33 Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons, only daughters. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 34 These were the clans of Manasseh. They numbered 52,700. 35 The sons of Ephraim by clans: Shuthelah and the Shuthelahite clan, Beker and the Bekerite clan, Tahan and the Tahanite clan. 36 The sons of Shuthelah: Eran and the Eranite clan. 37 These were the clans of Ephraim. They numbered 32,500. These are all the sons of Joseph by their clans. 38 The sons of Benjamin by clans: Bela and the Belaite clan, Ashbel and the Ashbelite clan, Ahiram and the Ahiramite clan, 39 Shupham and the Shuphamite clan, Hupham and the Huphamite clan. 40 The sons of Bela through Ard and Naaman: Ard and the Ardite clan, Naaman and the Naamite clan. 41 These were the clans of Benjamin. They numbered 45,600. 42 The sons of Dan by clan: Shuham and the Shuhamite clan. 43 all Shuhamite clans. They numbered 64,400. 44 The sons of Asher by clan: Imnah and the Imnite clan, Ishvi and the Ishvite clan, Beriah and the Beriite clan. 45 The sons of Beriah: Heber and the Heberite clan, Malkiel and the Malkielite clan. 46 Asher also had a daughter, Serah. 47 These were the clans of Asher. They numbered 53,400. 48 The sons of Naphtali by clans: Jahzeel and the Jahzeelite clan, Guni and the Gunite clan, 49 Jezer and the Jezerite clan, Shillem and the Shillemite clan. 50 These were the clans of Naphtali. They numbered 45,400. 51 The total number of the People of Israel: 601,730.
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 26:33-56
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.