The Lord called for another census. The wilderness wandering is marked with a census at the beginning and the end. These bookend census’ were to number those for service in the army and to determine size of the tribe for allotment in the land. The first census was by tribe; the second was by the clans of the tribes.
- Reuben -43,730 – noted among the clan were Dathan and Abiram who were representatives in the rebellion against Moses and Aaron. They were swallowed up when the earth opened.
- Simeon – 22,200
- Gad – 40,500
- Judah – 65,500
- Issachar – 64,300
- Zebulun – 65,500
- Joseph – 55,200 – noted among the clan are the daughters of Zelophehad.
- Ephraim – 32,500
- Benjamin – 45,600
- Dan – 64,400
- Asher – 53,400
- Naphtali – 45,400
The census total was 601,730 compared to the original census of 603,550 (Numbers 1:46). The size of the tribes would determine the allotment in the land. Larger tribes would get the larger land allotment. The land would be allotted by lot (the Lord’s choice). All those who had come out of Egypt and refused to enter the Promised Land had passed away. Joshua and Caleb would be the only two of that generation that would enter the land.
- Levites - 23,300 -These were numbered by every male a month old and above. They had no inheritance of the land and would not serve in the military.
This census took place in the plains of Moab across of Jericho in preparation to enter the land.
© 2023 Doug Ford, Calvary Chapel Sweetwater
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