God’s Word Translation
Numbers 26:56
56Whether the tribes are large or small, the land must be divided by drawing lots.”
Numbers 26:56 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)According to the lot shall the possession thereof be divided between many and few.
- New International Version (NIV)Each inheritance is to be distributed by lot among the larger and smaller groups.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)Their inheritance shall be divided according to lot between the larger and the smaller."
- New King James Version (NKJV)According to the lot their inheritance shall be divided between the larger and the smaller.”
Context of Numbers 26:56
54Give more land to larger tribes and less land to smaller ones. Use the totals ⌞from the census⌟ in giving land to each tribe. 55But the land must be divided by drawing lots. The tribes will receive their land based on the names of their ancestors. Whether the tribes are large or small, the land must be divided by drawing lots.” 57The families descended from Levi were listed as the family of Gershon, the family of Kohath, and the family of Merari. 58These were the families of Levi: the Libnite family, the Hebronite family, the Mahlite family, the Mushite family, and the Korahite family. Kohath was the ancestor of Amram.
Read all of Numbers 26Numbers 26:56 word by word
עַל־פִּי֙ הַגּוֹרָ֔ל תֵּחָלֵ֖ק נַחֲלָת֑וֹ בֵּ֥ין רַ֖ב לִמְעָֽט׃ סRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Numbers 26:56
- Numbers 35:2“Tell the Israelites to give the Levites some cities from their own property. They must also give the Levites the pastureland around those cities.
- Genesis 46:11The sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- Exodus 6:16These are the names of the sons of Levi listed in birth order: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. Levi lived 137 years.
- 1 Chronicles 6:1Levi’s sons were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.
- Numbers 3:1This is the list of Aaron and Moses’ descendants at the time when the Lord spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai.
- Numbers 4:1The Lord said to Moses and Aaron,
Commentaries on Numbers 26:56
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 56According to the lot - This method was adopted not only in order to preclude jealousies and disputes, but also that the several tribes might regard the territories as determined for them by God Himself: compare Proverbs 16:33.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 52-56Verses 52-56 In distributing these tribes, the general rule of equity is prescribed; that to many should be given more, and to fewer less. Though it seems left to the prudence of their prince, the matter at last must be settled by the providence of God, with which all must be satisfied.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 52-56The second registration, like the first, was for military purposes. It also helped distribute land to Israel's tribes based on their populations (see Joshua 15–19). the land must be divided by lot: People used lots to seek guidance from God and prevent favoritism in important matters (for example, Numbers 27:21; 1 Samuel 10:20; 14:41–42; Proverbs 18:18; Acts 1:26).Read the comment
Topics related to Numbers 26:56
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Numbers 26
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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