33 And Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, had no sons, but only daughters, and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 34 These are the families of Manasseh; and those who were numbered of them were fifty-two thousand, seven hundred. 35 These are the sons of Ephraim by their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelahites: of Becher, the family of the Becherites: of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. 36 And these are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites: 37 These are the families of Ephraim as they were numbered, thirty-two thousand, five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph by their families. 38 The sons of Benjamin by their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites: of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites: of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites: 39 Of Shephupham, the family of the Shuphamites: and of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40 And the sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: of Ard, the family of the Ardites: of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41 These are the sons of Benjamin by their families: and those who were numbered of them were forty-five thousand, six hundred. 42 These are the sons of Dan by their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan by their families. 43 All the families of the Shuhamites, as they were numbered, were sixty-four thousand, four hundred. 44 The sons of Asher by their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites: of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites: of Beriah, the family of the Beriites. 45 Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites: of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites: 46 And the name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. 47 These are the families of the sons of Asher as they were numbered, fifty-three thousand, four hundred. 48 The sons of Naphtali by their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites: of Guni, the family of the Gunites: 49 Of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites: of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites. 50 These are the families of Naphtali by their families: and those who were numbered of them were forty-five thousand, four hundred. 51 Those who were numbered of the children of Israel were six hundred and one thousand, seven hundred and thirty.
52 And the Lord said to Moses, 53 Let there be a division of the land among these, for their heritage, in relation to the number of names. 54 To those families who are more in number, give a greater heritage; to those who are less in number, a smaller part: to every one let the heritage be given in relation to the number in his family. 55 But let the distribution of the land be made by the decision of the Lord: by the names of the tribes of their fathers let their heritage be given them. 56 As it is ordered by the decision of the Lord, let distribution be made between those who are more in number and those who are less.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 26:33-56
Commentary on Numbers 26:1-51
(Read Numbers 26:1-51)
Moses did not number the people but when God commanded him. We have here the families registered, as well as the tribes. The total was nearly the same as when numbered at mount Sinai. Notice is here taken of the children of Korah; they died not, as the children of Dathan and Abiram; they seem not to have joined even their own father in rebellion. If we partake not of the sins of sinners, we shall not partake of their plagues.
Commentary on Numbers 26:52-56
(Read Numbers 26:52-56)
In distributing these tribes, the general rule of equity is prescribed; that to many should be given more, and to fewer less. Though it seems left to the prudence of their prince, the matter at last must be settled by the providence of God, with which all must be satisfied.