Numbers 26:2 - Exposition

Take the sum of all the congregation. This was certainly not commanded with a view to the war against Midian, which was of no military importance, and was actually prosecuted with no more than 12,000 men ( Numbers 31:5 ). A general command to "vex the Midianites" had indeed been given ( Numbers 25:17 ) on the principle of just retribution (cf. 2 Thessalonians 1:6 ), but no attempt seems to have been made to act upon it until a more specific order was issued ( Numbers 31:2 ). In any case the present mustering has to do with something far more important, viz; with the approaching settlement of the people in its own territory. This is clear from the instructions given in Numbers 26:52-56 , and from the distribution of the tribes into families. From twenty years. See on Numbers 1:3 .