left of them which were numbred at Sinai, but Caleh and Iosua.
ANd it was after the plague that Iehovah said unto Moses, and unto Eleazar, the sonne of Aaron the Priest, saying; Take ye the summe of all the congregation of the sonnes of Israel, from twentie yeares old and upward, according to the house of their fathers, every one that goeth forth with the armie in Israel. And Moses and Eleazar the Priest spake with them in the plains of Moab, by Iordan neere Iericho, saying; From twentie yeares old and upward, as Iehovah commanded Moses, and the sonnes of Israel which went forth out of the land of Egypt.
Reuben, the first-borne of Israel; the sons of Reuben, of Enoch, the familie of the Enochites; of Phallu, the familie of the Phalluites. Of Hezron, the familie of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the familie of the Carmites.
These are the families of the Reubenites, and they that were mustered of them were three and fortie thousand, and seven hundred and thirtie. And the sonnes of Phallu, Eliab. And the sonnes of Eliab, Nemuel, and Dathan and Abiram: this is that Dathan and Abiram, the called of the congregation, who strove against Moses, & against Aaron, in the congregation of Korah, when they strove against Iehovah. And the earth opened her mouth and swallowed up them, and Korah, when the congregation died; when the fire devoured two hundred and fiftie men, and they were for a signe. But the sonnes of Korah died not.
The sonnes of Simeon, according to their families; Of Nemuel, the familie of the Nemuelites; of Iamin, the familie of the Iaminites; of Iachin, the familie of the Iachinites.
Of Zerah, …he familie of the Zarhites; of Saul, the familie of the Saulites. These are the families of the Simeonites; two and twentie thousand, and two hundred.
The sonnes of Gad, according to their families; of Zephon, the familie of the Zephonites; of Haggi, the familie of the Haggites; of Suni, the familie of the Sunites. Of Ozni, the familie of the Oznites; Of Eri, the familie of the Erites. Of Arod, the familie of the Arodites; of Areli, the familie of the Arelites. These are the families of the sonnes of Gad, according to those that were mustered of them, fortie thousand and five hundred.
The sonnes of Iudah were Er and Onan: and Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. And the sonnes of Iudah, according to their families, were; of Selah, the familie of the Selanites; of Pharez, the familie of the Pharzites; of Zarah, the familie of the Zarhites. And the sonnes of Pharez were of Hezron, the familie of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the familie of the Hamulites. These are the families of Iudah, according to those that were mustered of them, seventie and six thousand, and five hundred.
The sonnes of Issachar, according to their families: of Thola, the familie of the Tholaites; of Phuva, the familie of the Phunites. Of Iashub, the familie of the Iashubites; of Simron, the familie of the Simronites. These are the families of Issachar, according to those that were mustered of them, sixtie and foure thousand, and three hundred.
The sonnes of Zabulon, according to their families; of Sered, the familie of the Sardites; of Elon, the familie of the Elonites; of Iahleel, the familie of the Iahleelites. These are the families of the Zabulonites, according to those that were mustered of them, sixtie thousand and five hundred.
The sons of Ioseph, according to their families, were Man esses and Ephraim. The sons of Manasses; of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir begat Gilead; of Gilead, the familie of the Gileadites. These are the sons of Gilead; of Ieezer, the familie of the Ieezerites: of Helek, the familie of the Helekites. And of Asriel, the familie of the Asrielites: and of Shechem, the familie of the Shechemites. And of Shemida, the familie of the Shemidaites; and of Hepher, the familie of the Hepherites. And Zelophehad the sonne of Hepher had no sonnes, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad, were Machlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These are the families of Manasses; and those that were mustered of them, two and fiftie thousand, and seven hundred.
These are the sonnes of Ephraim, according to their families: of Shuthelah, the familie of the Shuthalhites; of Becher, the familie of the Bachrites; of Tahan, the familie of the Tahanites. And these are the sonnes of Shuthelah: of Eran, the familie of the Eranites. These are the families of the sonnes of Ephraim, according to those that were mustered of them, two and thirtie thousand and five hundred; these are the sonnes of Ioseph, according to their families.
The sonnes of Benjamin, according to their families: of Bela, the familie of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the familie of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the familie of the Ahiramites. Of Shephupham, the familie of the Shuphamites; of Hupham, the familie of the Huphamites. And the sonnes of Bela were Ard and Naaman, the familie of the Ardites; of Naaman, the familie of the Naamites. These are the sonnes of Benjamin, according to their families, and those that were mustered of them, five and fortie thousand and six hundred.
These are the sonnes of Dan, according to their families; of Shuham, the familie of the Shuhamites: these are the families of Dan, according to their families. All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those that were mustered of them, sixty and foure thousand and foure hundred.
The sonnes of Aser, according to their families; of Iimnah, the familie of the Iimnaites; of Iisvi, the familie of the Iisvites; of Beriah, the familie of the Beriites. Of the sonnes of Beriah; of Cheber, the familie of the Chebrites; of Malchiel, the familie of the Malchielites. And the name of the daughter of Aser was Serah. These are the families of the sonnes of Aser, according to those that were mustered of them, three and fiftie thousand and foure hundred.
The sonnes of Naphtali, according to their families; of Iachzeel, the familie of the Iachzeelites; of Guni, the familie of the Gunites.
Of Iezer, the familie of the Iizrites: of Sillem, the familie of the Sillemites. These are the families of Naphtali, according to their families, and they that were mustered of them, five and fortie thousand and foure hundred.
These were the mustered of the sonnes of Israel; six hundred thousand, and a thousand seven hundred and thirtie.
And Iehovah spake unto Moses, saying;
VntoUnto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance, according to the number of names. To the many thou shalt give them the more inheritance, and to the few thou shalt give them the lesse inheritance: to every man according to those that were mustered of him, shall his inheritance be given. Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot; according to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. According to the lot, shall the inheritance thereof be divided betweene many and few.
And these are they that were mustered of the Levites, according to their families; of Gershon, the familie of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the familie of the Kohathites; of Merari, the familie of the Merarites. These are the families of the Levites, the familie of the Libnites, the familie of the Hebronites, the familie of the Mahlites, the familie of the Mushites, the familie of the Korachites: and Kohath begat Amram. And the name of Amrams wife was Iochebed the daughter of Levi, whom she bare to Levi in Egypt: and she bare unto Amram, Aaron and Moses, and Mary their sister. And unto Aaron was borne Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before Iehovah. And those that were mustered of them, were three and twentie thousand, all males, from a monethmonth old and upward, for they were not mustered among the sonnes of Israel, because there was no inheritance given to them among the sonnes of Israel.
These are they that were mustered by Moses and Eleazar the Priest, who mustered the sonnes of Israel in the plaines of Moab by Iordan, neere Iericho. And among these, there was not a man of those that were mustered by Moses and Aaron the Priest, who mustered the sonnes of Israel in the wildernesse of Sinai. For Iehovah had said of them, Dying they shall die in the wildernesse: and there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the sonne of Iephunneh, and Ioshua the sonne of Nun.
Annotations.
AFter the plague] after the death of the 24 thousand that perished for the sinne of Peor, (Num. 25. 9.) the Lord commandeth the people to be numbred, which should have inheritance in his land; to signifie his love and care of those that cleaved unto him, Deut. 4. 3, 4. The Hebrewes explaine it by the similitude of a shepherd, who when wolves have gotten among his flocke, and w…rried some of them, he counteth them, to know the number of those that are left. Againe; As when they came out of Egypt, and were delivered to Moses, they were delivered him by tale, (Exod. 38. 26.) so now when Moses was ready to die, and to deliver his flock again, he delivered them by tale. Sol. Iarchi on Num. 26. Eleazar] who now was high Priest after the death of Aaron his father, who had before numbred them with Moses, Num. 1. 3. And this Eleazar was he, who after with Iosua divided the land of Canaan to this people, Ios. 14. 1. &c.
Vers. 2. the summe] Hebr. the head; which the Chaldee expoundeth, the count, or summ…: see Exod. 30. 12. This was the third time that Israel was numbred for to fight the Lords battels agains… the Canaanites, and to receive their land for an inheritance. See the Annotations on Num. 1. 2. 20 yeares old] Hebr. sonne of twentie yeare: see Num. 1. 3. house] that is, as the Greeke explaineth it, houses of their fathers. Iarchi saith, they were reckoned by the tribe of the father, and not after the mother: So in Num. 1. 2. goeth forth with the armie] able to goe out to warre the warfare of the Lord: see the notes on Num. 1. 3.
Vers. 3. spake with them] in Chaldee, spake, and said to number them; but Targum Ionathan addeth, spake with the Princes, and said, to number them. So it accordeth with Num. 1. 4. plaines] or, champion countrey of Moab: see Num. 22. 1.
Vers. 4. From 20 yeares old] Hebr. from a sonne of 20 yeares; as vers. 2. and here is to be understood, the people are to be numbred, or the like.
Vers. 5. the first-borne] Reuben for this cause is here first numbred, as also in Num. 1. 5, 20. though he lost his dignity by his sinne, 1 Chron. 5. 1. and was put downe to the second quarter, as they encamped about the Sanctuarie, and marched towards Canaan, Num. 2. 10.—16. Enoch] in Hebr. Chanoch. see Gen. 5. 18. and 46. 9. of the Enochites] Hebr. of the Enochite, (or Chanochite) the singular number put for the plurall: so after thorowout this chapter. See the annotations on Gen. 10. 16. And here Reuben hath foure families, according to Gen. 46. 9. and 1 Chron. 5. 3.
Vers. 7. mustered] or numbred; Hebr. visited. See the notes on Num. 1. 3. 43 thousand, &c.] at the former muster they were 46 thousand and five hundred, Num. 1. 21. so they increased not, but decreased whiles they travelled in the wildernesse.
Vers. 9. the called] that is, renowned, famous: see Num. 1. 16. and 16. 1, 2. &c. strove] in Greeke, made insurrection: in Chaldee, gathered themselves together. This mutinie stirred by the chiefe of the tribe, seemeth to be one cause of their decrease by the hand of God against them.
Vers. 10. and Korah] that is, the men and goods that pertained unto Korah, as Num. 16 32. the congregation died] in Greeke, his congregation, meaning Korahs, as Num. 16. 40. 250 men] that offered incense, Num. 16. 35. for a signe] or, for an ensigne, a banner; the Greeke and Chaldee translate it, a signe: whereby God signified his anger to be displaied against all that should rebell in like manner. In Num. 16. 40. it is called A memoriall unto the sonnes of Israel, that no stranger, &c. come ne…re to offer incense before Iehovah; that he be not as Korah, &c. Of such things the Apostle saith, they were our examples, 1 Cor. 10. 6.
Vers. 11. died not] to wit, either by that fire, or by the swallowing up of the earth, Num. 16. 32. 35. It seemeth they consented not to their fathers rebellion, or at least repented at the warning given by Moses, Num. 16. 5. &c. The sons of Korah were Assir▪ and Elkanah, and Abjasaph, Exod 6. 24. these and their posteritie lived and kept their office in Israel; for their genealogie is reckoned in 1 Chron. 6. 22.—38. and they were appointed by David to be singers in the house of the Lord, 1 Chro. 6. 31. 32. and of them came Samuel the Prophet, 1 Chron. 6. 33, 34. compared with 1 Sam. 1. 20. and Heman, who with his off-spring were singers, 1 Chron. 6. 33. and 25. 4, 5, 6. And many Psalmes have in their titles, To the sonnes of Korah, as Psal. 42. and 44 and 45. and 46. and 47. and 48. and 49. and 84. and 85. and 87. and 88.
Vers. 12. Nemuel] called also Iemuel, in Gen. 46. 10. and Exod. 6. 15. in Greeke here, Namov…l. So in 1 Chron. 4. 24. Iachin] in Greeke, Achein: he is called Iarib, in 1 Chron. 4. 24.
Vers. 13. Zerah] in Greeke, Zara; so in 1 Chr. 4. 24. elsewhere called Zohar, Gen. 46. 10. Exod. 6. 15. Saul] the sonne of a Canaanitesse, Gen. 46. 10.
Vers. 14. These are the families] to wit, which remained: for there was one familie more of Obad, Gen. 46. 10 Exod. 6. 15. but that was extinct in the wildernesse, and therefore omitted here and in 1 Chron. 4. 24. … and 200.] their number was greatly diminished; for at the former muster, they were 59 thousand and 300, Num. 1. 23. Among other sinnes, that forementioned in Num. 25. 14. seemeth to be a speciall cause hereof. And Moses blessing all the other tribes before his death, maketh no expresse mention of Simeons, in Deut. 33.
Vers. 15. Gad] though hee was not the next borne to Simeon, nor of that mother, yet is he … stered in the third place, because hee was joyned with Reuben and Simeon in the South quarter, as they encamped about the Sanctuarie, Num. 2. 10. 14. Zephon] in Greeke, Sapho…, he was called also Ziphion. in Gen. 46. 16.
Vers. 16. Oz…i] in Greeke, Az…ni: in Gen. 46. 16. he is named Ezbo….
Vers. 17. Arod] in Greeke, Aroadi, and in Gen. 46 16. Arodi.
Vers. 18. and five hundred] so this tribe had fewer now by five thousand one hundred and fiftie men, than at the former muster, Num. 2. 15.
Vers. 19. and Onan died] both of them died without issue, God did cut them off for their wickednesse in their youth, Gen. 38. 7. 10.
Vers. 20. Selah] in Greeke, Selon.
Vers. 21. of Pharez] The sonnes of Iudah were five in all, Gen. 38. so noted by the holy Ghost, in 1 Chron. 2. 4. they were all to have beene heads of families; but two dying childlesse, here are taken two of his sonnes sonnes (H…zron and Hamul) in their stead; and these were of Pharez, (the second brother of the twinnes, Gen. 38. 28, 29.) of whom our Lord Christ came according to the flesh, Matth. 1. So Iudah hath five families continued, according to the number of his five sonnes.
Vers. 22. and six thousand] at the first muster he had but 74 thousand and six hundred, Num. 2. 4. now he is increased nineteene hundred mo…: and as he, so all the tribes under his standard were increased also; whereas in Reubens they were all diminished. For Iudah prevailed above his brethren, for the honour of Christ who was to come of his stocke: see 1 Chron. 5. 2. Gen. 49. 8.—10. Heb. 7. 14.
Vers. 23. Issachar] he is numbred next Iudah, for he was next him under his standard, Num. 2. 5. next him graved on the high Priests brest-plate, Exod. 28. borne next of the same mother Leah, Gen. 30. 17, 18. Of him and his foure families here reckoned, see the notes on Gen. 46. 13. Phuvah] called also Phuah, in 1 Chron. 7. 1. and so here in Greeke, Phova.
Vers. 24. Iashub] hee is called Iob, in Gen. 46. 13.
Vers. 25. 64 thousand] hee had before but 54 thousand and foure hundred, Num. 2. 6. so that his tribe is increased nine thousand and nine hundred men of warre.
Vers. 26. Zabulon] or Zebulun, hee was next brother to Issachar, Gen. 30. 19, 20. next him on Aarons brest-plate, Exod. 28. and next him in marching and camping about the Tabernacle, Num. 2. His three families continue here, as they were in Gen. 46. 14.
Vers. 27. sixtie thousand, &c.] who were before 57 thousand and foure hundred, Num. 2. 8. so they are increased three thousand and one hundred men.
Vers. 28. Ioseph] of him came two tribes, for hee had the first birth-right, a double portion, 1 Chron. 5. 2. Gen. 48. 1. 5.
Vers. 29. Manasses] he, though the elder brother, was put downe to the second place, by Iakobs prophesie, Gen. 48. 14. 19, 20. and by Gods disposition of the tribes, Num. 2. 18. 20. yet here hee is mustered before Ephraim the standard-bearer; as his armie was increased in the wildernesse, when Ephraims was diminished, which after doth appeare. Machir] he was the sonne of Manasses by his concubine an Aramitesse, 1 Chron. 7. 14. Gilead] in Greeke, Galaad. There was also a place called Gilead, which the sonnes of this Machir conquered, and had it for their possession, Num. 32. 39, 40. Ios. 17. 1.
Vers. 30. Ieezer] in Greeke, Achiezer: in Ios. 17. 2. Abiezer. Here not onelyonly the sonnes sonnes (as was noted before of Iudah, vers. 21.) but the sonnes sonnes sonnes are made heads of families in the tribe of Manasses: the like whereof is not in any other tribe. This honour hath Ioseph above his brethren; who also whiles he lived, saw unto Ephraim sonnes of the third generation: also the sonnes of Machir sonne of Manasses, were borne upon Iosephs knees, Gen. 50. 23. And Manasses here hath eight families, when no other tribe hath so many.
V. 33. Zelophehad] or Zelophehad, in Greek, S…lpa…d. the names] Hebr. the name. Machlah] in Greeke their names are written, Maala, Nova, Aigla, Melcha, and Thersa: Of these daughters, see Num. 27. 1. &c. Num. 36 11. Ios. 17. 3.
Vers. 34. 52 thousand, &c.] he had before but 32 thousand and 200. Num. 2. 21. so that now hee was increased 20 thousand and five hundred men of warre: none of all the other tribes had halfe so much increase. Thus Iakobs prophesie is fulfilled, Ioseph shall be the sonne of a fruitfull Uine, Gen. 49. 22.
Vers. 35. Shuthelah] in Greeke, Southala. Becher] this some thinke to be he which is called Bered, in 1 Chron. 7. 20. Tahan] or Tachan; in Greeke, Tanach, by transposition of letters.
Vers. 36. Eran] in 1 Chron. 7. 26. called Edan (or Laadan:) so the Greeke here writeth him Eden, for the likenesse of the Hebrew letters, whereof see the Annotations on Gen. 4. 18. and Num. 2. 14. Of this Eran (or Edan) came Iosua the sonne of Nun, 1 Chro. 7. 26, 27. And here Ephraims sonnes sonne is head of a familie, as was before in Iudahs tribe, vers. 21.
Vers. 37. 32 thousand, &c.] he had before 40 thousand, Num. 2. 19. so eight thousand of this tribe are now diminished.
Vers. 38. Bela] in Greeke, Bale: he was Benjamins first-borne, 1 Chron. 8. 1. Ashbel] called Iediael, 1 Chron. 7. 6. Benjamins second sonne, 1 Chron. 8. 1. The Greeke here writeth him As… ber, or as some copies have it, Asubel. Abiram] or, Achiram, in Greeke, Acheiran: elsewhere he is named Aechi, Gen. 46. 22. and Achrah the … sonne of Benjamin, 1 Chron. 8. 1.
Vers. 39. Shephupham] in Greeke, Sopha…, in 1 Chron. 7. 12. he is called S…uppim, in Gen. 46. 22. Muppim. Hupham] otherwise Huppim, Gen. 46. 22. 1 Chron. 7. 12.
Vers. 40. Ard] in Greeke, Ader: so in 1 Chro. 8. 3. the Hebrew writeth him Adar. the familie] understand (as the Greeke also supplieth) of Ard, the familie of the Ardites. Here Benjamin hath but seven families, who in Gen. 46. 21. had ten.
Vers. 41. 45 thousand, &c.] hee had before but 35 thousand and 400. Num. 2. 23. now his number is increased ten thousand and two hundred; that though his families were diminished, yet hee had the greatest increase of men of warre amongst all the tribes, save Manasseh and Aser.
Vers. 42. Shuham] or Shucham, called by transplacing of letters Hushim (or Chushim) in Gen. 46. 23. in Greeke, Same.
Vers. 43. 64 thousand, &c.] of one familie of Dan there sprang so many thousand men, that none of all the tribes save Iudah have the like multitude: and he is increased 17 hundred men moe than at the former numbring, Num. 2. 26.
Vers. 44. Iimnah] in Greeke, Iamein. …] in Greeke, I…sovi. Betweene these there was another called Iisvah, Gen. 46. 17. whose familie here omitted, seemeth to be perished.
Vers. 45. Cheber] or Heber, in Greeke, Cheber: of his posteritie, see 1 Chron. 7. 32. Here Asers sonnes sonnes are also heads of families, as were before in Iudah and Ephraim, vers. 21. and 36.
Vers 46. Serah] or Serach; in Greeke, Sara mentioned also in Gen. 46. 17. 1 Chron. 7. 30.
Vers. 47. 53 thousand, &c.] when before … had but 45 thousand and five hundred, Num. 2. 28. that his increase in the wildernesse was elev… thousand and nine hundred men of warre: none but Manasseh was before him.
Vers. 48. Naphtali] in Greeke, Naphthal…. Iachzeel] in Greeke, Asiel. The foure families of Napthtali continue, as in Gen. 46. 24.
Vers. 50. 45 thousand, &c.] wheras before he had been 53 thousand and 4 hundred, Num. 2. 30. so that eight thousand fewer are at the last than at the first.
Vers. 51. and a thousand, &c.] The number of all at the former count was 600 thousand, and three thousand, and 550, Num. 2. 32. so that now in the whole summe the host of Israel is decreased in their 38 yeares traveil, eighteene hundred and twentie men, exempting the Levites which were numbred apart. Wherein Gods worke for them all in generall, and for the tribes and families in particular is to be regarded. When they were under bondage and affliction in Egypt, they multiplied like fish, and filled the land, Exod. 1. (for outward persecution increaseth the Church, and lesseneth it not:) but when they were come out from that iron furnace, and carried of God as on Eagles wings, thorow the wildernesse in safetie, they so provoked him by their murmurings, rebellions, and idolatries, that he consumed their dayes in vanity, and their yeares in hastie terrour, Psal. 78. 17.—33. And though amongst other blessings, God give them his lawes to direct them, Exod. 20. &c. and his good spirit to instruct them, Neh. 9. 20. and led them like a flock, by the hand of Moses and Aaron, Psal. 77. 21. yet learned they not obedience, but mount Sinai gendred to bondage, Gal. 4. 24. and the Law wrought wrath, Rom. 4. 15. and Moses their Law-giver could not bring them into the promised land, but left that unto his successor Iesus the son of Nun, who figured Iesus the Sonne of God, by whom commeth grace and truth, and the inheritance of the Kingdome of heaven, Deut. 31. 2. 7. 14. Ioh. 1. 17. Rom. 6. 23.
The speciall hand of God touching the tribes, and the mothers that bare them, and the families and persons that proceeded of them, may thus be viewed:
Seven of the twelve tribes did increase in multitude as they travelled, besides the tribe of Levi, which also was a thousand at the last numbring moe than at the first, ver. 62.
1 Iudah increased 1900.
2 Issachar 9900.
3 Zabulon 3100.
4 Manasseh 20500.
5 Benjamin 10200.
6 Dan 1700.
7 Aser 11900.
The summe of all increased, was nine and fiftie thousand and two hundred, besides the thousand Levites. Notwithstanding the decrease of the five … was more: for
1 Reuben decreased 2770.
2 Simeon—37100.
3 Gad—5150.
4 Ephraim—8000.
5 Naphtali—8000.
So the summe of all that were diminished, was one and sixtie thousand and twentie men.
Observe also the worke of God in respect of Iakobs wives, the foure mothers of the tribes, Leah, R…el, Zilpah, and Bilhah, whom the holy Ghost mentioneth in Gen. 46. 15. 18, 19. 25.
1 Leah was multiplied
in Iudah 1900.
in Issachar 9900.
in Zabulon 3100.
So the fruit of Leahs body increased in the wildernesse, fourteene thousand and nine hundred, besides the thousand of Levi.
2 Rachel was multiplied
in Manasseh 20500.
in Benjamin 10200.
So Rachels increase was thirtie thousand and seven hundred.
3 Zilphah Leahs handmaid increased in her son Aser, eleven thousand and nine hundred.
4 Bilhah Rachels handmaid was multiplied in her son Dan seventeene hundred. Thus God unparted his blessing among them all, but chiefly to Rachel whom Iakob loved; for her increase was more than of all the other three.
They were likewise all of them partakers of his chastisements in their posteritie: for,
1 Leah was diminished in Reuben, 2770. in Simeon, 37100. so the lost of her increase in the wildernesse, nine and thirtie thousand eight hundred and seventie men.
2 Rachel was diminished in Ephraim, 8000.
3 Zilphah lost in Gad her sonne, five thousand one hundred and fiftie.
4 Bilhah lost in Naphtali, eight thousand men.
So the farre greatest losse was Leahs, who now might weepe for her children, because they were not, as long after befell unto Rachel, Mat. 2. 18.
Againe, as the twelve tribes camped in foure quarters about the tabernacle, Num 2. so the hand of God for the increase and diminishing of their campes may be seene thus:
In the first and chiefest quarter Eastward, were IVDAH, Issachar, and Zabulon, all increased. Iudah was the father and figure of Christ, under whose standard, all that camp & march are blessed.
In the second quarter Southward, were REVBEN, Simeon, and Gad, who were all diminished; as Reuben for his sin lost his honor and birthright, 1 Chro. 5. 1. so his sons rebelled, Num. 16. and Simeon sinned with an high hand, Num. 25.
In the third quarter Westward, were EPHRAIM, Manasseh, and Benjamin; of whom the first was diminished, the other two increased.
In the fourth quarter Northward, were DAN, Aser, and Naphtali; of whom the two former were multiplied, the third and last diminished.
Concerning the families of the tribes (excepting Levi) they are 57 in all. For here are families
1 Of Manasseh 8.
2 Of Benjamin 7.
3 Of Gad 7.
4 Of Simeon 5.
5 Of Iudah 5.
6 Of Aser 5.
7 Of Reuben 4.
8 Of Issachar 4.
9 Of Ephraim 4.
10 Of Naphtali 4.
11 Of Zabulon 3.
12 Of Dan 1.
The sum of all the families is 57: to whom if we adde the twelve tribes, and Iakob himselfe the father of them all, the whole number is Seventie, wch was the number of the soules of Iakobs house that went into Egypt, Gen. 46. 27. But comparing these now with the heads of families named in Gen. 46. we shall see five families rooted out; one of Simeon, Leahs son; one of Aser, the son of Leahs handmaid; and three of Benjamin, Rachels son; whose ten families are decayed unto seven. In these numbers, increase and decrease of the tribes and families of Israel, we may behold that wch lob saith of Gods works; Who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? in whose hand is the soule of every living thing, and the breath of all flesh of man. Behold he breaketh downe, and it cannot be built againe: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straitneth them, Iob 12. 9, 10. 14. 23.
Vers. 53. Unto these the land shall be divided] So the naturall sons of Israel onelyonly had inheritance; but under the Gospell it is prophesied, that the strangers also should have inheritance among the tribes; Ezek. 47. 22, 23. By this also it appeareth, that the tribes diminished had a double punishment, losse of men, and a lesser inheritance in the holy land: both which are opposed to the covenant and promise made to their fathers, wch stood on these two branches, multitude of children, and inheritance of the land, Gen. 12. 2. 7. and 13. 15, 16. and 15. 5. 8. 18. and 17. 2. 6. 8. and 22. 17. and 26. 3, 4. and 28. 13, 14. and 35. 11, 12. Sol. larchi here saith, To these and not to them that are lesse than twentie yeares old, although they came to full twentie before the division of the land. For loe the land was seven yeares in conquering, &c. yet none had portion in the land but these six hundred thousand, & one thousand: and if one of them had six sons, they received but their fathers portion onelyonly. But Chazkuni referreth it to the families, saying; To these the 57 families reckoned here, shall the land be divided for inheritance by the number of names, 57 portions according to the 57 heads of families. So it is written in Num. 33. 54. Ye shall divide the land by lot; for an inheritance among your families. This figured, that onelyonly such shall have their part in the kingdome of heaven, as are chosen and called of God, and have their names written in the lambs booke of life, Rom. 8. 28, 29, 30. 1 Pet. 1. 2, 3, 4. 5. Rev. 21. 27.
Vers. 54. To the many] To the tribe and familie wch hath many persons in it, Thou shalt give them the more (Hebr. thou shalt multiply his) inheritance. So the portions were not all equall in quantitie, but proportioned to the multitude of men in the tribes and families. To the tribes which had the greater multitudes, they gave the greater portion, though the portions were not equall: for lo every tribe had his portion according to his multitude; saith Sol. Iarchi on Num. 26. Hereupon the sons of Ioseph complained of their small portion in respect of their great multitude, Ios. 17. 14.
Vers. 55. by lot] Although Eleazar the high Priest, Iosua the governour, and 12 princes of the tribes, (appointed of God, Num. 34. 17, 18. &c.) were to divide the land; yet to cut off contention, and to shew the providence & disposition of God, according to the purpose of his will, hee commandeth lots to be cast; for, The lot causeth contention to cease, and parteth betweene the mightie, Prov. 18. 18. and, The lot is cast into the lap, but the Whole disposing thereof is of the LORD, Pro. 16. 33. And the Hebrew Doctors say, The portions were not made but by lot, and the lot was by the mouth of the holy Ghost. Sol. Iarchi on Num. 26. The manner of doing it was thus; First the land was by men divided into parts, according to the number of the tribes; as Iosua sent men to divide the land which remained into seven parts, and to describe it according to the inheritance of them, and so to bring the description unto him, that he might cast lots for them before the Lord. And they described it by cities, into seven parts, in a booke, and brought it to Iosua, who cast lots for them in Shiloh before the Lord; and so every tribe received as their lot came up, according to their families, Ios. 18. 4.—11. &c. Moreover, in the Hebrew records it is said, that it was not divided but by Vrim and Thummim, [which was the oracle of God in the brest-plate of the high Priest, Exo. 28. Num. 27. 21.] as it is said (in Num. 26. 56.) According to (or At the mouth of) the lot. When Eleazar was cloathed with Vrim and Thummim, & Iosua and all Israel stood before him, there was a Kalphi [a vessell whereinto the lots were put, whereof see the Annotations on Lev. 16. 8.] of the Tribes names, and a Kalphi of the names of the limits (or bounds of the countries) set before him; and hee being directed by the holy Ghost, said; Naphtali commeth up, the limit Genasareth commeth up: he tooke out of the Kalphi of the tribes, and Naphtali came up in his hand; out of the Kalphi of the limits, and the limit Genasareth came up in his hand. And so for every tribe. Talmud Bab. in Baba bathra, c. 8. in Gemara, and Sol. Iarchi on Num. 26. But observe that the land within lordan was divided onelyonly to nine tribes and an halfe, because two tribes & an halfe had their portion on the outside of Iordan, Num. 34. 13. 14, 15. By reason of this dividing the land by lot, the Scripture calleth inheritances by the name of Lets; as, Come up with me into my lot, Iudg. 1. 3. And not lands onelyonly, but whatsoever befalleth unto men frō the hand of God, is called a lot; as, This is the portion of them that spoile us, and the lot of them that rob us, Esay 17. 14. and, Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, Act. 8. 21. and, That they may receive forgivenesse of sins, and a lot (that is, inheritance) among them which are sanctified by faith, &c. Act. 26. 18. &, The part of the lot, (that is, of the inheritance) of the Saints, in light, Col. 1. 12. So that in the Greek, used by the Apostles, Cleros, a lot, and Cleronomia a division by lot, is the common name of an inheritance, 1 Pet. 5. 3. Ephes. 1. 14. 18.
Vers. 56. According to the lot] Hebr. At (or VponUpon) the mouth of the lot: as the lot (whereon the name of the tribe, or of the inheritance is written) shall speake. This lot being of the Lord, figured the diversities of gifts in the Church, which the Spirit of God divideth to every man severally … will, 1 Cor. 12. 4.—11. as also the dispensation of his graces concerning our heavenly inheritance, which the Election onelyonly obtaineth, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of workes, but of him that calleth, Rom. 11. 7. and 9. 11.
Vers. 57. of the Levites] who though they had no inheritance in the land, vers. 62. yet were they to have 48 cities and their suburbs for their habitation, Num. 35. which also fell unto them by lot, Ios. 21. 4. &c.
Vers. 58. Korachites] or, Korhites, of Korah the sonne of Izhar, the sonne of Kohath, the sonne of Levi, Num. 16. 1. Korah himselfe died in the rebellion, but his sonnes died not, Num. 26. 11. therefore they are reckoned here for a familie in the fourth generation from Levi, which is one degree further than the other families. And whereas in Exod. 6. 16. &c. there are reckoned of Gershon two sonnes, Libni and Shimei; here the familie of the Libnites is mustered, but Shimei left out. There Kohath hath foure sonnes, Amram, and Ishar, and Hebron, and Vzziel; here Vzziel is omitted; neither is Ishar named, but in his sonnes the Korhites.
Vers. 59. she bare to Levi] by she understand Levies wise, or Iochebeds mother: Sol. Iarchi expoundeth it, his wise bare her in Egypt. she bare to Amram] that is, Iochebed Amrams wife, (who was also his aunt) bare to Amram, Exo. 6. 20. Marie] Hebr. Mirjam: she was a prophetesse: see Exod. 15. 20. Num. 12. 1.
Vers. 60. unto Aaron was borne] Here Moses children, Gershon and Eliezer, are againe omitted: see the notes on Num. 3. 38.
Vers. 61. and Abihu died] and they had no sonnes, Num. 3. 4. See the historie in Levit. 10.
Vers. 62. 23 thousand] who at the former numbring were but 22 thousand, Num. 3. 39. So they increased in the wildernesse a thousand males.
Vers. 65. dying they shall die] i. they shall surely die: this was threatned for their rebellion, & refusing to go into the promised land, Nū. 14. and the fulfilling of Gods judgment is here shewed. and Iosoua] in Greeke, Iesus the son of Naue: these two survived, because they faithfully followed the Lord, Num. 14. 24. 38. See the Annotations there. In that, all the rest were dead save these two, it sheweth that all the 600 thousand men now mustered, which should conquer Canaan, were a valiant company, betweene 20 and 60 yeares of age, (none being above 60 but Caleb and Iosua;) and as they were in body, so in minde, being trained up these 38 yeares in the study of the Law and ordinances of God, and beholding his workes, having Moses and Aaron for their leaders, and Gods good spirit for their instructer, Neh. 9. 20.