Numbers 26:3

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho, saying,

Complete Jewish Bible:

Moshe and El'azar the cohen spoke with them on the plains of Mo'av by the Yarden across from Yericho, explaining,

Berean Standard Bible:

So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction,

American Standard Version:

And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying,

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And Moses^{H4872} and Eleazar^{H499} the priest^{H3548} spake^{H1696} with them in the plains^{H6160} of Moab^{H4124} by Jordan^{H3383} near Jericho^{H3405}, saying^{H559},

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Numbers 26:3

1. Themes:
- Census and Registration: The verse is part of a larger narrative where God commands Moses to take a census of the Israelite community. This census is significant as it reaffirms the tribal structure and prepares the people for the distribution of the Promised Land.
- Transition of Leadership: The mention of Eleazar alongside Moses indicates a transition in leadership. Eleazar is being prepared to succeed Aaron as the high priest, signifying the importance of continuity and obeying God's commands for the priesthood.
- Divine Promises: The setting "in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho" is on the threshold of the Promised Land. It underscores the themes of promise and fulfillment, as the Israelites are about to enter the land God had sworn to give to their ancestors.

2. Historical Context:
- The Israelites are nearing the end of their 40-year journey in the wilderness, which was a punishment for their lack of faith when they first arrived at the borders of Canaan.
- This census is the second one recorded in the Book of Numbers, the first being in Numbers 1. The first census was taken at Mount Sinai, and this second census is taken approximately 38 years later, just before entering Canaan.
- The location in the plains of Moab indicates that the Israelites are on the eastern side of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho. They are camped in the territory of the Moabites, who are related to the Israelites through Abraham's nephew Lot.
- The timing of this census is crucial as it is a prelude to the military campaigns to conquer Canaan. The census determines the number of men available for military service and the allocation of land once they take possession of the land.
- This event occurs after the death of Aaron (Moses' brother) and before the death of Moses, setting the stage for Joshua to take over as the leader of the Israelites.

In summary, Numbers 26:3 reflects the themes of divine promise, preparation for entering the Promised Land, and the importance of orderly succession in leadership and priesthood, all set within the historical context of the Israelites' imminent transition from a nomadic wilderness existence to a settled life in Canaan.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H4872
   There are 704 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מֹשֶׁה
   Transliteration: Môsheh
   Pronunciation: mo-sheh'
   Description: from מָשָׁה; drawing out (of the water), i.e. rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver; Moses.
   
2. Strong's Number: H499
   There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֶלְעָזָר
   Transliteration: ʼElʻâzâr
   Pronunciation: el-aw-zawr'
   Description: from אֵל and עָזַר; God (is) helper; Elazar, the name of seven Israelites; Eleazar.
   
3. Strong's Number: H3548
   There are 653 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֹּהֵן
   Transliteration: kôhên
   Pronunciation: ko-hane'
   Description: active participle of כָּהַן; literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman); chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer.
   
4. Strong's Number: H1696
   There are 1050 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: דָבַר
   Transliteration: dâbar
   Pronunciation: daw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue; answer, appoint, bid, command, commune, declare, destroy, give, name, promise, pronounce, rehearse, say, speak, be spokesman, subdue, talk, teach, tell, think, use (entreaties), utter, [idiom] well, [idiom] work.
   
5. Strong's Number: H6160
   There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֲרָבָה
   Transliteration: ʻărâbâh
   Pronunciation: ar-aw-baw'
   Description: from עָרַב (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea; Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H4124
   There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מוֹאָב
   Transliteration: Môwʼâb
   Pronunciation: mo-awb
   Description: from a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix m-and אָב; from (her (the mother's)) father; Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants; Moab.
   
7. Strong's Number: H3383
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יַרְדֵּן
   Transliteration: Yardên
   Pronunciation: yar-dane'
   Description: from יָרַד; a descender; Jarden, the principal river of Palestine; Jordan.
   
8. Strong's Number: H3405
   There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְרִיחוֹ
   Transliteration: Yᵉrîychôw
   Pronunciation: yer-ee-kho'
   Description: or יְרֵחוֹ; or variation (1 Kings 16:34) יְרִיחֹה; perhaps from יָרֵחַ; its month; or else from רוּחַ; fragrant; Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine; Jericho.
   
9. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.