Of Zerah, the family of the Zarhites: of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites.
This entry names the descendants of Zerah as the Zarhite family and the descendants of Shaul as the Shaulite family in the census of Israel. It belongs to the second numbering of Israel, taken after the whole first numbered generation had died in the wilderness except Caleb and Joshua. Its list shows that not one rebellious man remained alive, proving that God fulfills his threatened judgments.
The second numbering was made at the end and close of the forty years of wandering, forty years after the first census in Numbers 1. It was taken just before entering Canaan, nearly thirty-eight years after the numbering soon after leaving Egypt. It was taken in the plains of Moab thirty-eight years after the census at Sinai.
It follows the same tribal order of numbering as the first numbering and gives a definite number of men of a certain age by family. It is to be set beside and compared with the first numbering in Numbers 1, also described as Numbers 1, 2, 3, to show the renewed count and the differences among the tribes. That comparison shows how some tribes fell off in number and how others increased, how the tribes gained and lost during the wilderness journey.
It records the families from Zerah and Shaul toward Simeon's total of 22,200 adult males, down 37,100 from 59,300 in the first numbering. This shrinking by almost two-thirds is the most remarkable decrease among the tribes and fulfills Jacob's dying blessing that Simeon should be divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel. Moses twice numbered the people at God's command, in contrast to David's census taken without the Lord's consent.
The first generation failed and was shut out of the land of promise by God's oath because sin was in their midst and broke out in open, wanton rebellion against God, dooming them to die in the wilderness. The second list therefore teaches those upon whom the ends of the world are come that strong hope of the kingdom and great tokens of God's favor, presence, and willingness to save do not save if sin is carried in the heart. Cherished sin inevitably brings ruin.
This entry names the descendants of Zerah as the Zarhite family and the descendants of Shaul as the Shaulite family in the census of Israel. It belongs to the second numbering of Israel, taken after the whole first numbered generation had died in the wilderness except Caleb and Joshua. Its list shows that not one rebellious man remained alive, proving that God fulfills his threatened judgments.
The second numbering was made at the end and close of the forty years of wandering, forty years after the first census in Numbers 1. It was taken just before entering Canaan, nearly thirty-eight years after the numbering soon after leaving Egypt. It was taken in the plains of Moab thirty-eight years after the census at Sinai.
It follows the same tribal order of numbering as the first numbering and gives a definite number of men of a certain age by family. It is to be set beside and compared with the first numbering in Numbers 1, also described as Numbers 1, 2, 3, to show the renewed count and the differences among the tribes. That comparison shows how some tribes fell off in number and how others increased, how the tribes gained and lost during the wilderness journey.
It records the families from Zerah and Shaul toward Simeon's total of 22,200 adult males, down 37,100 from 59,300 in the first numbering. This shrinking by almost two-thirds is the most remarkable decrease among the tribes and fulfills Jacob's dying blessing that Simeon should be divided in Jacob and scattered in Israel. Moses twice numbered the people at God's command, in contrast to David's census taken without the Lord's consent.
The first generation failed and was shut out of the land of promise by God's oath because sin was in their midst and broke out in open, wanton rebellion against God, dooming them to die in the wilderness. The second list therefore teaches those upon whom the ends of the world are come that strong hope of the kingdom and great tokens of God's favor, presence, and willingness to save do not save if sin is carried in the heart. Cherished sin inevitably brings ruin.