Topical Bible: Israel: Number of, After the Plague

◄ Israel: Number of, After the Plague ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, the numbering of the Israelites after the plague is a significant event that occurs in the Book of Numbers, specifically in chapter 26. This census is conducted following a devastating plague that struck the Israelites as a result of their disobedience and idolatry, particularly in the incident involving the Moabite women and the worship of Baal of Peor (Numbers 25).

Context and Background

The census takes place during the Israelites' wilderness journey, as they are encamped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan River, across from Jericho. This is the second census recorded in the Book of Numbers, the first having been conducted at Mount Sinai (Numbers 1). The purpose of this second census is to account for the new generation of Israelites who will enter the Promised Land, as the previous generation had perished in the wilderness due to their rebellion against God (Numbers 14:29-35).

The Census

The command to take a census is given by the LORD to Moses and Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest. The directive is to count all the men of Israel who are twenty years old and upward, able to go to war (Numbers 26:1-2). This census serves both a military and an inheritance purpose, as it determines the division of the land among the tribes of Israel.

The results of the census are detailed in Numbers 26:5-51. The total number of men counted is 601,730. This number reflects the strength and readiness of the Israelite community to take possession of Canaan, despite the losses suffered due to the plague and previous judgments.

Tribal Numbers

The census lists the numbers for each tribe, highlighting the changes in population since the first census. Notably, some tribes experience significant growth, while others see a decrease. For example, the tribe of Judah remains the largest, with 76,500 men, while the tribe of Simeon sees a substantial decrease, numbering 22,200 men.

Significance

The census after the plague underscores God's faithfulness in preserving a remnant of His people despite their repeated failures. It also emphasizes the importance of obedience and holiness, as the new generation is prepared to enter the land promised to their forefathers. The census serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the necessity of divine grace and leadership.

Biblical Text

The Berean Standard Bible provides a clear account of this event. Numbers 26:1-2 states: "After the plague, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, 'Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by their families, all those twenty years old and upward who can serve in the army of Israel.'"

This passage sets the stage for the detailed enumeration that follows, highlighting the continuity of God's covenant promises despite the challenges faced by the Israelites in the wilderness.

Nave's Topical Index

Numbers 26:1
And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

In Process of Tithe, that is to Say, in the Tenth Generation after ...
... And after this there was born to him a son, Isaac ... twelve sons, from whom the twelve
tribes of Israel were named ... removed and dwelt in Egypt: and the number of all ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 24 in process of.htm

Joel's Rhapsody of the Locust Plague
... is come up upon my land, Strong, and without number; His teeth ... the like, neither
shall be any more after them, even ... that I am in the midst of Israel, and that ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/joels rhapsody of the locust.htm

Ninth Sunday after Trinity Carnal Security and Its vices.
... and leaders, the eminent of their number, individuals looked ... ISRAEL'S VICES IN THE
WILDERNESS PUNISHED. ... Paul here aptly explains as "lusting after evil things ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/ninth sunday after trinity carnal.htm

He Shows by the Example of victorinus that There is More Joy in ...
... said [that] the people willingly walked after his commandment ... Israel, and provoked
David to number Israel (1 Chronicles 21:1). He owed Israel a spite ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv he shows by the.htm

National Sins and Miseries
... In this, Joab was right; for after they were numbered, it is ... glorying not in God,
but in the number of his ... So "the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel, from the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 130 national sins and.htm

The Census of Israel
... of Israel in the wilderness two years after they had ... had not been for the great sin
of Israel at Kadesh ... When the conscript number shall be drawn we may escape ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/the census of israel.htm

On his Father'S Silence, Because of the Plague of Hail.
... One of the prophets, speaking of Israel, whose heart was ... approach of which we reckon
from the number of the ... After this, nay before it, show thyself, I pray, a ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xvi on his fathers.htm

The History of David
... David called Joab, and bade him number the people ... the country, and there were founden
in Israel eight hundred ... And after that the people was numbered, the heart ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the history of david.htm

The Ark among the Philistines
... send back the ark of the god of Israel, you must ... boils and five golden mice, the
same number as the ... The rulers of the Philistines also went after them as far ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the ark among the philistines.htm

Book 5 Footnotes
... here given by Josephus for the great plague mentioned in this chapter:""When thou
takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 5 footnotes.htm