Numbers 26:51
These were the numbered of the children of Israel, six hundred thousand and a thousand seven hundred and thirty.
Original Language Analysis
פְּקוּדֵי֙
These were the numbered
H6485
פְּקוּדֵי֙
These were the numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 11
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
of the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
שֵׁשׁ
six
H8337
שֵׁשׁ
six
Strong's:
H8337
Word #:
5 of 11
six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth
וָאָ֑לֶף
and a thousand
H505
וָאָ֑לֶף
and a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
7 of 11
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וָאָ֑לֶף
and a thousand
H505
וָאָ֑לֶף
and a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
8 of 11
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
שְׁבַ֥ע
seven
H7651
שְׁבַ֥ע
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
9 of 11
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
Historical Context
The relative stability in total numbers despite generational turnover suggests high birth rates balancing judgment deaths. Some tribes increased (Manasseh, Asher) while others decreased dramatically (Simeon dropped from 59,300 to 22,200). Tribal fortunes reflected varying degrees of faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- What evidence in your life demonstrates God's fulfilled warnings or promises?
- How do you respond when you see measurable consequences of sin in your community?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The total count was 601,730 men—slightly fewer than the 603,550 counted forty years earlier (1:46). Despite forty years of births, the number barely changed, testifying to the massive death toll from judgment. This demographic evidence confirmed God's word: that generation died in the wilderness. Numbers don't lie; God's judgments are real and measurable.