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Numbers 26:1

KJV

And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,

Read it in context The Second Census of Israel
Start reading at Numbers 26:1 (Numbers 26:1 to Numbers 26:4). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. A new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.

  1. 26:1 And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
  2. 26:2 Take the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, throughout their fathers' house, all that are able to go to war in Israel.
  3. 26:3 And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
  4. 26:4 Take the sum of the people, from twenty years old and upward; as the LORD commanded Moses and the children of Israel, which went forth out of the land of Egypt.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: Numbers 26:1, Numbers 26:4, John 3:14, John 3:15, 1 Corinthians 10:6, 1 Corinthians 10:12

Who wrote it, and how we know

Moses (traditional) Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states that Moses wrote the record of the journeys at the LORD's command. Numbers 33:2
Early traditionJewish and Christian tradition names Moses.
What is debatedSource-critical theories propose later editing.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Time covered by Numbers

About 38 years
  1. Second year after the exodusBeginning · Numbers 1:1

    Israel is counted at Sinai

    The opening census is dated to the first day of the second month in the second year after leaving Egypt.
  2. Fortieth year after the exodusClosing wilderness period

    Israel prepares to enter the land

    Aaron’s death is dated to the fortieth year. The closing instructions are given on the plains of Moab before Israel crosses the Jordan.
The dated narrative moves from the second year toward the end of the fortieth year, an interval of roughly 38 years.
View historical notes and sources
This is an approximate span of the narrative, not an exact count of days and not the date when the book was written. Numbers 33:38 dates Aaron’s death; Numbers 36:13 identifies the closing setting. Deuteronomy 1:3 places Moses’ subsequent address in the fortieth year.

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

Macro-Structure of Numbers 26

Numbers follows Israel in the wilderness and toward the plains of Moab. The narrative moves from one numbered generation to another, combining events with commands for Israel. Distinguish the date of a narrated event from a proposed date of composition. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.

Numbers 1:1 Numbers 14:29 Numbers 26:64

The Second Census of Israel
Numbers 26:1–4 You are here · 26:1

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. A new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Reuben
Numbers 26:5–11

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Simeon
Numbers 26:12–14

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Gad
Numbers 26:15–18

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Judah
Numbers 26:19–22

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Issachar
Numbers 26:23–25

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Zebulun
Numbers 26:26–27

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Manasseh
Numbers 26:28–34

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Ephraim
Numbers 26:35–37

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Benjamin
Numbers 26:38–41

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Dan
Numbers 26:42–43

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Asher
Numbers 26:44–47

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Tribe of Naphtali
Numbers 26:48–51

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
Inheritance by Lot
Numbers 26:52–56

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
The Levites Numbered
Numbers 26:57–62

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeA new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation
Only Caleb and Joshua Remain
Numbers 26:63–65

FocusInheritance, leadership, offerings, and vows

Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. A new numbering and instructions prepare the people who will enter the land, including Joshua's appointment.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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