Numbers 26:53

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Numbers 26:53 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.
Numbers 26:53 — American Standard Version

Context — Numbers 26

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
53Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Unto these the land shall be divided for an inheritance, etc.] That were numbered, and to none else: according to the number of their names; and for this end was the number of them now taken, that the land might be equally divided among them; women and minors, or such as were under twenty years of age, had no share in it; and even only those who were at that age at this time; so Jarchi says, it was not divided to any that were less than twenty years of age, even though they came to be full twenty before the division of the land; for they were seven years subduing it, and seven years dividing it, yet none took any part of it but these 601,730: nay, he says, if a man had six children they took…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the land shall be divided according to the number of names--The portion of each tribe was to be greater or less, according to its populousness.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The land shall be divided - The land was divided into nine parts and an half, respect being had in such division to the goodness as well as to the largeness of the several portions, and the lot gave each tribe their part. Of names - Of persons, the share of each tribe was divided amongst the several families, to some more, to some less, according to the number of the persons of each family. And withal, if one of the portions proved too large or too little for the families and persons of that tribe, they might give part of their portion to another tribe, (as Simeon and Dan had part of Judah's share) or take away a part from the portion belonging to another tribe. Numbers 26:55”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Gen 12:2, Gen 12:7; Jos 11:23, Jos 14:1; Psa 49:14, Psa 105:44; Eze 47:22; Dan 7:27; Mat 5:5; Rev 5:10, Rev 21:27 Numbers 26:54”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification