(37) Thirty and two thousand and five hundred.—This shows a decrease of 8,000. Jacob foretold that Ephraim should be greater than Manasseh (Genesis 48:19); and at the former census the number of the Ephraimites was considerably greater than that of the Manassites (Numbers 1:33; Numbers 1:35), and Ephraim was made a standard-bearer (Numbers 2:18). At the present census, however, the number of the Manassites exceeded that of the Ephraimites by 20,200; and yet, in the face of the great increase of Manasseh and the diminution of Ephraim, Moses renewed and confirmed the prediction of Jacob as to the ultimate superiority of Ephraim, and whilst ascribing only “thousands” to Manasseh, he speaks of the “ten thousands of Ephraim” (Deuteronomy 33:17).

Numbers 26:37-38. The sons of Ephraim — Ephraim, though in future times a tribe flourishing much more than its brother-tribe Manasseh, (Deuteronomy 33:17,) was now, for some cause, it appears, upon the declension, their poll being decreased eight thousand. See Numbers 1:33. The sons of Benjamin — When they went into Egypt the sons of Benjamin were ten, Genesis 46:21. Half of these, it seems, had no children, or their families were become extinct, as only five are here named. In amends for the rest, two of his grand-children by the eldest, Bela, namely, Ard and Naaman, became heads of very large families; so that, upon the whole, the sons of Benjamin had increased since the last poll ten thousand two hundred. Compare Numbers 26:41 with chap Numbers 1:37.

26:1-51 Moses did not number the people but when God commanded him. We have here the families registered, as well as the tribes. The total was nearly the same as when numbered at mount Sinai. Notice is here taken of the children of Korah; they died not, as the children of Dathan and Abiram; they seem not to have joined even their own father in rebellion. If we partake not of the sins of sinners, we shall not partake of their plagues.The children of Korah died not - Compare Numbers 26:58. Samuel the prophet was of this family, and Heman, "the king's seer" 1 Chronicles 6:22, 1 Chronicles 6:33; 1 Chronicles 25:5. Several of the Psalms appear from the titles to have been composed for the sons of Korah: compare titles of Psalm 42:1-11; 44; 45, etc. 12. The sons of Simeon—It is supposed that this tribe had been pre-eminent in the guilt of Baal-peor and had consequently been greatly reduced in numbers.

Thus God's justice and holiness, as well as His truth and faithfulness, were strikingly displayed: His justice and holiness in the sweeping judgments that reduced the ranks of some tribes; and His truth and faithfulness in the extraordinary increase of others so that the posterity of Israel continued a numerous people.

No text from Poole on this verse.

These are the sons of Ephrain, after their families,.... Which were but three, the Shuthalhite, the Bachrite, and the Tahanite, only from the former sprung another family, called the Eranite; the number of the whole was 32,500; there was a decrease in this tribe of 8000. These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those that were numbered of them, thirty and two thousand and five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph after their families.