King James Version

What Does Numbers 26:63 Mean?

Numbers 26:63 in the King James Version says “These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of ... — study this verse from Numbers chapter 26 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.

Numbers 26:63 · KJV


Context

61

And Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.

62

And those that were numbered of them were twenty and three thousand, all males from a month old and upward: for they were not numbered among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel.

63

These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho.

64

But among these there was not a man of them whom Moses and Aaron the priest numbered, when they numbered the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai.

65

For the LORD had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. And there was not left a man of them, save Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
These are they that were numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest—the census concludes with the counters named. Moses, now 120, began the wilderness journey by counting Israel with Aaron (Numbers 1:3). Aaron died (Numbers 20:28); Eleazar replaced him. Generational transition affects even census takers. The baton passes, but the counting continues.

Who numbered the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho—geography matters. Forty years earlier, they were numbered at Sinai, pre-wandering. Now they're at Moab, pre-conquest. Same nation, different generation, different location. The census frames the wilderness period: it began with a count at Sinai, ends with a count at Moab. Between the two censuses: rebellion, judgment, death, but also God's faithfulness to preserve a remnant for His purposes.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The plains of Moab opposite Jericho was Israel's staging ground for conquest. From these plains, they would cross Jordan, circle Jericho, and begin taking the land. This census numbered the army that would conquer—not the army that refused at Kadesh-Barnea. The new generation finally did what the old generation wouldn't.

Reflection Questions

  1. What significance does the shift from Moses-and-Aaron to Moses-and-Eleazar have for understanding generational transitions in leadership?
  2. How do the two census locations (Sinai and Moab) frame the wilderness period and demonstrate movement from law-giving to land-taking?
  3. What does God accomplish in the 'between' times—the 38 years between censuses—that prepares His people for the next assignment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אֵ֚לֶּה1 of 15
H428

these or those

פָּֽקְד֜וּ2 of 15

These are they that were numbered

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

מֹשֶׁ֔ה3 of 15

by Moses

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

וְאֶלְעָזָ֖ר4 of 15

and Eleazar

H499

elazar, the name of seven israelites

הַכֹּהֵ֑ן5 of 15

the priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר6 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

פָּֽקְד֜וּ7 of 15

These are they that were numbered

H6485

to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc

אֶת8 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּנֵ֤י9 of 15

the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵל֙10 of 15

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת11 of 15

in the plains

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

מוֹאָ֔ב12 of 15

of Moab

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

עַ֖ל13 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

יַרְדֵּ֥ן14 of 15

by Jordan

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

יְרֵחֽוֹ׃15 of 15

near Jericho

H3405

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Numbers. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Numbers 26:63 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Numbers 26:63 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study