Numbers 26:14
These were the clans of Simeon, and there were 22,200 men.
These were the clans of Simeon
The phrase "These were the clans of Simeon" refers to the descendants of Simeon, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Hebrew word for "clans" is "mishpachot," which signifies family groups or extended families within the tribe. Historically, the tribe of Simeon was known for its close association with the tribe of Judah, often sharing territory in the southern part of the Promised Land. This connection is significant as it reflects the unity and interdependence among the tribes of Israel, despite their individual identities. The mention of "Simeon" here is a reminder of the patriarchal blessing and prophecy given by Jacob in Genesis 49:5-7, where Simeon and Levi are noted for their fierce nature. This census reflects the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham to make his descendants numerous, even as it also shows the consequences of past actions, as the tribe of Simeon had decreased in number since the first census in Numbers 1.

and there were 22,200 men
The enumeration "22,200 men" is significant in the context of the Israelite community's preparation to enter the Promised Land. The Hebrew term for "men" is "gever," which often denotes a man of strength or warrior, indicating that this count was specifically of those able to go to war. This census was crucial for organizing the military and ensuring that each tribe contributed to the collective defense and conquest of Canaan. The number reflects a decrease from the previous census, where Simeon had 59,300 men (Numbers 1:23). This decline could be attributed to the divine judgment that fell upon the tribe due to their participation in the sin at Peor (Numbers 25), illustrating the consequences of disobedience to God's commands. The specific number serves as a historical record and a spiritual lesson on the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God. It also underscores the theme of divine providence and the fulfillment of God's promises, as the Israelites prepare to take possession of the land promised to their forefathers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Simeon
Simeon was one of the twelve sons of Jacob, making him one of the patriarchs of the tribes of Israel. The tribe of Simeon is being counted in this census.

2. Census of Israel
This event is the second census of the Israelites, conducted in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho. It was commanded by God to Moses and Eleazar the priest to count the men of Israel who were able to go to war.

3. Plains of Moab
This is the location where the Israelites were encamped as they prepared to enter the Promised Land. It is significant as the setting for the census and other events in the book of Numbers.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
The census was commanded by God, highlighting the importance of obedience to divine instructions. This teaches us to heed God's commands in our lives.

Consequences of Sin
The reduction in the number of the tribe of Simeon from the first census to the second may reflect the consequences of sin and disobedience, as seen in the incident at Peor (Numbers 25).

God's Sovereignty in History
The census reflects God's sovereign plan for His people, reminding us that He is in control of history and the destinies of nations and individuals.

Community and Accountability
The census underscores the importance of community and accountability within the people of God, as each tribe and family is accounted for.

Preparation for the Future
The census was a preparation for entering the Promised Land, teaching us the importance of preparation and readiness for the tasks God sets before us.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from the decrease in the number of the tribe of Simeon between the first and second censuses, and how does this apply to our understanding of the consequences of sin?

2. How does the obedience of Moses and Eleazar in conducting the census reflect our need to follow God's commands in our daily lives?

3. In what ways does the census of the Israelites demonstrate God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact our trust in God's plan for our lives?

4. How does the concept of community and accountability in the census relate to the New Testament teachings on the body of Christ?

5. What steps can we take to prepare ourselves for the tasks and challenges God has set before us, as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 49:5-7
This passage contains Jacob's prophecy concerning Simeon and Levi, which provides context for the tribe's future and their reduced numbers.

Exodus 6:15
Lists the sons of Simeon, providing background on the family lineage and the origins of the tribe.

Numbers 1:23
The first census of the tribe of Simeon, showing a comparison in numbers and indicating a significant decrease in their population.
The Second CensusD. Young Numbers 26:1-62
People
Aaron, Abihu, Abiram, Ahiram, Ahiramites, Amram, Ard, Ardites, Areli, Arelites, Arod, Arodites, Ashbel, Ashbelites, Asher, Asriel, Asrielites, Becher, Becherites, Bela, Belaites, Benjamin, Beriah, Beriites, Berites, Caleb, Carmi, Carmites, Dan, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Elon, Elonites, Enoch, Enochites, Er, Eran, Eranites, Eri, Erites, Gad, Gershon, Gershonites, Gileadites, Guni, Gunites, Haggai, Haggi, Haggites, Hamul, Hamulites, Hanoch, Hanochites, Heber, Heberites, Hebronites, Helek, Helekites, Helkites, Hepher, Hepherites, Hezron, Hezronites, Hoglah, Hupham, Huphamites, Iezerites, Imnah, Imnites, Ishvites, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Jachin, Jachinites, Jahleel, Jahleelites, Jahzeel, Jahzeelites, Jamin, Jaminites, Jashub, Jashubites, Jeezer, Jeezerites, Jephunneh, Jesui, Jesuites, Jezer, Jezerites, Jimna, Jimnah, Jimnites, Jishvites, Jochebed, Joseph, Joshua, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Korathites, Levi, Levites, Libnites, Machir, Machirites, Mahlah, Mahlites, Malchiel, Malchielites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Milcah, Miriam, Moses, Mushites, Naaman, Naamites, Nadab, Naphtali, Nemuel, Nemuelites, Noah, Nun, Onan, Ozni, Oznites, Pallu, Palluites, Perez, Perezites, Phallu, Phalluites, Pharez, Pua, Puah, Punites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sarah, Sardites, Saul, Saulites, Serah, Sered, Seredites, Shaul, Shaulites, Shechemites, Shelah, Shelanites, Shemida, Shemidaites, Shillem, Shillemites, Shimron, Shimronites, Shuham, Shuhamites, Shuni, Shunites, Shupham, Shuphamites, Shuthelah, Shuthelahites, Simeon, Simeonites, Tahan, Tahanites, Tirzah, Tola, Tolaites, Zarhites, Zebulun, Zebulunites, Zelophehad, Zephon, Zephonites, Zerah, Zerahites
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Peor, Sinai
Topics
22, 200, Hundred, Simeon, Simeonite, Simeonites, Thousand, Twenty, Twenty-two
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 26:1-61

     5671   clan

Numbers 26:1-62

     7230   genealogies

Numbers 26:1-65

     5249   census

Numbers 26:12-50

     7266   tribes of Israel

Library
The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Training of a Statesman.
MOSES IN EGYPT AND THE WILDERNESS.--EX. 1:1; 7:5. Parallel Readings. Goodnow, F. J., Comparative Administrative Law. Hist. Bible I, 151-69. And he went out on the following day and saw two men of the Hebrews striving together; and he said to the one who was doing the wrong, Why do you smite your fellow-workman? But he replied, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and said, Surely the thing is known. When, therefore,
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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