Numbers 26:63
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.
Original Language Analysis
פָּֽקְד֜וּ
These are they that were numbered
H6485
פָּֽקְד֜וּ
These are they that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
2 of 15
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
הַכֹּהֵ֑ן
the priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֑ן
the priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
5 of 15
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
פָּֽקְד֜וּ
These are they that were numbered
H6485
פָּֽקְד֜וּ
These are they that were numbered
Strong's:
H6485
Word #:
7 of 15
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֤י
the children
H1121
בְּנֵ֤י
the children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת
in the plains
H6160
בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת
in the plains
Strong's:
H6160
Word #:
11 of 15
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
מוֹאָ֔ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֔ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
12 of 15
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 15
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Historical Context
The plains of Moab opposite Jericho was Israel's staging ground for conquest. From these plains, they would cross Jordan, circle Jericho, and begin taking the land. This census numbered the army that would conquer—not the army that refused at Kadesh-Barnea. The new generation finally did what the old generation wouldn't.
Questions for Reflection
- What significance does the shift from Moses-and-Aaron to Moses-and-Eleazar have for understanding generational transitions in leadership?
- How do the two census locations (Sinai and Moab) frame the wilderness period and demonstrate movement from law-giving to land-taking?
- What does God accomplish in the 'between' times—the 38 years between censuses—that prepares His people for the next assignment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest—the census concludes with the counters named. Moses, now 120, began the wilderness journey by counting Israel with Aaron (Numbers 1:3). Aaron died (Numbers 20:28); Eleazar replaced him. Generational transition affects even census takers. The baton passes, but the counting continues.
Who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho—geography matters. Forty years earlier, they were numbered at Sinai, pre-wandering. Now they're at Moab, pre-conquest. Same nation, different generation, different location. The census frames the wilderness period: it began with a count at Sinai, ends with a count at Moab. Between the two censuses: rebellion, judgment, death, but also God's faithfulness to preserve a remnant for His purposes.