Numbers 26:3
And Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
spake
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֨ר
spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
1 of 11
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
הַכֹּהֵ֛ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֛ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
4 of 11
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֹתָ֖ם
H854
אֹתָ֖ם
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת
with them in the plains
H6160
בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת
with them in the plains
Strong's:
H6160
Word #:
6 of 11
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
מוֹאָ֑ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֑ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
7 of 11
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Numbers 22:1And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.Numbers 33:48And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.Numbers 35:1And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,Numbers 26:63These 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.
Historical Context
The plains of Moab (east of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho) served as Israel's staging ground for the conquest of Canaan. Moses conducted the second census here in approximately 1406 BC, 38 years after the first census and just before his death. Eleazar had succeeded Aaron as high priest earlier that same year.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's faithfulness to raise up a new generation after the first generation's failure demonstrate His covenant commitment?
- What transitions in your life mark the passage from old patterns of unbelief to new seasons of obedience?
- How does the census's focus on military-age men 'from twenty years old and upward' reveal God's preparation for spiritual warfare in your own life?
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses and Eleazar the priest spake with them in the plains of Moab (עַרְבֹת מוֹאָב)—this second census occurs at the end of Israel's wilderness journey, nearly 40 years after the first census at Sinai (Numbers 1). The location by Jordan near Jericho places Israel on the threshold of conquest, poised to enter Canaan.
The census leadership transitions from Moses and Aaron (first census) to Moses and Eleazar—Aaron's son now serves as high priest after Aaron's death (Numbers 20:28). This generational shift mirrors the broader theme: the census counts a new generation born in the wilderness, for the original generation died under judgment (Numbers 14:29-35). The census prepares this new generation for conquest and land distribution.