33 And Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but daughters, and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad 'are' Mahlah, and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 34 These 'are' families of Manasseh, and their numbered ones 'are' two and fifty thousand and seven hundred. 35 These 'are' sons of Ephraim by their families: of Shuthelah 'is' the family of the Shuthelhite; of Becher the family of the Bachrite; of Tahan the family of the Tahanite. 36 And these 'are' sons of Shuthelah: of Eran the family of the Eranite. 37 These 'are' families of the sons of Ephraim, by their numbered ones, two and thirty thousand and five hundred. These 'are' sons of Joseph by their families. 38 Sons of Benjamin by their families: of Bela 'is' the family of the Belaite; of Ashbel the family of the Ashbelite; of Ahiram the family of the Ahiramite; 39 of Shupham the family of the Shuphamite; of Hupham the family of the Huphamite. 40 And sons of Bela are Ard and Naaman: 'of Ard is' the family of the Ardite: of Naaman the family of the Naamite. 41 These 'are' sons of Benjamin by their families, and their numbered ones 'are' five and forty thousand and six hundred. 42 These 'are' sons of Dan by their families: of Shuham 'is' the family of the Shuhamite; these 'are' families of Dan by their families; 43 all the families of the Shuhamite, by their numbered ones, 'are' four and sixty thousand and four hundred. 44 Sons of Asher by their families: of Jimna 'is' the family of the Jimnite; of Jesui the family of the Jesuite; of Beriah the family of the Beriite. 45 Of sons of Beriah: of Heber 'is' the family of the Heberite; of Malchiel the family of the Malchielite. 46 And the name of the daughter of Asher 'is' Sarah. 47 These 'are' families of the sons of Asher, by their numbered ones, three and fifty thousand and four hundred. 48 Sons of Naphtali by their families: of Jahzeel 'is' the family of the Jahzeelite; of Guni the family of the Gunite; 49 of Jezer the family of the Jezerite; of Shillem the family of the Shillemite. 50 These 'are' families of Naphtali by their families, and their numbered ones 'are' five and forty thousand and four hundred. 51 These 'are' numbered ones of the sons of Israel, six hundred thousand, and a thousand, seven hundred and thirty.
52 And Jehovah speaketh unto Moses, saying, 53 'To these is the land apportioned by inheritance, by the number of names; 54 to the many thou dost increase their inheritance, and to the few thou dost diminish their inheritance; 'to' each according to his numbered ones is given his inheritance. 55 'Only by lot is the land apportioned, by the names of the tribes of their fathers they inherit; 56 according to the lot is their inheritance apportioned between many and few.'
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.