Numbers 26:25

These are the families of Issachar according to those that were numbered of them, threescore and four thousand and three hundred.

The verse records the families of Issachar in Israel's second census, numbering 64,300 adult males, men and people counted. That second numbering was taken in the plains of Moab near the end of Israel's forty years in the wilderness, nearly forty years after leaving Egypt just before entering Canaan. It came thirty-eight years after the census at Sinai and forty years after the first numbering.

The census was taken by Moses at the Lord's command, as one of two commanded censuses that brought no trouble. Issachar increased by 9,900 from the 54,400 counted soon after leaving Egypt, while the whole nation of adult males changed little from 603,550 to 601,730 though the separate tribes changed considerably. The verse is to be compared with the first numbering in Numbers 1 to show the difference in the tribes after the wandering, which tribes gained or lost, how some fell off and others increased, some growing greatly while others declined.

As part of that diversified reading, the comparison holds valuable instruction and is of interest and profit. The second census showed God's threatened judgment had been fulfilled, for all those counted in the first census had died in the wilderness except Caleb and Joshua. That death in the wilderness was brought by Israel's rebellion and sin.