Numbers 26:58

These are the families of the Levites: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korathites. And Kohath begat Amram.

Numbers 26 records Israel's second census in the wilderness, taken at the close and near the end of the forty years of wandering, forty years after the first numbering in Numbers 1. In that second numbering this verse lists the families of the Levites. The Levites were scattered among Israel rather than receiving a tribal territory, fulfilling Jacob's words that Levi would be divided and scattered.

The second numbering is to be compared with the first numbering in Numbers 1 to show how the tribes changed in number during the wilderness journey. The comparison shows differences among the tribes, with some decreasing and others increasing, some gaining and others losing population. The tribes that were more faithful to God increased greatly, while others declined.

The cause of the terrible failure of the first generation was wickedness, with sin in their midst breaking out in open, wanton rebellion against God, so that by a solemn oath He excluded them from the land and doomed them to die in the wilderness. The census shows that threatened judgment was fulfilled, for not one man numbered the first time was alive to witness the second numbering except Caleb and Joshua. All the others who had rebelled had fallen and died in the wilderness.

The second numbering was meant to impress the people that God will fulfill His threatened judgments. It stands as a warning that sin leads to ruin and that receiving God's favor and promises does not make rebellion harmless. Together with the various laws and ordinances around it, the passage gives valuable instruction as part of diversified reading of interest and profit.

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