Numbers 26:64

KJV

But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

KJV (with Strong's)

But among these there was not a man {H376} of them whom Moses {H4872} and Aaron {H175} the priest {H3548} numbered {H6485}, when they numbered {H6485} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} in the wilderness {H4057} of Sinai {H5514}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But there was not a man among them who had also been included in the census of Moshe and Aharon the cohen when they enumerated the people of Isra'el in the Sinai Desert;

Berean Standard Bible

Among all these, however, there was not one who had been numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai.

American Standard Version

But among these there was not a man of them that were numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Numbers 26:64 serves as a solemn and pivotal summary statement following the second census of Israel on the plains of Moab. It starkly declares that of the entire male generation aged twenty years and older who were initially numbered by Moses and Aaron in the wilderness of Sinai, not a single individual remained alive to enter the Promised Land, thereby underscoring the severe consequences of their collective rebellion and persistent unbelief against God's divine pronouncement.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse provides a definitive concluding statement to the detailed enumeration of the second generation of Israelites, recorded in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"). It stands in stark contrast to the first census, documented nearly four decades earlier in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), which counted the generation that departed Egypt. The meticulous listing of tribes and their numbers in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census") highlights the remarkable resilience and growth of the nation, even after forty years of wilderness wandering. Verse 64 acts as a powerful epilogue to this census data, immediately preceding the crucial exceptions of Caleb and Joshua in [Numbers 26:65](/numbers/26-65 "Numbers 26:65 - Caleb and Joshua's Faithfulness"). It effectively bridges the narrative gap between the rebellious generation and the new generation poised to inherit the land, emphasizing the divine purging that occurred and the continuity of God's covenant purposes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for this verse is the forty-year period of Israel's wandering in the wilderness, a direct and severe consequence of their rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea. After receiving the terrifying report of the spies, the people refused to enter the Promised Land, choosing instead to grumble against God and Moses ([Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea")). In response, God declared that the entire generation of fighting men, save Caleb and Joshua, would perish in the wilderness, never seeing the land He had promised ([Numbers 14:28-35](/numbers/14-28 "Numbers 14:28-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")). Numbers 26:64 confirms the complete fulfillment of this divine judgment. The census itself was a common ancient Near Eastern practice, often conducted for military readiness and land allocation, both of which were highly pertinent as Israel prepared to conquer Canaan from the plains of Moab.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme underscored by [Numbers 26:64](/numbers/26-64 "Numbers 26:64 - The Fulfillment of Divine Judgment") is the **fulfillment of divine judgment**. It serves as a stark and undeniable reminder that God's word, whether of promise or warning, is absolutely certain to come to pass. This verse also powerfully illustrates the **cost of unbelief and rebellion**, demonstrating that a persistent lack of faith in God's power and promises leads to severe, even fatal, consequences, as seen in the generation that perished in the wilderness ([Hebrews 3:19](/hebrews/3-19 "Hebrew 3:19 - Unbelief as a Barrier to Entry")). Conversely, it highlights **God's unwavering faithfulness** not only in executing judgment but also in preserving His covenant people and raising up a new generation to fulfill His purposes, thereby ensuring the continuity of His plan for Israel to inherit the land ([Deuteronomy 1:34-36](/deuteronomy/1-34 "Deuteronomy 1:34-36 - God's Faithfulness to His Promise")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Man (Hebrew, _ʼîysh_):** This term refers to an individual male person. In this context, its use emphasizes the absolute nature of the judgment: "not a man" means not a single individual of the original male population over twenty years old survived. It underscores the comprehensive scope of God's decree, highlighting that no one from that specific demographic, apart from the divinely appointed exceptions, was spared.
* **Numbered (Hebrew, _pâqad_):** This verb carries a rich semantic range, including to "visit," "muster," "attend to," "appoint," or "take a census." Here, it specifically denotes the act of counting or enrolling for military or administrative purposes. However, the underlying nuance of _pâqad_ often implies divine oversight or intervention, suggesting that the numbering was not merely a human administrative task but one conducted under God's watchful eye, leading to either blessing or, as here, a reckoning that culminates in judgment.
* **Wilderness (Hebrew, _midbâr_):** While broadly meaning a "desert" or "pasture," in this context, "the wilderness of Sinai" specifically points to the geographical and historical starting point of Israel's journey after the Exodus. It evokes the initial period of covenant formation, divine revelation (the giving of the Law), and the first census. By explicitly mentioning "Sinai," the text draws a direct historical line from the generation that began their journey with God's miraculous provision and covenant to their ultimate demise in the wilderness, emphasizing the contrast between their privileged beginning and their tragic end.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered":** This opening clause delivers the shocking and definitive statement of the verse. "These" refers to the new generation, the subject of the census in [Numbers 26](/numbers/26 "Numbers 26 - The Second Census"). The phrase "not a man of them" emphasizes the absolute nature of the judgment – a complete eradication of the original adult male population. The mention of "Moses and Aaron the priest" highlights the official, divinely sanctioned nature of the original census, underscoring that the judgment was not arbitrary but against those who had been formally counted as the covenant community.
* **"when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.":** This second clause provides the crucial temporal and geographical context. It refers back to the first census recorded in [Numbers 1](/numbers/1 "Numbers 1 - The First Census"), which occurred shortly after the Exodus at Mount Sinai. By linking the two censuses, the verse directly connects the generation that rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea with the outcome of God's judgment, confirming that the entire adult male population (with the exceptions noted in [Numbers 26:65](/numbers/26-65 "Numbers 26:65 - Caleb and Joshua's Faithfulness")) had indeed perished during the forty years of wandering.

#### Literary Devices
Numbers 26:64 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Fulfillment of Prophecy/Judgment**, as the verse explicitly confirms the execution of God's decree against the rebellious generation from [Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - The Rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea"). This creates a powerful sense of divine justice and the undeniable certainty of God's word. There is also a strong element of **Contrast**, juxtaposing the vibrant, new generation being counted on the plains of Moab with the complete absence of the previous generation, highlighting the profound shift and the severe consequences of their actions. The verse functions as a **Sobering Summary**, providing a concise yet impactful conclusion to a long, arduous period of wilderness wandering, encapsulating the tragic outcome of unbelief in a single, stark statement. The subtle **Repetition** of "numbered" (using different verbal forms in the Hebrew) reinforces the idea of divine accounting and reckoning, emphasizing that God keeps a precise record of His people and their responses to Him.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Numbers 26:64 stands as a profound theological statement on the gravity of unbelief and the unwavering certainty of God's word. It demonstrates that while God is merciful and long-suffering, He is also just and will not tolerate persistent rebellion and defiance of His commands. The complete perishing of an entire generation, despite their miraculous deliverance from Egypt, serves as a timeless warning that covenant relationship demands faith and obedience. This judgment, though severe, also highlights God's faithfulness to His ultimate redemptive plan, as He preserved a remnant and raised up a new generation to inherit the promises, ensuring His covenant purposes would not fail.

* [Numbers 14:28-35](/numbers/14-28 "God's Judgment Declared on the Rebellious Generation")
* [Deuteronomy 2:14-16](/deuteronomy/2-14 "The End of the Rebellious Generation in the Wilderness")
* [Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7 "Warning Against Unbelief and Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Numbers 26:64 offers a stark and enduring lesson for all who seek to walk with God. It is a powerful reminder that while God's grace abounds, His holiness demands a response of faith and obedience. The fate of the wilderness generation serves as a perpetual warning against the insidious nature of unbelief, which can harden hearts and prevent us from entering into God's promised rest and blessings. It challenges us to examine our own hearts: Do we truly trust God's promises, even when circumstances seem daunting or when the path ahead is unclear? Are we quick to complain and doubt when faced with trials, or do we walk in patient endurance and hopeful expectation? This verse calls us to learn from history, to cultivate a spirit of genuine faith that translates into obedient action, and to embrace the discipline of perseverance, recognizing that our choices today have eternal consequences. It encourages us to press forward into the "promised land" of God's will and purpose for our lives, not repeating the mistakes of those who fell short due to a lack of faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific areas of my life reveal a lack of trust in God's promises or power, leading to spiritual "wandering"?**
* **How does the certainty of God's judgment on persistent unbelief motivate me to live a life of greater faith and obedience today?**
* **In what ways might I be resisting God's leading, similar to the rebellious generation, and what are the potential consequences?**
* **What lessons can I draw from the contrast between the first and second generations of Israel regarding perseverance in faith and entering God's rest?**

### FAQ

**Why did God allow an entire generation to perish in the wilderness?**

Answer: God allowed an entire generation to perish in the wilderness as a direct consequence of their persistent unbelief and rebellion, particularly their refusal to enter the Promised Land at Kadesh-Barnea ([Numbers 14:1-4](/numbers/14-1 "Numbers 14:1-4 - Israel's Rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea")). This was a divine judgment, explicitly declared by God Himself ([Numbers 14:28-35](/numbers/14-28 "Numbers 14:28-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")), to demonstrate the seriousness of breaking covenant with Him and the severe cost of doubting His power and faithfulness. It served as a profound object lesson for future generations, highlighting that God's promises are conditional on faith and obedience, and that His holiness demands a response of reverence and trust.

**Does this verse imply that God is unmerciful?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God is unmerciful. While it highlights His justice and the consequences of sin, it must be understood within the broader context of God's character and His dealings with Israel. God had shown immense mercy and patience to this generation, delivering them from slavery, providing for them miraculously in the wilderness, and giving them His law. Their perishing was not an act of arbitrary wrath but the just consequence of their repeated and persistent rebellion, despite abundant evidence of God's faithfulness. Furthermore, God's mercy is seen in His preservation of the nation through the new generation, ensuring His covenant promises would ultimately be fulfilled through them. The New Testament also uses this event as a warning, not to condemn, but to encourage perseverance in faith and to seek God's promised rest ([Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Warning Against Unbelief")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Numbers 26:64, with its stark declaration of a generation perishing due to unbelief, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the contrast between the old covenant and the new, and in Jesus as the true "rest" for God's people. The wilderness generation failed to enter the earthly promised land because of their lack of faith, serving as a powerful type and shadow of the spiritual "rest" that believers are called to enter through Christ ([Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - The Promise of Rest Through Christ")). Jesus, as the greater Moses, leads His people not into a temporal land, but into an eternal inheritance and spiritual freedom from sin and its condemnation ([Hebrews 3:1-6](/hebrews/3-1 "Hebrews 3:1-6 - Jesus, Superior to Moses")). The judgment on the wilderness generation underscores the seriousness of unbelief, but in Christ, we find the perfect obedience and faith that the first generation lacked. He is the faithful Son who secures our entry into God's presence and the heavenly Canaan ([Hebrews 4:14-16](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Jesus, Our Great High Priest")). Thus, Numbers 26:64, while a sobering historical record, ultimately points to the necessity of faith in Jesus, who is our only way to truly inherit God's promises and experience His eternal rest and abundant life ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")).

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

Deuteronomy 2:14

And the space in which we came from Kadeshbarnea, until we were come over the brook Zered, [was] thirty and eight years; until all the generation of the men of war were wasted out from among the host, as the LORD sware unto them.

Deuteronomy 2:15

For indeed the hand of the LORD was against them, to destroy them from among the host, until they were consumed.

Deuteronomy 4:3

Your eyes have seen what the LORD did because of Baalpeor: for all the men that followed Baalpeor, the LORD thy God hath destroyed them from among you.

Deuteronomy 4:4

But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God [are] alive every one of you this day.

1 Corinthians 10:5

But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

Numbers 1:1

¶ And the LORD spake unto Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first [day] of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of Egypt, saying,

Numbers 1:2

Take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of Israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of [their] names, every male by their polls;