A Help for the Understanding of the Holy Scriptures, Numbers · Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI.
Verſ. 2. TAke the ſumme of all the congregation of the children of Iſrael, &c.]
Of the two firſt numbrings of the people, ſee Exod. 30. 11, 12. and Numb. 1. 1, 2. But now the reaſons of this third numbring of the people, as we may gather by ſome paſſages, were theſe: firſt, becauſe this would make way to the more equall dividing of the land (which they were preſently to go about) according as they found the tribes more or leſſe in number; ſee verſ. 53, 54. Unto theſe the land ſhall be divided for an inheritance, according to the number of names, &c. ſecondly, to manifeſt how fully that which God had threatned, chap. 14. 29. was now accompliſhed, verſ. 64, 65. But among theſe there was not a man of them whom Moſes and Aaron the priest numbred, when they numbred the children of Iſrael in the wilderneſſe of Sinai. For the Lord had ſaid of them, They ſhall ſurely die in the wilderneſſe, &c. Happely all the old company were not dead till this laſt plague, wherein foure and twenty thouſand were cut off; and therefore it may ſeem expreſſely noted, ver. 1. that it was after the plague, that God gave this charge to Moſes and Eleazar for numbring the people, becauſe then God had exactly brought that to paſſe which he had long ſince threatned, as they ſhould now ſee in taking the number of the people: thirdly, to manifeſt Gods power and goodneſſe in preſerving unto them ſo many, notwithſtanding they had wandred ſo many years through a wilderneſſe wherein they were encountred with ſo many difficulties, and had ſo often by their ſinnes provoked God to cut off many amongſt them; as alſo his truth and faithfulneſſe, who had ſo wondrouſly increaſed them, as he promiſed their forefathers, notwithſtanding they had often by their rebellion provoked him to deſtroy them: & the more ſeaſonable it was to comfort them in this kind, becauſe it was immediately after foure and twenty thouſand had been taken away by the foregoing plague, chap. 25. fourthly, it was becauſe they ſhould hereby ſee Gods care over them, and love towards them; as Moſes at their coming out of Egypt received Gods flock by tale, ſo now before his death he muſt deliver them up by tale again.
Verſ. 4. Take the ſumme of the people from twenty years old and upward, as the Lord commanded Moſes, &c.]
That is, after the ſame manner as he commanded Moſes to number the people, when they were newly come out of Egypt, ſo hath he now again commanded to number them before their entring Canaan.
Verſ. 7. And they that were numbred of them▪ were fourtie and three thouſand and ſeven hundred and thirty.]
At their laſt numbring the Reubenites were fourty ſix thouſand and five hundred, chap. 1. ver. 21. ſo that this tribe was decreaſed two thouſand ſeven hundred and ſeventy, which may in part be aſcribed to the conſpiracy wherein they joyned with Korah.
Verſ. 10. And the earth opened her mouth, and ſwallowed them up together with Korah, &c.]
This place, according to our tranſlation, clears it beyond all exception, that Korah was ſwallowed up into the earth together with Dathan & Abiram, ch. 16.
And they became a ſigne.]
That is, for an example that others might take warning by them, as ſea-marks are ſet up to give us warning of danger, 1. Cor. 10. 6. Now theſe things were our examples▪ to the intent we ſhould not luſt after evil things as they alſo lusted.
Verſ. 11. Notwithſtanding the children of Korah died not.]
To wit, Aſſur, and Elkanah, and Abiaſaph, Exod. 6. 24. theſe and their poſterity lived and kept their office in Iſrael; for their genealogie is reckoned, 1. Chron. 6. 22▪ 28. and frequent honourable mention is made of the ſonnes of Korah, both in the Pſalmes and elſewhere. Some think they were miraculouſly preſerved, being preſent among thoſe that were ſwallowed up: I rather think they were not with Korah in his tent, but were happely at that time imployed in the tabernacle, and ſo eſcaped; and it may be alſo they conſented not to their fathers rebellion, or at leaſt repented upon the warning given by Moſes, Numb. 16. 5.
Verſ. 12. The ſonnes of Simeon after their families, of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites, &c.]
Theſe ſons of Simeon are elſewhere otherwiſe named, as Nemuel is called alſo Jemuel, Gen. 46. 10. Exod. 6. 15. and Jachin is called Jarib, 1. Chron. 4. 24. and Zerah is called Zohar, Gen. 46. 10. Exod. 6. 15. Beſides theſe there was one ſonne of Simeon more, to wit, Ohad, whoſe family it ſeems was wholly extinct in the wilderneſſe; for though he be mentioned, Gen. 46, 10. yet not here, nor 1. Chr. 4. 24.
Verſ. 14. Theſe are the families of the Simeonites, twenty and two thouſand and two hundred.]
None of the tribes was ſo abated as this of Simeon: when they went out of Egypt they were fifty nine thouſand and three hundred, chap. 1. 22. now but two and twenty thouſand and two hundred; ſo they were abated in number thirty ſeven thouſand and one hundred, more then half of that they were when they came out of Egypt. The impudency and puniſhment of Zimri, chap. 25. 14. who was a Prince of this tribe, and may be probably thought to have been accompanied and abetted by many of his brethren, is conceived to be one cauſe of the low ebbe of this tribe, becauſe it is like many of them periſhed in the laſt plague together with Zimri.
Verſ. 15. The children of Gad after their families, of Zephon the family of the Zephonites, &c.]
Gad is next muſtered, becauſe he was joyned with Reuben and Simeon in the South-quarter, chap. 2. 10, 14. His ſonne Zephon is elſewhere called Zeph…on, Gen. 46. 16. and ſo is Ozni, verſ. 16. called Ezbon, Gen. 46. 16. and Arod, verſ. 17. Arodi, Gen. 46. 16.
Verſ. 18. Theſe are the families of the children of Gad, according to thoſe that were numbred of them, fourty thouſand and five hundred.]
At the former muſtering the Gadites were fourty five thouſand ſix hundred and fifty, chap. 1. 25. now fourty thouſand and five hundred; ſo they were fewer now by five thouſand one hundred & fiftie: and thus all the tribes under Reubens ſtandard being greatly diminiſhed, there were now fourty five thouſand & twenty leſſe then when they were firſt numbred.
Verſ. 19. And Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.]
This is added to ſet forth the power and goodneſſe of God in the encreaſe of this tribe of Judah, notwithſtanding theſe two of his ſonnes were cut off by the hand of God.
Verſ. 21. And the ſonnes of Pharez, of Heſron, the familie of the Heſronites, &c.]
Judah had five ſonnes▪ Gen. 38. which ſhould have been all heads of families: But two of them dying childleſſe, two of his ſonnes ſonnes (and thoſe of Pharez, the younger brother, but the anceſtour of Chriſt) are taken in in their room.
Verſ. 22. Theſe are the families of Judah, according to thoſe that were numbred of them, threeſcore and ſixteen thouſand and five hundred.]
At the former numbring, thoſe of the tribe of Judah were but ſeventy foure thouſand and ſix hundred, chap. 1. 27. now they are ſeventy ſix thouſand and five hundred, and ſo are encreaſed nineteen hundred more; and as he, ſo all the tribes under his ſtandard were …n…reaſed alſo, and thus Judah prevailed above all his brethren, Gen. 49. 8.
Verſ. 23. Of Pua, the family of the Punites, &c.]
This Pua was alſo calle… Phunah, Gen. 46. 13. and Jaſhub verſ. 24. was alſo called Job, Gen. 46. 13.
Verſ. 25. Theſe are the families of Iſſachar, according to thoſe that were numbred of them, threeſcore and foure thouſand and three hundred.]
Of this tribe there were before but fifty foure thouſand and foure hundred, chap. 1. 29. now there are ſixty foure thouſand and three hundred, ſo that they were now encreaſed nine thouſand and nine hundred men of warre.
Verſ. 27. Theſe are the families of the Zebulunites, according to thoſe that were numbred of them, threeſcore thouſand and five hundred.]
Who were before but fifty ſeven thouſand and foure hundred, chap. 1. 31. ſo they are encreaſed three thouſand and a hundred men. Now adding together one thouſand and nine hundred, the encreaſe of Judahs tribe, and nine thouſand nine hundred, the encreaſe of Iſſachars tribe; and three thouſand and a hundred, the encreaſe of Zebuluns tribe, we find that Judahs camp was encreaſed foureteen thouſand and nine hundred.
Verſ. 29. Of the ſonnes of Manaſſeh, of Machir the familie of the Machirites, &c.]
Many Expoſitours hold that Machir had no other ſonne but …ilead, and ſo thereupon they ſay, that the ſame family was called promiſcuouſly the familie of the Machirites, and, the familie of the Gileadites. But by this place it is evident that beſides the poſterity of Machir by his ſonne Gilead, who are here called the familie of the Gileadites, he had alſo a poſterity by other ſonnes, who were called by his own name, the familie of the Machirites, as indeed we reade of children that Machir had brought up upon Joſephs knees Gen. 50. 23. and 1. Chron. 7. 16. Pereſh and Shereſh are ſaid to be the ſonnes of Machir by Maachah his wife.
Verſ. 30. Of Jeezer, the familie of the Jeezerites.]
Joſh. 17. 2. he is called Abiezer: even the ſonnes ſonnes ſonnes here were heads of families.
Verſ. 34. Theſe are the families of Manaſſeh, and thoſe that were numbred of them, fifty and two thouſand and ſeven hundred.]
Before they were but thirty two thouſand and two hundred, chap. 1. 35. now fifty two thouſand and ſeven hundred, ſo they were encreaſed twenty thouſand and five hundred men of warre▪ none of the other tribes had half ſo much encreaſe.
Verſ. 35. Of Becher, the familie of the B…hrites▪ &c.]
This, ſome think, is the …me that is called Berod, 1. Chron. 7. 20. as he alſo that is called Eran, verſ. 36. in 1. Chron. 7. 20. is called Laadan, who was Ephraims ſonnes ſonne, but yet was head of a family.
Verſ. 37. Theſe are the families of the ſonnes of Ephraim, according to thoſe that were numbred of them, thirtie and two thouſand and five hundred.]
He had before, chap. 1. 33. fourty thouſand and five hundred; ſo eight thouſand of this tribe were …iminiſhed.
Verſ. 38. Of Aſhbel the father of the Aſhbelites, &c.]
This Aſhbel is called Jediael 1. Chron. 7. 6. and Ahiram, Ehi, Gen 46. 21. and Aharah 1. Chron. 8. 1. and Shupham verſ. 39. is called Shuppim, 1. Chron. 7. 12. and Muppim, Gen. 46. 21. and Hupham, Huppim, Gen 46. 21. and A…d verſ. 40. is called Addar, 1. Chron. 8. 3.
Verſ. 41. Theſe are the ſonnes of Benjamin after their families, and they that were numbred of them were fourtie and five thouſand and ſix hundred.]
Gen. 46. 21. we find ten ſonnes of Benjamin; but here are reckoned but five families of his ſonnes, and two of his ſonnes ſonnes: he had before but thirty five thouſand & foure hundred, ſo that now they were encreaſed ten thouſand and two hundred, though their families were (it ſeems) diminiſhed in the wilderneſſe: and thus though one of the tribes under Ephraims ſtandard were fewer then before, to wit, his own tribe, yet his whole camp, by reaſon of the great encreaſe of the other two tribes joyned with him, was augmented two and twenty thouſand and ſeven hundred.
Verſ. 42. Of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites.]
This Shuham is called Huſhim, Gen. 46. 26.
Theſe are the families of Dan after their families.]
See Gen. 46. 23.
Verſ. 43. All the families of the Shuhamites, according to thoſe that were numbred of them, were threeſcore and foure thouſand and foure hundred.]
At the former muſter the Danites were but ſixty two thouſand and ſeven hundred▪ chap. 1. 39. but are now encreaſed ſeventeen hundred more; though there were but one familie in this tribe, yet none of all the tribes ſave Judah have the like multitude.
Verſ. 44. Of Jeſui▪ the familie of the Jeſuites, &c.]
This Jeſ…i is called Iſu…, Gen. 46. 17. Between him and Jimnah there was another called Iſhuah, Gen. 46. 17. whoſe family, here omitted, ſeemeth to be periſhed.
Verſ. 46. And the name of the daughter of Aſher was Sarah.]
This Sarah is mentioned alſo Gen. 46. 17. and 1. Chron. 7. 30. as being famous it ſeems in her time.
Verſ. 47. Theſe are the families of the ſonnes of Aſher according to thoſe that were numbred of them, who were fifty and three thouſand and foure hundred.]
Whereas before he had but fourty one thouſand and five hundred, chap. 1. 41. and ſo is encreaſed eleven thouſand and nine hundred.
Verſ. 50. Theſe are the families of Naphtali according to their families▪ and they that were numbred of them were fourtie and five thouſand and foure hundred.]
At the former numbring theſe were fifty three thouſand and foure hundred, chap. 1. 41. now but fourty five thouſand and foure hundred, eight thouſand fewer then before; though this tribe under Dans ſtandard were diminiſhed, yet was Dans whole camp encreaſed five thouſand and ſix hundred men of warre.
Verſ. 51. Theſe were the numbred of the children of Iſrael, ſix hundred thouſand and a thouſand ſeven hundred and thirty.]
The totall ſome of the firſt numbring was ſix hundred and th…ee thouſand five hundred and fifty, chap. 1. 46. whereas now it is but ſix hundred and one thouſand ſeven hundred and thirty. So that though Judahs, Ephraims, and Dans camps were all more in number then when firſt they came into the wilderneſſe, yet by reaſon of the great decreaſe of Reubens camp, which was fourty five thouſand and twenty fewer then before, the totall here is leſſe then the totall there by eighteen hundred and twenty.
Verſ. 53. Unto theſe the land ſhall be divided for an inheritance, &c.]
Gods enjoyning them to divide the land before they had conquered it, was to aſſure them that it ſhould be theirs, to teach them to live by faith, and before they had it to make as ſure of it as if it were already in their poſſeſſion. And may not we then be ſure of heaven before we have it?
Verſ. 55. Notwithstanding the land ſhall be divided by lot.]
That is, they were to divide the land into ſo many ſeverall coaſts or provinces, according to the number of the tribes that were to inhabit it, yet ſo as the certain bounds and limits of each portion were not appointed and reſolved on till they knew which tribe the Lord would chooſe to plant there (which was determined by lots) and then they enlarged or leſſened the portion according to the number of the tribe that was there to be ſeated. Had they not been thus ſeverally aſsigned by lot to that which God would have to be the place of their habitation, every one would have choſen the beſt, or ſafeſt, or healthfulleſt places of the land, whereas now all diſſention was prevented, and they were taught to acknowledge God the chief Lord of the land, by whoſe immediate providence they were diſpoſed of to thoſe dwellings: on the other ſide, had they had the exact meaſure of their portions aſſigned them by lot, it had not been lawfull for them to alter that which God had done, as we ſee it was; for out of that which was at firſt given to Judah alone, afterwards two tribes had their lots, Joſh. 19. 4.—40. to wit, Simeon and Dan.
According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they ſhall inherit.]
That is, the lots ſhall go under the names of the Patriarchs, one for Reuben, another for Simeon, another for Gad, &c.
Verſ. 56. According to the lot ſhall the poſſeſſion thereof be divided between many and few.]
That is, having by lot determined where every tribe ſhall have their poſſeſſion, ye ſhall then aſsigne unto every tribe, in that part of the land where their lot fell, ſuch a quantity of land as by the rules of equall proportión ſh…ll be found due to them, according as they are in number more or …ewer.
Verſ. 57. And th…ſe are they that were numbred of the Levites, &c.]
The Levites are numbred by themſelves, becauſe they were to have no ſhare in the land, verſ. 62. They were not numbred among the children of Iſrael, becauſe there was no inheritance given them amongst the children of Iſrael.
Verſ. 58. Theſe are the families of the Levites the family of the Libnites; &c.]
The family of the Libnites was of Libni the ſonne of Gerſhon, Exod. 6. 17. and ſo Shimi the other ſonne of Gerſhon is not here mentioned. Thus likewiſe that of the Hebronites was of Hebron the ſonne of Kohath, Exod▪ 6. 18. and his other brethren are not here mentioned as heads of families (though Amram be named as the father of Moſes) and thoſe of the Mahlites and Muſhites were of Mahali and Muſhi the ſonnes of Merari, Exod. 6. 19. and that of the Korathites of Korah, Num. 16. 1.
Verſ. 59. And the name of Amrams wife was Jochebed, &c.]
See the note upon Exod. 2. 1.
Verſ. 62. And thoſe that were numbred of them were twenty and three thouſand, &c.]
At the former numbring the Levites were but two and twenty thouſand, chap. 3. 39. now they were a thouſand more.
Verſ. 65. And there was not left a man of them ſave Caleb the ſonne of Jephunneh, and Joſhua the ſonne of Nun.]
That is, as God had threatned▪ ſo it was now found to be; of the people that were numbred at their coming out of Egypt from twenty years old and upward, there was not a man left at this time when they were numbred again▪ but onelyonly Caleb and Joſhua. So that we muſt obſerve that the Levites are not here included, for of them there were left Moſes, and Eleazar, and Ithamar, and perhaps many others.