Numbers 26:1

KJV

¶ And it came to pass after the plague, that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass after {H310} the plague {H4046}, that the LORD {H3068} spake {H559} unto Moses {H4872} and unto Eleazar {H499} the son {H1121} of Aaron {H175} the priest {H3548}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

After the plague, 26 1 ADONAI said to Moshe and El'azar, the son of Aharon the cohen,

Berean Standard Bible

After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest,

American Standard Version

And it came to pass after the plague, that Jehovah spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:1 marks a pivotal moment in Israel's wilderness journey, immediately following the devastating plague at Baal-peor. This verse records the LORD's direct command to Moses and Eleazar, Aaron's successor as High Priest, to conduct a second census of the Israelite nation. This divine instruction signals a crucial transition from the rebellious, dying generation to a new generation poised to enter and inherit the Promised Land, demonstrating God's unwavering faithfulness, restorative grace, and continued guidance for His covenant people despite their severe failures.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:1 serves as a stark narrative pivot. It immediately follows the catastrophic plague detailed in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Baal-Peor Incident"), where 24,000 Israelites perished due to their idolatry and immorality with the Moabite and Midianite women at Baal-peor. This devastating judgment, which highlighted the severe consequences of disobedience and apostasy, concludes a period of significant rebellion and loss for the first generation of Israelites. The phrase "after the plague" explicitly links the divine command to this recent, traumatic event, emphasizing that even in the wake of severe judgment, God's plan for His people continues. This verse then sets the stage for the second census of Israel, detailed in [Numbers 26:2-51](/numbers/26-2-51 "Numbers 26:2-51 - The Second Census"), which is crucial for the upcoming distribution of the land of Canaan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** By this point, nearly forty years have passed since the Exodus from Egypt, and the first generation, condemned to die in the wilderness due to their unbelief at Kadesh-Barnea ([Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26-35 "Numbers 14:26-35 - The Wilderness Sentence")), has largely perished. The nation is now encamped on the plains of Moab, on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. The mention of Eleazar, who succeeded his father Aaron as High Priest ([Numbers 20:28](/numbers/20-28 "Numbers 20:28 - Aaron's Death and Eleazar's Succession")), underscores the continuity of the divinely appointed leadership and priestly line. A census was a significant event in ancient Israel, often conducted for military readiness (as seen in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census")) or, as here, for the purpose of land allocation, ensuring an orderly and equitable distribution among the tribes and families as they prepared to settle in Canaan.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes. Firstly, it highlights God's **unwavering faithfulness and sovereignty**; despite Israel's repeated rebellion and the recent severe judgment, God remains committed to His covenant promises and actively guides His people forward. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **transition and new beginnings**; the passing of the disobedient generation and the rise of a new one signals a fresh start under divine direction, preparing them for their inheritance. Thirdly, the joint address to Moses and Eleazar emphasizes the **continuity of divine leadership and instruction**, affirming that God continues to work through His chosen servants to communicate His will and ensure the proper functioning of the nation, both spiritually and administratively. This divine initiative demonstrates God's restorative grace, moving His people from judgment toward their promised future.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **And it came to pass (Hebrew, _wayehi'_):** This common Hebrew narrative formula often introduces a significant new development or a pivotal event. In this context, it emphasizes the immediate consequence of the preceding events (the plague) and signals a crucial turning point in the nation's journey, highlighting the divine initiative that follows. It acts as a bridge, connecting past judgment with future instruction.
* **Plague (Hebrew, _maggephah'_):** Referring specifically to the divine judgment at Baal-peor (Numbers 25), this word denotes a devastating, divinely inflicted calamity or defeat. Its mention here immediately after the event underscores the severity of Israel's sin and God's righteous response, yet simultaneously points to the end of that specific period of judgment and the commencement of a new phase of divine interaction.
* **The LORD spake (Hebrew, _wayyō'mer YHWH'_):** This phrase emphasizes the direct, authoritative, and personal nature of God's communication. It highlights God's initiative in addressing His people, not abandoning them even after their profound failure. This direct speech underscores His continued engagement with His covenant people and His ongoing role as their guide and provider.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ And it came to pass after the plague,"**: This clause immediately anchors the divine command in the recent, traumatic events of [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Baal-Peor Incident"). The "plague" refers to the devastating judgment at Baal-peor, which claimed 24,000 lives ([Numbers 25:9](/numbers/25-9 "Numbers 25:9 - The Plague's Toll")). The temporal marker "after" signifies a clear end to that period of divine wrath and sets the stage for a new beginning, demonstrating God's movement from judgment to renewed instruction and purpose for His people.
* **"that the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying,"**: This segment highlights God's direct and authoritative communication, emphasizing His continued engagement with Israel. The recipients are significant: Moses, the long-standing prophetic and governmental leader, and Eleazar, who had recently assumed the high priestly office after Aaron's death ([Numbers 20:28](/numbers/20-28 "Numbers 20:28 - Aaron's Death and Eleazar's Succession")). This joint address underscores the continuity of divinely appointed leadership and the importance of both prophetic and priestly authority in receiving and implementing God's will for the nation, particularly as they prepared for the census and the inheritance of the land.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:1 employs several literary devices to convey its profound significance. The most prominent is **Transition**, clearly marked by the phrase "And it came to pass after the plague." This signals a decisive shift from the preceding narrative of judgment and rebellion to a new phase of divine instruction and preparation for the Promised Land. There is also an element of **Juxtaposition**, as the severity of the "plague" (divine judgment) is immediately followed by the direct speech of "the LORD" (divine initiative and grace), highlighting God's steadfastness even in the face of human failure. The consistent use of the **Divine Speech Formula** ("the LORD spake unto...") throughout the Pentateuch, and specifically here, reinforces God's active involvement, authority, and the direct nature of His revelation to His chosen leaders. Furthermore, the verse functions as a **Narrative Bridge**, connecting the tragic events of Numbers 25 with the administrative and preparatory actions of Numbers 26, ensuring a cohesive flow in the wilderness narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:1 profoundly illustrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, even in the immediate aftermath of severe judgment. It reveals a God who, though righteous in His wrath against sin, remains faithful to His promises and actively initiates pathways for renewal and progress. The transition from the plague to a divine command for a census signifies that judgment is not God's final word; rather, it often serves as a purifying fire, clearing the way for a new generation to embrace His purposes. This verse underscores the critical importance of divine leadership (Moses) and the priesthood (Eleazar) as channels through which God communicates His will, guiding His people through repentance and into their promised inheritance. It is a testament to God's restorative grace, demonstrating that even after profound failure, there is always an opportunity for a new beginning under His sovereign direction.

* [Deuteronomy 7:9](/deuteronomy/7-9 "Deuteronomy 7:9 - God's Faithfulness to His Covenant")
* [Isaiah 43:18-19](/isaiah/43-18-19 "Isaiah 43:18-19 - God Does a New Thing")
* [Joshua 1:1-2](/joshua/1-1-2 "Joshua 1:1-2 - God's Charge to Joshua")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:1 offers a powerful message of hope and resilience for believers today. Just as God did not abandon Israel after the devastating plague, He does not abandon us in the aftermath of our failures or the "plagues" of life. This verse reminds us that even when we stumble or face severe consequences for our actions, God's faithfulness endures, and He is always ready to initiate a new season of guidance and purpose. It calls us to acknowledge our past mistakes, receive God's grace, and actively participate in the new beginnings He offers. The inclusion of Eleazar alongside Moses also highlights the importance of submitting to and collaborating with the spiritual leadership God has placed in our lives, recognizing that God often speaks and guides through His appointed servants. We are encouraged to move forward from regret and stagnation, trusting that God's plans for us are for welfare and not for evil, to give us a future and a hope, as we prepare for our ultimate inheritance in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's immediate communication after judgment encourage us regarding His character and His commitment to His people?**
* **What past "plagues" or seasons of failure in our lives might God be calling us to move beyond, embracing a new season of purpose and divine direction?**
* **In what ways can we better recognize and submit to the spiritual leadership God has placed over us, trusting that He uses them to communicate His will?**
* **What practical steps can we take to prepare ourselves for the "inheritance" or next phase that God has for us, just as Israel prepared for Canaan?**

### FAQ

**Why is Eleazar mentioned alongside Moses, and what is its significance?**

Answer: Eleazar is mentioned alongside Moses because he had recently succeeded his father, Aaron, as the High Priest ([Numbers 20:28](/numbers/20-28 "Numbers 20:28 - Aaron's Death and Eleazar's Succession")). His inclusion is highly significant for several reasons. Firstly, it signifies the continuity of the priestly line and the divine approval of Eleazar's office, ensuring that the spiritual leadership remained intact. Secondly, it highlights the joint nature of leadership in Israel, with Moses representing the prophetic and governmental authority, and Eleazar representing the cultic and spiritual authority. God's communication to both underscores that the upcoming census and the subsequent land distribution were not merely administrative tasks but had profound spiritual and covenantal implications, requiring the involvement of both the nation's primary leader and its chief priest. This joint address ensured that the divine instructions were received and implemented with full religious and civil authority.

**What was "the plague" referred to, and why is its aftermath so important?**

Answer: "The plague" refers to the devastating divine judgment that occurred at Baal-peor, detailed in [Numbers 25](/numbers/25 "Numbers 25 - The Baal-Peor Incident"). This plague was God's righteous response to Israel's idolatry and sexual immorality, as they engaged in worship of the Moabite god Baal-peor and committed harlotry with Moabite and Midianite women. The incident was so severe that it resulted in the death of 24,000 Israelites ([Numbers 25:9](/numbers/25-9 "Numbers 25:9 - The Plague's Toll")). Its aftermath is critically important because it marks the definitive end of the rebellious generation that had been condemned to die in the wilderness. The plague served as a final, purifying judgment, clearing the way for the new generation—those born in the wilderness—to prepare for and finally enter the Promised Land. God's immediate command for a census after this judgment demonstrates His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises and His readiness to move His people forward into their inheritance, even after profound sin and severe consequences.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:1, with its emphasis on a new beginning after judgment and the preparation for an inheritance, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The "plague" at Baal-peor underscores humanity's deep-seated sinfulness and the righteous judgment it incurs, pointing to the ultimate need for a perfect sacrifice to atone for sin. Christ, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), perfectly fulfills this need, bearing the full weight of divine judgment on the cross ([Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5-6 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Christ's Atoning Sacrifice")). The transition from the old, disobedient generation to a new one poised for inheritance foreshadows the new covenant in Christ, where believers are made [new creations](/2-corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ") and are given a spiritual inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" ([1-peter/1-3-4](/1-peter/1-3-4 "1 Peter 1:3-4 - Our Living Hope and Inheritance")). Furthermore, the leadership of Moses and Eleazar, who received divine instruction for their people, points to Jesus as the ultimate Prophet ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - A Prophet Like Moses")) and the [Great High Priest](/hebrews/4-14-16 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus Our High Priest"), who not only communicates God's will but also intercedes for His people and grants them access to God's presence. Through Christ, the judgment for sin is satisfied, and a new, living way is opened to an eternal inheritance, far surpassing the earthly land of Canaan ([Hebrews 9:11-12](/hebrews/9-11-12 "Hebrews 9:11-12 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 25:9

And those that died in the plague were twenty and four thousand.