New English Translation
Numbers 26:54
54To a larger group you will give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group you will give a smaller inheritance. To each one its inheritance must be given according to the number of people in it.
Numbers 26:54 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)To many thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to few thou shalt give the less inheritance: to every one shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.
- New International Version (NIV)To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one; each is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those listed.
- English Standard Version (ESV)To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance; every tribe shall be given its inheritance in proportion to its list.
- New King James Version (NKJV)To a large tribe you shall give a larger inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a smaller inheritance. Each shall be given its inheritance according to those who were numbered of them.
Context of Numbers 26:54
52Then the Lord spoke to Moses: 53“To these the land must be divided as an inheritance according to the number of the names. To a larger group you will give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group you will give a smaller inheritance. To each one its inheritance must be given according to the number of people in it. 55The land must be divided by lot; and they will inherit in accordance with the names of their ancestral tribes. 56Their inheritance must be apportioned by lot among the larger and smaller groups.
Read all of Numbers 26Numbers 26:54 word by word
לָרַ֗ב תַּרְבֶּה֙ נַחֲלָת֔וֹ וְלַמְעַ֕ט תַּמְעִ֖יט נַחֲלָת֑וֹ אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י פְקֻדָ֔יו יֻתַּ֖ן נַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- To manyרַבrab · manyH7227
- thou shalt give the moreרָבָהrâbâh · to multiplyH7235
- inheritanceנַחֲלָהnachălâh · inheritanceH5159
- and to fewמְעַטme‛aţ me‛âţ · littleH4592
- thou shalt give the lessמָעַטmâ‛aţ · to diminishH4591
- to every oneאִישׁ'îysh · man: anyoneH376
- be givenנָתַןnâthan · to give: giveH5414
- accordingפֶּהpeh · lip: accordingH6310
- to those that were numberedפָּקַדpâqad · to reckon: listH6485
Cross-references for Numbers 26:54
- Numbers 26:56Their inheritance must be apportioned by lot among the larger and smaller groups.
- Numbers 33:54You must divide the land by lot for an inheritance among your families. To a larger group you must give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group you must give a smaller inheritance. Everyone’s inheritance must be in the place where his lot falls. You must inherit according to your ancestral tribes.
- Numbers 34:13Then Moses commanded the Israelites: “This is the land which you will inherit by lot, which the Lord has commanded to be given to the nine and a half tribes,
- Joshua 11:23Joshua conquered the whole land, just as the Lord had promised Moses, and he assigned Israel their tribal portions. Then the land was free of war.
- Joshua 14:2The land assignments to the nine-and-a-half tribes were made by drawing lots, as the Lord had instructed Moses.
- Joshua 17:14The descendants of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you assigned us only one tribal allotment? After all, we have many people, for until now the Lord has enabled us to increase in number.”
- Joshua 18:6But as for you, map out the land into seven regions and bring it to me. I will draw lots for you here before the Lord our God.
- Joshua 19:1The second lot belonged to the tribe of Simeon by its clans.
- Joshua 19:17The fourth lot belonged to the tribe of Issachar by its clans.
- Proverbs 16:33The dice are thrown into the lap, but their every decision is from the Lord.
- Proverbs 18:18A toss of a coin ends disputes, and settles the issue between strong opponents.
- Acts 1:26Then they cast lots for them, and the one chosen was Matthias; so he was counted with the eleven apostles.
- Colossians 1:12giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.
- Revelation 7:4Now I heard the number of those who were marked with the seal, one hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed from all the tribes of the people of Israel:
Commentaries on Numbers 26:54
- 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
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 5454. To many thou shalt give the more inheritance--that is, to the more numerous tribes a larger allotment shall be granted. according to those that were numbered--the number of persons twenty years old at the time of the census being made, without taking into account either the increase of those who might have attained that age, when the land should be actually distributed, or the diminution from that amount, occasioned during the war of invasion.Read the comment
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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries