Numbers 26:53
"The land is to be divided among the tribes as an inheritance, according to the number of names.
The land
In the context of Numbers 26:53, "the land" refers to the Promised Land, Canaan, which God had pledged to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Hebrew word for land, "erets," signifies not just a physical territory but also a place of divine promise and blessing. This land was to be a tangible representation of God's covenant with Israel, a place where they could live in accordance with His laws and enjoy His provision and protection. Historically, the land of Canaan was a fertile and strategically located region, making it a valuable inheritance for the Israelites.

is to be divided
The division of the land was a significant event in Israel's history, marking the transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a settled existence. The Hebrew root "chalaq" implies an allocation or apportionment, suggesting a careful and deliberate process. This division was not merely a practical necessity but a fulfillment of God's promise, underscoring His faithfulness. It also symbolized the unity and order that God desired for His people, as each tribe received its portion according to divine instruction.

among them
The phrase "among them" emphasizes the communal aspect of the inheritance. The land was not given to individuals but to the tribes of Israel collectively, reinforcing the idea of corporate identity and responsibility. This distribution ensured that each tribe had a stake in the land and a role in the nation's future. It also highlighted the importance of family and tribal connections in ancient Israelite society, where land ownership was closely tied to one's lineage and heritage.

as an inheritance
The concept of "inheritance" in Hebrew, "nachalah," carries deep theological significance. It denotes a gift that is passed down from one generation to the next, symbolizing continuity and legacy. In the biblical context, the land was not just a possession but a sacred trust from God, meant to be preserved and cherished. This inheritance was a reminder of God's grace and generosity, as well as a call to stewardship and obedience. It pointed to the ultimate inheritance that believers have in Christ, an eternal home in the presence of God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites, who is receiving instructions from God regarding the division of the Promised Land.

2. Eleazar the Priest
The son of Aaron, who assists Moses in the census and the division of the land.

3. The Israelites
The descendants of the twelve tribes of Israel, who are to receive the land as an inheritance.

4. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to Abraham and his descendants.

5. The Census
The event where the Israelites are counted to determine the division of the land.
Teaching Points
God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The division of the land is a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to Abraham and his descendants.

The Importance of Obedience
The Israelites' receipt of the land is contingent upon their obedience to God's commands, highlighting the importance of following God's instructions.

Inheritance and Identity
The land serves as a physical representation of the Israelites' identity and relationship with God, reminding believers of their spiritual inheritance in Christ.

Community and Responsibility
The division of the land among the tribes emphasizes the importance of community and shared responsibility in God's plan.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the division of the land among the Israelites reflect God's faithfulness to His promises?

2. In what ways does the concept of inheritance in Numbers 26:53 relate to the spiritual inheritance believers have in Christ?

3. How can the Israelites' obedience in receiving their inheritance serve as a model for our own obedience to God's commands today?

4. What lessons can we learn about community and shared responsibility from the division of the land among the tribes?

5. How does the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham in Numbers 26:53 encourage us in our own faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12:7
God's promise to Abraham about giving his descendants the land, which is being fulfilled in Numbers 26:53.

Joshua 14:1-2
The actual division of the land among the tribes, as instructed in Numbers 26.

Ezekiel 47:13-14
A prophetic vision of the land division, echoing the instructions given in Numbers.

Hebrews 11:8-10
The faith of Abraham in God's promise, which is foundational to the inheritance discussed in Numbers 26:53.
The Second CensusD. Young Numbers 26:1-62
The Lot is to Decide Where Every Tribe Shall Receive its InheritanceW. Binnie Numbers 26:52-56
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
Apportioned, Based, Divided, Division, Heritage, Inheritance, Names, Relation
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 26:1-61

     5671   clan

Numbers 26:1-62

     7230   genealogies

Numbers 26:1-65

     5249   census

Numbers 26:52-54

     5903   maturity, physical

Numbers 26:52-55

     4208   land, divine responsibility

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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