52 God spoke to Moses: 53 "Divide up the inheritance of the land based on population. 54 A larger group gets a larger inheritance; a smaller group gets a smaller inheritance - each gets its inheritance based on the population count. 55 "Make sure that the land is assigned by lot. 56 "Each group's inheritance is based on population, the number of names listed in its ancestral tribe, divided among the many and the few by lot."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Numbers 26:52-56
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.