The renumbering of God’s people in this chapter took place immediately after the purification by the plague on the fornicators and idolaters (Num. 25:9). The first numbering had taken place in the wilderness of Sinai (Num. 1:1-2); the renumbering took place in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho (vv. 3, 63), i.e., at the entrance to the good land. The first numbering was for the formation of the army (1:3); the renumbering was for the inheriting of the land, signifying the enjoyment of Christ, through fighting (v. 53).

See note Num. 1:2¹.

See note Num. 1:17¹.

See note Num. 16:33¹, par. 2.

The numbering of some of the daughters (vv. 33, 46) was for the inheriting of the land (Num. 27:1-11).

The distributing of the land by lot (vv. 55-56) was according to the blessing under God’s sovereignty (see note Josh. 14:2^1a), whereas the distributing of the land according to the number of people (vv. 53-54) was a matter of human responsibility. Therefore, the distribution of the land depended both on human responsibility and on divine sovereignty.

See Lev. 10:1-2 and notes.

See note Num. 18:20¹.

With the exception of Caleb and Joshua (v. 65), all those in the first numbering, including Moses and Aaron, were not included in the renumbering.