Matthew Henry on Numbers 26:63–end
That which is observable in this conclusion of the account is the execution of the sentence passed upon the murmurers (Num 14:29), that not one of those who were numbered from twenty years old and upwards (and that the Levites were not, but either from a month old or from thirty years old to fifty) should enter Canaan, except Caleb and Joshua. In the muster now made particular directions, no doubt, were given to those of each tribe that were employed in taking the account, to compare these rolls with the former, and to observe whether there were any now left of those that were numbered at Mount Sinai, and it appeared that there was not one man numbered now that was numbered then except Caleb…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Numbers 26:62
twenty and three thousand--so that there was an increase of a thousand (Num 3:39).
males from a month old and upward--(See on Num 3:14).
John Gill on Numbers 26:63
These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest,.... That is, these were the Levites, their families, and the number of males in them, which was taken by Moses and Eleazar, who might be only concerned in numbering the Levites, of which tribe they were: and
who also numbered the children of Israel; all the tribes of them, with the assistance of their princes:
in the plains of Moab, by Jordan, near Jericho; as they were commanded by the Lord.
John Calvin on Numbers 26:63–end
These are they that were numbered. The former registration was made by Aaron. The difference between the two census is therefore specified, in order that Moses may take occasion to commemorate God's judgment, which can never be sufficiently considered, that of 600,000, only two were found who had survived to the term prescribed by God. If any should object that the greater part would have died naturally, since they had arrived at their thirtieth: fortieth, and even fiftieth year, [198] and thus would have been some eighty years old before the completion of the forty years, I admit that such is the case; but many had not yet reached their twenty-fourth year. Nor can we doubt but that not a fe…
