Numbers 26:54
To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.
Original Language Analysis
לָרַ֗ב
To many
H7227
לָרַ֗ב
To many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
1 of 11
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
תַּרְבֶּה֙
thou shalt give the more
H7235
תַּרְבֶּה֙
thou shalt give the more
Strong's:
H7235
Word #:
2 of 11
to increase (in whatever respect)
נַֽחֲלָתֽוֹ׃
inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלָתֽוֹ׃
inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
וְלַמְעַ֕ט
and to few
H4592
וְלַמְעַ֕ט
and to few
Strong's:
H4592
Word #:
4 of 11
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
תַּמְעִ֖יט
thou shalt give the less
H4591
תַּמְעִ֖יט
thou shalt give the less
Strong's:
H4591
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, to pare off, i.e., lessen; intransitively, to be (or causatively, to make) small or few (or figuratively, ineffective)
נַֽחֲלָתֽוֹ׃
inheritance
H5159
נַֽחֲלָתֽוֹ׃
inheritance
Strong's:
H5159
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion
אִ֚ישׁ
to every one
H376
אִ֚ישׁ
to every one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
7 of 11
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
לְפִ֣י
according
H6310
לְפִ֣י
according
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
8 of 11
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
פְקֻדָ֔יו
to those that were numbered
H6485
פְקֻדָ֔יו
to those that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
9 of 11
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
Historical Context
The specific verse numbers from the census determined exactly how much land each tribe received. This objective standard prevented favoritism and provided transparent, verifiable justice. Future disputes could be resolved by reference to the census and lot, not by subjective claims or political maneuvering.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of means (census and lot) teach about providence working through natural processes?
- What does objective standard-setting prevent in terms of favoritism and corruption?
- In what ways should church decisions be based on transparent, verifiable information?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The repeated emphasis on proportional distribution—'according to those that were numbered of him shall his inheritance be given'—demonstrates that God's allocation is based on actual circumstances, not arbitrary preference. The census provided objective data for fair distribution. This teaches that God's providence operates through means, not apart from them. The Reformed doctrine of divine concurrence—God works through natural processes while sovereignly directing outcomes—is illustrated. The lot determined location; the census determined size.