Numbers 26:63

KJV

¶ These [are] they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho.

KJV (with Strong's)

These are they that were numbered {H6485} by Moses {H4872} and Eleazar {H499} the priest {H3548}, who numbered {H6485} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} in the plains {H6160} of Moab {H4124} by Jordan {H3383} near Jericho {H3405}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These are the ones counted by Moshe and El'azar the cohen, who took a census of the people of Isra'el in the plains of Mo'av by the Yarden across from Yericho.

Berean Standard Bible

These were the ones numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.

American Standard Version

These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:63 serves as a pivotal concluding statement for the second census of Israel, meticulously detailing the divine oversight and human agency involved in numbering the new generation. This verse precisely identifies Moses and Eleazar the priest as the leaders responsible for this significant headcount, conducted in the plains of Moab, strategically located by the Jordan River near Jericho. It marks the culmination of a critical phase in Israel's journey, signifying their readiness for the promised inheritance and underscoring God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant despite the previous generation's rebellion and demise in the wilderness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Numbers 26:63 functions as the concluding summary of the second census of the Israelite fighting men, detailed throughout [Numbers chapter 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"). This census, commanded by God at the beginning of the chapter (cf. [Numbers 26:1-4](/numbers/26-1 "Numbers 26:1-4 - Command for the Second Census")), contrasts sharply with the first census recorded in [Numbers chapter 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), taken nearly four decades earlier at Mount Sinai. The meticulous listing of tribes and families in chapter 26 serves as a practical preparation for the division of the land by lot, as explicitly stated in [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Instructions for Land Division"). Verse 63, therefore, provides a definitive close to this administrative and theological exercise, setting the stage for the final instructions and the imminent entry into Canaan.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The second census took place approximately 38 years after the first, following the tragic wilderness wanderings and the demise of the entire generation that had rebelled against God at Kadesh Barnea (cf. [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26 "Numbers 14:26-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")). This new generation, born and raised in the wilderness, stood on the threshold of the Promised Land. The location, "in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho," is profoundly significant, representing the final encampment before the Jordan River crossing. Culturally, a census in ancient Israel served multiple purposes: military readiness, tax assessment, and, crucially, the equitable distribution of tribal land. The mention of Moses and Eleazar underscores the continuity of both civil and priestly leadership as Israel prepared for a monumental transition from nomadic life to settled nationhood.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several profound themes central to the book of Numbers and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Faithfulness and Covenant Continuity**. Despite the catastrophic failure and judgment upon the previous generation, God meticulously preserved and prepared a new generation, demonstrating His unwavering commitment to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (cf. [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - God's Covenant with Abraham")). Secondly, it emphasizes **Preparation for Inheritance and Possession**, as the census was not merely a headcount but a crucial administrative step for the upcoming division of the land (cf. [Numbers 33:50-56](/numbers/33-50 "Numbers 33:50-56 - Instructions for Conquering and Dividing the Land")). Finally, the verse subtly points to **Transition of Leadership**, as Eleazar had assumed the high priestly duties from his deceased father Aaron, and Moses was soon to pass the mantle of leadership to Joshua, ensuring continuity of spiritual and civil authority for the nation's new era (cf. [Numbers 27:18-23](/numbers/27-18 "Numbers 27:18-23 - Joshua Appointed as Moses' Successor")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _paqad_):** The Hebrew verb פָּקַד (_paqad_) carries a richer meaning than simply "to count." While it denotes a numerical tally, it also implies "to visit," "to attend to," "to muster," "to inspect," or "to take account of" with a specific purpose. In this context, it suggests divine oversight and purposeful accounting. God is not merely counting heads; He is actively taking stock of His people, acknowledging their existence, their readiness, and their place within His unfolding plan for the inheritance of the land. This divine "visitation" underscores God's meticulous care and intentionality in preparing Israel for the next phase of their redemptive history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [are] they that were numbered":** This opening phrase serves as a summary statement, pointing back to the detailed tribal lists and numerical totals provided throughout [Numbers chapter 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"). It emphasizes that the individuals accounted for were specifically those of the new generation, distinct from the generation that perished in the wilderness, highlighting the continuity of God's people despite generational change and divine judgment.
* **"by Moses and Eleazar the priest":** This clause identifies the two key figures of authority responsible for conducting the census. Moses, as the primary leader and prophet, represented the civil and administrative head, while Eleazar, as the High Priest, represented the spiritual and religious authority. Their joint involvement underscores the integrated nature of Israelite governance, where civil and religious duties were intertwined under divine command, ensuring legitimacy and divine sanction for the census.
* **"who numbered the children of Israel":** This reiterates the action of the census, reinforcing its purpose and scope – to count the entire nation. The repetition of "numbered" (from the initial "These are they that were numbered") emphasizes the thoroughness and divine mandate behind the exercise, confirming that the entire community was accounted for in preparation for their future.
* **"in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho":** This precise geographical designation is highly significant. The "plains of Moab" were the final staging ground for Israel before crossing the Jordan River. Being "by Jordan [near] Jericho" placed them directly opposite the Promised Land, with Jericho, the first city to be conquered, in view. This location symbolizes the culmination of their wilderness journey and their imminent transition from nomadic wandering to settled inheritance, marking a pivotal moment in their redemptive history.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:63 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. It functions primarily as a **Summary Statement** or **Recapitulation**, bringing a definitive close to the detailed census report of [Numbers chapter 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"). This device provides a sense of completion and finality, consolidating the preceding information into a concise, authoritative declaration. The specific mention of "Moses and Eleazar the priest" highlights **Continuity of Leadership**, underscoring the orderly transfer of authority and the enduring nature of God's chosen instruments for His people. Furthermore, the precise geographical reference to "the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho" serves as a powerful **Geographical Marker** and **Symbolism**. This location is not merely a factual detail but a potent symbol of transition, hope, and the imminent fulfillment of God's promises, marking the boundary between the wilderness past and the promised future. The repetition of the verb "numbered" also functions as **Emphasis**, reinforcing the meticulousness and divine purpose behind the census.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:63, though a concise summary, encapsulates profound theological truths concerning God's unwavering faithfulness, His meticulous ordering of His people, and the continuity of His redemptive plan. It stands as a testament to God's commitment to His covenant promises, demonstrating that even when human failure and rebellion lead to severe consequences, His ultimate purposes for His people will prevail. The census of this new generation, poised at the threshold of the Promised Land, signifies a divine reset, a fresh start under God's sovereign guidance. It underscores that God's plans are not thwarted by human sin, but rather, He raises up new generations to fulfill His purposes, always moving His people towards the promised inheritance. This verse reminds us that God is a God of order, who knows His people intimately and prepares them for the work and blessings He has ordained.

* [Numbers 14:29-35](/numbers/14-29 "The Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")
* [Deuteronomy 34:1-4](/deuteronomy/34-1 "Moses Views the Promised Land")
* [Joshua 3:1-17](/joshua/3-1 "Israel Crosses the Jordan")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:63, while a historical record, offers timeless principles for believers today. It powerfully illustrates God's enduring faithfulness, even in the face of human shortcomings and generational failures. Just as God preserved a new generation of Israelites to inherit the land their parents forfeited, so too does He extend grace and new opportunities to us, regardless of past mistakes or the failures of those who came before us. This verse calls us to recognize that God is always moving His people forward, preparing us for new seasons, new challenges, and new blessings. It encourages us to embrace divine order and accountability in our lives, understanding that God knows each of us intimately and has a purpose for our inclusion in His kingdom. We are part of a continuous narrative of God's redemptive work, called to be ready and prepared for the "promised land" of His purposes in our lives and in the world.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the divine preservation of a new generation in Numbers 26:63 encourage you in moments of personal or communal failure?**
* **In what "plains of Moab" are you currently positioned, poised for a new season or a significant transition in your spiritual journey?**
* **How can we, like Moses and Eleazar, faithfully steward the responsibilities God has entrusted to us, ensuring continuity and order in our ministries and lives?**

### FAQ
**Why was a second census necessary for the Israelites?**

Answer: A second census was crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it was a practical necessity for the upcoming division of the Promised Land, as the land was to be apportioned by lot according to the size of each tribe and family (cf. [Numbers 26:52-56](/numbers/26-52 "Numbers 26:52-56 - Instructions for Land Division")). Secondly, it served as a military muster, assessing the fighting strength of the new generation ready to conquer Canaan. The first generation, counted in [Numbers chapter 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), had perished in the wilderness due to their rebellion (cf. [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26 "Numbers 14:26-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")), making a new count essential for the generation poised to inherit.

**What is the significance of the location "in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho"?**

Answer: This specific geographical detail is highly significant. The "plains of Moab" represented the final encampment of Israel before crossing the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Being "by Jordan [near] Jericho" placed them directly on the threshold of their inheritance, with Jericho, the first city they were commanded to conquer, in view. This location symbolizes the culmination of their forty years of wilderness wandering and the imminent fulfillment of God's covenant promises to give them the land, marking a pivotal transition from a nomadic past to a settled future (cf. [Joshua 3:1](/joshua/3-1 "Joshua 3:1 - Israel Prepares to Cross the Jordan")).

**What does the repetition of "numbered" imply beyond a simple headcount?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "numbered" (פָּקַד, _paqad_) carries a deeper theological nuance than a mere numerical count. It implies divine oversight, purposeful visitation, and accountability. When God "numbers" His people, it is an act of intentionality, signifying His active involvement, His knowledge of each individual, and His preparation of them for His purposes. In this context, it underscores God's meticulous care in preparing the new generation for their inheritance, demonstrating that every person was accounted for in His divine plan, even after the judgment upon the previous generation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:63, with its emphasis on a new generation poised to inherit a promised land after the failure of the old, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The wilderness generation's inability to enter God's rest due to unbelief (cf. [Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Do Not Harden Your Hearts")) foreshadows humanity's inability to enter God's ultimate rest through works of the Law. Jesus Christ, however, inaugurates a "new covenant" and ushers in a "new creation," forming a spiritual "new generation" of believers who, through faith in Him, are enabled to enter God's true and eternal rest (cf. [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - The Promise of Entering His Rest")). He is the ultimate leader, greater than Moses, who leads His people not into a temporal land, but into an eternal inheritance—the spiritual blessings in the heavenly places (cf. [Ephesians 1:3-14](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3-14 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")) and ultimately the new heavens and new earth (cf. [Revelation 21:1-7](/revelation/21-1 "Revelation 21:1-7 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). Just as Eleazar served as the High Priest preparing Israel for the land, Christ is our great High Priest, who has entered the true heavenly sanctuary, securing our access to God and our eternal inheritance through His once-for-all sacrifice (cf. [Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus the Great High Priest") and [Hebrews 9:11-14](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice")). The meticulous numbering in Moab points to God's sovereign knowledge and purposeful inclusion of every believer in His eternal kingdom, ensuring that all who are "in Christ" are part of the true Israel, destined for the ultimate promised land.

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 26:3

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