Chapter 26

1It was after the plague, that the Lord spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the kohen, saying:   אוַיְהִ֖י אַֽחֲרֵ֣י הַמַּגֵּפָ֑ה (פ באמצע פסוק) וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהֹוָה֙ אֶל־משֶׁ֔ה וְאֶ֧ל אֶלְעָזָ֛ר בֶּן־אַֽהֲרֹ֥ן הַכֹּהֵ֖ן לֵאמֹֽר:
It was after the plague. This can be compared to a shepherd whose flock was intruded by wolves who killed some of them [his sheep]. He counted them to know how many were left. Another interpretation: When they left Egypt and were entrusted to Moses, they were delivered to him with a number. Now that he was close to death and would soon have to return his flock, he returns them with a number. — [Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 4, Num. Rabbah 21:7]   וַיְהִי אַֽחֲרֵי הַמַּגֵּפָה וגו'.  מָשָׁל לְרוֹעֶה שֶׁנִּכְנְסוּ זְאֵבִים לְתוֹךְ עֶדְרוֹ וְהָרְגוּ בָהֶן וְהוּא מוֹנֶה אוֹתָן לֵידַע מִנְיַן הַנּוֹתָרוֹת; דָּבָר אַחֵר — כְּשֶׁיָּצְאוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם וְנִמְסְרוּ לְמֹשֶׁה נִמְסְרוּ לוֹ בְּמִנְיָן, עַכְשָׁו שֶׁקָּרַב לָמוּת וּלְהַחֲזִיר צֹאנוֹ מַחֲזִירָן בְּמִנְיָן (תנחומא):
2Take a census of all the congregation of the children of Israel from twenty years old and upwards, following their fathers' houses, all that are fit to go out to war in Israel.   בשְׂא֞וּ אֶת־רֹ֣אשׁ | כָּל־עֲדַ֣ת בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל מִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֛ה וָמַ֖עְלָה לְבֵ֣ית אֲבֹתָ֑ם כָּל־יֹצֵ֥א צָבָ֖א בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
following their fathers’ houses. Their lineage followed their father’s tribe, not their mother’s. — [B.B. 109b]   לְבֵית אֲבֹתָם.  עַל שֵׁבֶט הָאָב יִתְיַחֲסוּ וְלֹא אַחַר הָאֵם (בבא בתרא ק"ט):
3Moses and Eleazar the kohen spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying:   גוַיְדַבֵּ֨ר משֶׁ֜ה וְאֶלְעָזָ֧ר הַכֹּהֵ֛ן אֹתָ֖ם בְּעַרְבֹ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב עַל־יַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵח֖וֹ לֵאמֹֽר:
Moses and Eleazar the kohen spoke with them. They spoke with them concerning this, namely that the Omnipresent had commanded to count them.   וַיְדַבֵּר משֶׁה וְאֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן אֹתָם.  דִּבְּרוּ עִמָּם עַל זֹאת שֶׁצִּוָּה הַמָּקוֹם לִמְנוֹתָם:
saying. They said to them, “You must be counted.”   לֵאמֹֽר.  אָמְרוּ לָהֶם צְרִיכִים אַתֶּם לִמָּנוֹת מבן עשרים שנה ומעלה:
4"From the age of twenty and upward, as the Lord commanded Moses and the children of Israel who had come out of Egypt."   דמִבֶּ֛ן עֶשְׂרִ֥ים שָׁנָ֖ה וָמָ֑עְלָה כַּֽאֲשֶׁר֩ צִוָּ֨ה יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־משֶׁה֙ וּבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל הַיֹּֽצְאִ֖ים מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרָֽיִם:
From the age of twenty and upward, as the Lord commanded…. that they be counted from the age of twenty and upwards, as it says, “Everyone who goes through the counting, [from the age of twenty and upward]” (Exod. 30:14).   כַּֽאֲשֶׁר צִוָּה וגו'.  שֶׁיְּהֵא מִנְיָנָם מִבֶּן עֶשְֹרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כָּל הָעֹבֵר עַל הַפְּקֻדִים" וגו' (שמות ל'):
5Reuben, Israel's firstborn: The descendants of Reuben were: the family of the Hanochites from Hanoch; the family of the Paluites from Palu,   הרְאוּבֵ֖ן בְּכ֣וֹר יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל בְּנֵ֣י רְאוּבֵ֗ן חֲנוֹךְ֙ מִשְׁפַּ֣חַת הַֽחֲנֹכִ֔י לְפַלּ֕וּא מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַפַּלֻּאִֽי:
the family of the Hanochites. Heb. מִשְׁפַּחַת הַחֲנֹכִי. Since the nations were denigrating them and saying, “How can they trace their lineage by their tribes? Do they think that the Egyptians did not exploit their mothers? If they mastered their bodies, all the more so [did they exercise authority over] their wives. Therefore, the Holy One, blessed is He, appended His Name to them, the [letter] ‘hey’ to one side and the ‘yud’ to the other side, as if to say, ”I bear witness for them, that these are the sons of their fathers.“ This is stated explicitly by David, ”the tribes of God, (יָהּ) testimony to Israel" (Ps. 122:4)-this Name (יָהּ) testifies for them regarding their tribes. For this reason, in each of them Scripture writes, הַחִנֹכִי, הַפַּלֻּאֵי [the Hanochites, the Paluites in which each name begins with a ‘hey’ and ends with a 'yud’] (Song Rabbah 4:12; Pesikta d’Rav Kahana p.82b, 93a), but in the case of Jimnah יִמְנָה, it is unnecessary for it to say [for the family of the Jimnites,] מִשְׁפַּחַת הַיִּמְנִי [only הַיִּמְנָה מִשְׁפַּחַת], since the Divine Name is already affixed to it-the ‘yud’ at the beginning and the ‘hey’ at the end. — [Mid. Aggadah]   מִשְׁפַּחַת הַֽחֲנֹכִי.  לְפִי שֶׁהָיוּ הָאֻמּוֹת מְבַזִּין אוֹתָם וְאוֹמְרִים מָה אֵלּוּ מִתְיַחֲסִין עַל שִׁבְטֵיהֶם? סְבוּרִים הֵם שֶׁלֹּא שָׁלְטוּ הַמִּצְרִיִּים בְּאִמּוֹתֵיהֶם? אִם בְּגוּפָם הָיוּ מוֹשְׁלִים, קַל וָחֹמֶר בִּנְשׁוֹתֵיהֶם, לְפִיכָךְ הִטִּיל הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא שְׁמוֹ עֲלֵיהֶם — ה"א מִצַּד זֶה וְיוֹ"ד מִצַּד זֶה — לוֹמַר, מֵעִיד אֲנִי עֲלֵיהֶם שֶׁהֵם בְּנֵי אֲבוֹתֵיהֶם, וְזֶה הוּא שֶׁמְּפֹרָשׁ עַל יְדֵי דָוִד (תהילים קכ"ב) "שִׁבְטֵי יָהּ עֵדוּת לְיִשְׂרָאֵל" — הַשֵּׁם הַזֶּה מֵעִיד עֲלֵיהֶם לְשִׁבְטֵיהֶם, לְפִיכָךְ בְּכֻלָּם כָּתַב הַחֲנֹכִי, הַפַּלֻּאִי, אֲבָל בְּיִמְנָה לֹא הֻצְרַךְ לוֹמַר "מִשְׁפַּחַת הַיִּמְנִי" לְפִי שֶׁהַשֵּׁם קָבוּעַ בּוֹ — יוֹ"ד בָּרֹאשׁ וה"א בַּסּוֹף (ילקוט שמעוני):
6the family of the Hezronites from Hezron, and the family of the Carmites from Carmi.   ולְחֶצְרֹ֕ן מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַֽחֶצְרוֹנִ֑י לְכַרְמִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַכַּרְמִֽי:
7These were the families of the Reubenites, and they numbered forty three thousand, seven hundred and thirty.   זאֵ֖לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הָרֽאוּבֵנִ֑י וַיִּֽהְי֣וּ פְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֗ם שְׁלשָׁ֤ה וְאַרְבָּעִים֙ אֶ֔לֶף וּשְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת וּשְׁלשִֽׁים:
8The sons of Palu were Eliab.   חוּבְנֵ֥י פַלּ֖וּא אֱלִיאָֽב:
9The sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan and Abiram they are Dathan and Abiram, the chosen of the congregation who incited against Moses and Aaron in the assembly of Korah, when they incited against the Lord.   טוּבְנֵ֣י אֱלִיאָ֔ב נְמוּאֵ֖ל וְדָתָ֣ן וַֽאֲבִירָ֑ם הֽוּא־דָתָ֨ן וַֽאֲבִירָ֜ם קְרִיאֵ֣י (כתיב קרואי) הָֽעֵדָ֗ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִצּ֜וּ עַל־משֶׁ֤ה וְעַל־אַֽהֲרֹן֙ בַּֽעֲדַת־קֹ֔רַח בְּהַצֹּתָ֖ם עַל־יְהֹוָֽה:
who incited. Israel against Moses and Aaron.   אֲשֶׁר הִצּוּ.  אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל על משה:
when they incited. The people against the Lord.   בְּהַצֹּתָם.  אֶת הָעָם על ה':
incited. Heb. הִצּוּ. They enticed Israel to quarrel with Moses, a causative term.   הִצּוּ.  הִשִּׂיאוּ אֶת יִשְׂרָאֵל לָרִיב עַל מֹשֶׁה, לְשׁוֹן הִפְעִילוּ:
10And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and Korah, when that assembly died, and when fire destroyed two hundred and fifty men, and they became a sign.   יוַתִּפְתַּ֨ח הָאָ֜רֶץ אֶת־פִּ֗יהָ וַתִּבְלַ֥ע אֹתָ֛ם וְאֶת־קֹ֖רַח בְּמ֣וֹת הָֽעֵדָ֑ה בַּֽאֲכֹ֣ל הָאֵ֗שׁ אֵ֣ת חֲמִשִּׁ֤ים וּמָאתַ֨יִם֙ אִ֔ישׁ וַיִּֽהְי֖וּ לְנֵֽס:
and they became a sign. A sign and a reminder, “so that no outsider, who is not of the seed of Aaron, shall approach” (above 17:5) to dispute the kehunah any more.   וַיִּֽהְיוּ לְנֵֽס.  לְאוֹת וּלְזִכָּרוֹן, "לְמַעַן אֲשֶׁר לֹא יִקְרַב אִישׁ זָר" (במדבר י"ז) לַחֲלֹק עוֹד עַל הַכְּהֻנָּה:
11Korah's sons, however, did not die.   יאוּבְנֵי־קֹ֖רַח לֹא־מֵֽתוּ:
Korah’s sons, however, did not die. They were originally involved in the conspiracy, but during the dispute they contemplated repentance; therefore, an elevated area was set apart for them in Gehinnom, and they stayed there. — [Sanh. 110b]   וּבְנֵי־קֹרַח לֹא־מֵֽתוּ.  הֵם הָיוּ בָעֵצָה תְּחִלָּה, וּבִשְׁעַת הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת הִרְהֲרוּ תְשׁוּבָה בְלִבָּם, לְפִיכָךְ נִתְבַּצֵּר לָהֶם מָקוֹם גָּבוֹהַ בַּגֵיהִנּוֹם וְיָשְׁבוּ שָׁם (סנהדרין ק"י):
12The descendants of Simeon according to their families: the family of the Nemuelites from Nemuel, the family of the Jaminites from Jamin, the family of the Jachinites from Jachin,   יבבְּנֵ֣י שִׁמְעוֹן֘ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לִנְמוּאֵ֗ל מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַנְּמ֣וּאֵלִ֔י לְיָמִ֕ין מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַיָּֽמִינִ֑י לְיָכִ֕ין מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַיָּֽכִינִֽי:
13the family of the Zerahites from Zerah, the family of the Shaulites from Shaul.   יגלְזֶ֕רַח מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַזַּרְחִ֑י לְשָׁא֕וּל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשָּֽׁאוּלִֽי:
from Zerah. This was Zohar [see Exod. 6:15], a name derived from the word צֹהַר, which means shining [a synonym of זֶרַח, Zerah]. However, the family of Ohad [mentioned in Exodus] died out, as did five from the tribe of Benjamin. For he came to Egypt with ten sons, but only five are listed here. So it was with Ezbon of the tribe of Gad, so [altogether] seven families [no longer existed]. I found [the reason for this] in the Talmud Yerushalmi [Sotah 1:1]. When Aaron died, the clouds of glory withdrew, and the Canaanites came to fight against Israel. They [the Israelites] set their hearts on returning to Egypt, and they went back eight stages of their journey [compare 21:4], from Mount Hor to Moserah, as it says, “The children of Israel journeyed from the wells of Benei Yaakan to Moserah; there Aaron died” (Deut. 10:6). Now did he not die at Mount Hor? And [furthermore,] going back from Moserah to Mount Hor there are eight stages in the journey! However, they turned back, and the Levites pursued them to bring them back, killing seven of their families. The Levites lost four families [in the battle]: the families of the Shimeites and the Uzzielites, and of the three sons of Izhar, only the family of the Korahites is mentioned. I do not know [the identity of] the fourth one. R. Tanchuma expounds that they [the seven Israelite families] fell in the plague in connection with Balaam [see 25:9] (Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 5), but [this cannot be, for] according to the number missing from the tribe of Simeon in this census compared with the first census [which took place] in the Sinai desert, it would appear that all twenty-four thousand who fell [in the plague] were from the tribe of Simeon. - [Mid. Tanchuma Vayechi 10]   לְזֶרַח.  הוּא צֹחַר, לְשׁוֹן צֹהַר, אֲבָל מִשְׁפַּחַת אֹהַד בָּטְלָה, וְכֵן חָמֵשׁ מִשֵּׁבֶט בִּנְיָמִין, שֶׁהֲרֵי בַּעֲשָׂרָה בָנִים יָרַד לְמִצְרַיִם וְכָאן לֹא מָנָה אֶלָּא חֲמִשָּׁה, וְכֵן אֶצְבּוֹן לְגָד, הֲרֵי שֶׁבַע מִשְׁפָּחוֹת (תנחומא); וּמָצָאתִי בְתַלְמוּד יְרוּשַׁלְמִי שֶׁכְּשֶׁמֵּת אַהֲרֹן נִסְתַּלְּקוּ עַנְנֵי כָבוֹד, וּבָאוּ הַכְּנַעֲנִים לְהִלָּחֵם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, וְנָתְנוּ לֵב לַחֲזֹר לְמִצְרַיִם, וְחָזְרוּ לַאֲחוֹרֵיהֶם שְׁמוֹנֶה מַסָּעוֹת — מֵהֹר הָהָר לְמוֹסֵרָה — שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "וּבְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל נָסְעוּ מִבְּאֵרֹת בְּנֵי יַעֲקָן מוֹסֵרָה שָׁם מֵת אַהֲרֹן" (דברים י'), וַהֲלֹא בְהֹר הָהָר מֵת וּמִמּוֹסֵרָה עַד הֹר הָהָר שְׁמוֹנֶה מַסָּעוֹת יֵשׁ לְמַפְרֵעַ? אֶלָּא שֶׁחָזְרוּ לַאֲחוֹרֵיהֶם וְרָדְפוּ בְנֵי לֵוִי אַחֲרֵיהֶם לְהַחֲזִירָם וְהָרְגוּ מֵהֶם שֶׁבַע מִשְׁפָּחוֹת, וּמִבְּנֵי לֵוִי נָפְלוּ אַרְבַּע מִשְׁפָּחוֹת: מִשְׁפַּחַת שִׁמְעִי וְעֻזִּיאֵלִי, וּמִבְּנֵי יִצְהָר לֹא נִמְנוּ כָּאן אֶלָּא מִשְׁפַּחַת הַקָּרְחִי, וְהָרְבִיעִית לֹא יָדַעְתִּי מַה הִיא (תלמוד ירושלמי סוטה א'); וְרַבִּי תַּנְחוּמָא דָרַשׁ שֶׁמֵּתוּ בַּמַּגֵּפָה בִּדְבַר בִּלְעָם, אֲבָל לְפִי הַחִסָּרוֹן שֶׁחָסַר מִשֵּׁבֶט שִׁמְעוֹן בְּמִנְיָן זֶה מִמִּנְיָן הָרִאשׁוֹן שֶׁבְּמִדְבַּר סִינַי, נִרְאֶה שֶׁכָּל כ"ד אֶלֶף נָפְלוּ מִשִּׁבְטוֹ שֶׁל שִׁמְעוֹן:
14These were the families of the Simeonites twenty two thousand and two hundred.   ידאֵ֖לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת הַשִּׁמְעֹנִ֑י שְׁנַ֧יִם וְעֶשְׂרִ֛ים אֶ֖לֶף וּמָאתָֽיִם:
15The descendants of Gad according to their families: the family of the Zefonites from Zefon, the family of the Haggites from Haggi, the family of the Shunites from Shuni,   טובְּנֵ֣י גָד֘ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לִצְפ֗וֹן מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַצְּפוֹנִ֔י לְחַגִּ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַֽחַגִּ֑י לְשׁוּנִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשּׁוּנִֽי:
16the family of the Oznites from Ozni, the family of the Erites from Eri,   טזלְאָזְנִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָֽאָזְנִ֑י לְעֵרִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָֽעֵרִֽי:
from Ozni. I believe that this was the family of Ezbon (see Gen. 46:16), but I do not know why his family was not called after him.   לְאָזְנִי.  אוֹמֵר אֲנִי שֶׁזּוֹ מִשְׁפַּחַת אֶצְבּוֹן (בראשית מ"ו), וְאֵינִי יוֹדֵעַ לָמָּה לֹא נִקְרֵאת מִשְׁפַּחְתּוֹ עַל שְׁמוֹ:
17the family of the Arodites from Arod, the family of the Arelites from Areli.   יזלַֽאֲר֕וֹד מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָֽאֲרוֹדִ֑י לְאַ֨רְאֵלִ֔י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָֽאַרְאֵלִֽי:
18These were families of Gad according to those of them counted, forty thousand and five hundred.   יחאֵ֛לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת בְּנֵי־גָ֖ד לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם אַרְבָּעִ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת:
19The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan.   יטבְּנֵ֥י יְהוּדָ֖ה עֵ֣ר וְאוֹנָ֑ן וַיָּ֥מָת עֵ֛ר וְאוֹנָ֖ן בְּאֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן:
20The descendants of Judah according to their families: the family of the Shelanites from Shelah, the family of the Perezites from Perez, the family of the Zerahites from Zerah.   כוַיִּֽהְי֣וּ בְנֵֽי־יְהוּדָה֘ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לְשֵׁלָ֗ה מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַשֵּׁ֣לָנִ֔י לְפֶ֕רֶץ מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַפַּרְצִ֑י לְזֶ֕רַח מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַזַּרְחִֽי:
21The descendants of Perez were: the family of the Hezronites from Hezron, the family of the Hamulites from Hamul.   כאוַיִּֽהְי֣וּ בְנֵי־פֶ֔רֶץ לְחֶצְרֹ֕ן מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַֽחֶצְרֹנִ֑י לְחָמ֕וּל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הֶחָֽמוּלִֽי:
22These were the families of Judah according to those of them counted, seventy six thousand and five hundred.   כבאֵ֛לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת יְהוּדָ֖ה לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם שִׁשָּׁ֧ה וְשִׁבְעִ֛ים אֶ֖לֶף וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת:
23The descendants of Issachar according to their families: the family of the Tolaites from Tola, the family of the Punites from Puvah,   כגבְּנֵ֤י יִשָּׂשכָר֙ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔ם תּוֹלָ֕ע מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַתּֽוֹלָעִ֑י לְפֻוָּ֕ה מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַפּוּנִֽי:
24the family of the Jashubites from Jashub, the family of the Shimronites from Shimron.   כדלְיָשׁ֕וּב מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַיָּֽשֻׁבִ֑י לְשִׁמְרֹ֕ן מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשִּׁמְרֹנִֽי:
from Jashub. This is Job listed among those who migrated to Egypt (Gen. 46:13), for all the families were named after those who migrated to Egypt, but as for those born from that time on, their families were not called after them except for the families of Ephraim and Manasseh-all of whom were born in Egypt-and Ard and Naaman, the sons of Bela the son of Benjamin. I found in the writings of R. Moshe Hadarshan [the preacher], that their [Ard and Naaman’s] mother migrated to Egypt while she was pregnant with them, and that is why they formed separate families just as did Hezron and Hamul-who were Judah’s grandsons-and Heber and Malchiel, who were Asher’s grandchildren. If this is an Aggadah, all well and good, [we must accept it,] but if not, I maintain that Bela had numerous grandchildren, and from two of them-Ard and Naaman-two large families issued, and the descendants of all the other children were called after Bela’s name, whereas the descendants of these two were called after them [i.e. Ard and Naaman]. Similarly, I maintain that the sons of Machir were divided into two families, one was called after him and one was called after his son Gilead. Five families are missing from the sons of Benjamin, and here the prophecy of his mother [Rachel] was partially fulfilled. She called him Ben Oni, the son of my mourning. As a result of the incident of the concubine at Gibeah (see Jud. 20: 35), it was completely fulfilled [as nearly the entire tribe was wiped out]. I found this in the writings of R. Moshe Hadarshan [the preacher].   לְיָשׁוּב.  הוּא יוֹב הָאָמוּר בְּיוֹרְדֵי מִצְרַיִם, כִּי כָל הַמִּשְׁפָּחוֹת נִקְרְאוּ עַל שֵׁם יוֹרְדֵי מִצְרַיִם, וְהַנּוֹלָדִין מִשָּׁם וָהָלְאָה לֹא נִקְרְאוּ הַמִּשְׁפָּחוֹת עַל שְׁמָם, חוּץ מִמִּשְׁפְּחוֹת אֶפְרַיִם וּמְנַשֶּׁה שֶׁנּוֹלְדוּ כֻלָּם בְּמִצְרַיִם, וְאַרְדְּ וְנַעֲמָן בְּנֵי בֶלַע בֶּן בִּנְיָמִין; וּמָצָאתִי בִיסוֹדוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי מֹשֶׁה הַדַּרְשָׁן, שֶׁיָּרְדָה אִמָּן מִמִּצְרַיִם כְּשֶׁהָיְתָה מְעֻבֶּרֶת מֵהֶם, לְכָךְ נֶחְלְקוּ לְמִשְׁפָּחוֹת כְּחֶצְרוֹן וְחָמוּל שֶׁהָיוּ בְנֵי בָנִים לִיהוּדָה, וְחֶבֶר וּמַלְכִּיאֵל שֶׁהָיוּ בְנֵי בָנִים שֶׁל אָשֵׁר; וְאִם אַגָּדָה הִיא הֲרֵי טוֹב, וְאִם לָאו, אוֹמֵר אֲנִי שֶׁהָיוּ לְבֶלַע בְּנֵי בָנִים הַרְבֵּה, וּמִשְּׁנַיִם הַלָּלוּ, אַרְדְּ וְנַעֲמָן, יָצְאָה מִכָּל אֶחָד מִשְׁפָּחָה רַבָּה, וְנִקְרְאוּ תוֹלְדוֹת שְׁאָר הַבָּנִים עַל שֵׁם בֶּלַע, וְתוֹלְדוֹת הַשְּׁנַיִם הַלָּלוּ נִקְרְאוּ עַל שְׁמָם, וְכֵן אֲנִי אוֹמֵר בִּבְנֵי מָכִיר שֶׁנֶּחְלְקוּ לִשְׁתֵּי מִשְׁפָּחוֹת, אַחַת נִקְרֵאת עַל שְׁמוֹ, וְאַחַת נִקְרֵאת עַל שֵׁם גִּלְעָד בְּנוֹ; חָמֵשׁ מִשְׁפָּחוֹת חָסְרוּ מִבָּנָיו שֶׁל בִּנְיָמִין, כָּאן נִתְקַיְּמָה מִקְצַת נְבוּאַת אִמּוֹ שֶׁקְּרָאַתּוּ בֶן אוֹנִי — בֶּן אֲנִינוּתִי, וּבְפִילֶגֶשׁ בְּגִבְעָה (שופטים כ') נִתְקַיְּמָה כֻּלָּה. זוֹ מָצָאתִי בִיסוֹדוֹ שֶׁל רַ' מֹשֶׁה הַדַּרְשָׁן:
25These were the families of Issachar according to those of them counted: sixty four thousand and three hundred.   כהאֵ֛לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת יִשָּׂשכָ֖ר לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם אַרְבָּעָ֧ה וְשִׁשִּׁ֛ים אֶ֖לֶף וּשְׁל֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת:
26The descendants of Zebulun according to their families: the family of the Sardites from Sered, the family of the Elonites from Elon, the family of the Jahleelites from Jahleel.   כובְּנֵ֣י זְבוּלֻן֘ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לְסֶ֗רֶד מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַסַּרְדִּ֔י לְאֵל֕וֹן מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָאֵֽלֹנִ֑י לְיַ֨חְלְאֵ֔ל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַיַּחְלְאֵלִֽי:
27These were the families of Zebulun according to those of them counted, sixty thousand and five hundred.   כזאֵ֛לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הַזְּבֽוּלֹנִ֖י לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם שִׁשִּׁ֥ים אֶ֖לֶף וַֽחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת:
28The descendants of Joseph according to their families: Manasseh and Ephraim.   כחבְּנֵ֥י יוֹסֵ֖ף לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם מְנַשֶּׁ֖ה וְאֶפְרָֽיִם:
29The descendants of Manasseh: the family of the Machirites from Machir and Machir's son was Gilead; the family of the Gileadites from Gilead.   כטבְּנֵ֣י מְנַשֶּׁ֗ה לְמָכִיר֙ מִשְׁפַּ֣חַת הַמָּֽכִירִ֔י וּמָכִ֖יר הוֹלִ֣יד אֶת־גִּלְעָ֑ד לְגִלְעָ֕ד מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַגִּלְעָדִֽי:
30These were the family of the descendants of Gilead: The family of the Iezerites from Iezer, the family of the Helekites from Helek,   לאֵ֚לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י גִלְעָ֔ד אִיעֶ֕זֶר מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָאִֽיעֶזְרִ֑י לְחֵ֕לֶק מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַֽחֶלְקִֽי:
31the family of the Asrielites from Asriel, the family of the Shechemites from Shechem,   לאוְאַ֨שְׂרִיאֵ֔ל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָֽאַשְׂרִֽאֵלִ֑י וְשֶׁ֕כֶם מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשִּׁכְמִֽי:
32the family of the Shemidaites from Shemida, the family of the Hepherites from Hepher.   לבוּשְׁמִידָ֕ע מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשְּׁמִֽידָעִ֑י וְחֵ֕פֶר מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַֽחֶפְרִֽי:
33Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher had no sons, only daughters, and the names of Zelophehad's daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah.   לגוּצְלָפְחָ֣ד בֶּן־חֵ֗פֶר לֹא־הָ֥יוּ ל֛וֹ בָּנִ֖ים כִּ֣י אִם־בָּנ֑וֹת וְשֵׁם֙ בְּנ֣וֹת צְלָפְחָ֔ד מַחְלָ֣ה וְנֹעָ֔ה חָגְלָ֥ה מִלְכָּ֖ה וְתִרְצָֽה:
34These were families of Manasseh, and those of them counted were fifty two thousand and seven hundred.   לדאֵ֖לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת מְנַשֶּׁ֑ה וּפְקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם שְׁנַ֧יִם וַֽחֲמִשִּׁ֛ים אֶ֖לֶף וּשְׁבַ֥ע מֵאֽוֹת:
35These were the descendants of Ephraim according to their families: the family of the Shuthalhites from Shuthelah, the family of the Bachrites from Becher, the family of the Tahanites from Tahan.   להאֵ֣לֶּה בְנֵֽי־אֶפְרַ֘יִם֘ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לְשׁוּתֶ֗לַח מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַשֻּׁ֣תַלְחִ֔י לְבֶ֕כֶר מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַבַּכְרִ֑י לְתַ֕חַן מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַתַּֽחֲנִֽי:
36And these were the descendants of Shuthelah: the family of the Eranites from Eran.   לווְאֵ֖לֶּה בְּנֵ֣י שׁוּתָ֑לַח לְעֵרָ֕ן מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָעֵֽרָנִֽי:
And these were the descendants of Shuthelah…. The descendants of the other sons of Shuthelah were called after Shuthelah. A large family issued from Eran, so they were called after him. Thus, the descendants of Shuthelah were considered two families. Go and figure it out and you will find that fifty-seven families [are listed] in this chapter, together with eight from the sons of Levi, totaling sixty-five. This is the meaning of what is said, “For you are the least (הַמְעַט) of all the peoples” (Deut. 7:7). [The word הַמְעַט denotes ‘five’ (ה) ‘less’ (מְעַט).] You are five less than the families of all the nations, since they are seventy [and you are sixty-five]. This too I expounded from the writings of R. Moshe Hadarshan [the preacher], but I had to delete some of his words and add to them. - [Mid. Aggadah.]   וְאֵלֶּה בְּנֵי שׁוּתָלַח וגו'.  שְׁאָר בְּנֵי שׁוּתֶלַח נִקְרְאוּ תוֹלְדוֹתֵיהֶם עַל שֵׁם שׁוּתֶלַח, וּמֵעֵרָן יָצְאָה מִשְׁפָּחָה רַבָּה וְנִקְרֵאת עַל שְׁמוֹ, וְנֶחְשְׁבוּ בְנֵי שׁוּתֶלַח לִשְׁתֵּי מִשְׁפָּחוֹת, צֵא וַחֲשֹׁב וְתִמְצָא בְּפָרָשָׁה זוֹ חֲמִשִּׁים וְשֶׁבַע מִשְׁפָּחוֹת וּמִבְּנֵי לֵוִי שְׁמוֹנֶה הֲרֵי שִׁשִּׁים וְחָמֵשׁ, וְזֶהוּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "כִּי אַתֶּם הַמְעַט" וְגוֹ' — ה"א מְעַט, חָמֵשׁ אַתֶּם חֲסֵרִים מִמִּשְׁפְּחוֹת כָּל הָעַמִּים, שֶׁהֵן שִׁבְעִים. אַף זוֹ הֵבַנְתִּי מִיסוֹדוֹ שֶׁל רַבִּי מֹשֶׁה הַדַּרְשָׁן, אַךְ הֻצְרַכְתִּי לִפְחֹת וּלְהוֹסִיף בִּדְבָרָיו:
37These were the families of the descendants of Ephraim according to those of them counted, thirty two thousand and five hundred; these were the descendants of Joseph according to their families.   לזאֵ֣לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֤ת בְּנֵֽי־אֶפְרַ֨יִם֙ לִפְקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם שְׁנַ֧יִם וּשְׁלשִׁ֛ים אֶ֖לֶף וַֽחֲמֵ֣שׁ מֵא֑וֹת אֵ֥לֶּה בְנֵֽי־יוֹסֵ֖ף לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם:
38The descendants of Benjamin according to their families: the family of the Belaites from Bela, the family of the Ashbelites from Ashbel, the family of the Ahiramites from Ahiram,   לחבְּנֵ֣י בִנְיָמִן֘ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לְבֶ֗לַע מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַבַּלְעִ֔י לְאַשְׁבֵּ֕ל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָֽאַשְׁבֵּלִ֑י לַֽאֲחִירָ֕ם מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הָֽאֲחִֽירָמִֽי:
from Ahiram. This is Ehi, who migrated to Egypt. Since he was named after Joseph, who was his [Benjamin’s] brother (אֲחִי), and greater (רָם) than he, he was called Ahiram (אֲחִירָם). - [Mid. Aggadah.]   לַֽאֲחִירָם.  הוּא אֵחִי שֶׁיָּרַד לְמִצְרַיִם, וּלְפִי שֶׁנִּקְרָא עַל שֵׁם יוֹסֵף שֶׁהָיָה אָחִיו וְרָם מִמֶּנּוּ נִקְרָא אֲחִירָם:
39the family of the Shuphamites from Shupham, the family of the Huphamites from Hupham.   לטלִשְׁפוּפָ֕ם מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשּֽׁוּפָמִ֑י לְחוּפָ֕ם מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַחֽוּפָמִֽי:
from Shupham. This is Muppim, so named because Joseph was humbled (שָׁפוּף) among the nations.   לִשְׁפוּפָם.  הוּא מֻפִּים, עַל שֵׁם שֶׁהָיָה יוֹסֵף שָׁפוּף בֵּין הָאֻמּוֹת:
40The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman; the family of the Ardites [from Ard], the family of the Naamites from Naaman.   מוַיִּֽהְי֥וּ בְנֵי־בֶ֖לַע אַ֣רְדְּ וְנַֽעֲמָ֑ן מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הָֽאַרְדִּ֔י לְנַ֣עֲמָ֔ן מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַנַּֽעֲמִֽי:
41These were the descendants of Benjamin according to their families, and those of them counted were forty five thousand and six hundred.   מאאֵ֥לֶּה בְנֵֽי־בִנְיָמִ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם וּפְקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם חֲמִשָּׁ֧ה וְאַרְבָּעִ֛ים אֶ֖לֶף וְשֵׁ֥שׁ מֵאֽוֹת:
42The descendants of Dan according to their families: the family of the Shuhamites from Shuham. These were the families of Dan.   מבאֵ֤לֶּה בְנֵי־דָן֙ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔ם לְשׁוּחָ֕ם מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשּֽׁוּחָמִ֑י אֵ֛לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת דָּ֖ן לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָֽם:
From Shuham. This is Hushim (see Gen. 46:23).   לְשׁוּחָם.  הוּא חֻשִׁים:
43All the Shuhamite families according to those of them counted, were sixty four thousand and four hundred.   מגכָּל־מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת הַשּֽׁוּחָמִ֖י לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם אַרְבָּעָ֧ה וְשִׁשִּׁ֛ים אֶ֖לֶף וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵאֽוֹת:
44The descendants of Asher according to their families: the family of Jimnah from Jimnah, the family of the Ishvites from Ishvi, the family of the Beriites from Beriah.   מדבְּנֵ֣י אָשֵׁר֘ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לְיִמְנָ֗ה מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַיִּמְנָ֔ה לְיִשְׁוִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַיִּשְׁוִ֑י לִבְרִיעָ֕ה מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַבְּרִיעִֽי:
45The descendants of Beriah: the family of the Heberites from Heber, the family of the Malchielites from Malchiel.   מהלִבְנֵ֣י בְרִיעָ֔ה לְחֵ֕בֶר מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַֽחֶבְרִ֑י לְמַ֨לְכִּיאֵ֔ל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַמַּלְכִּֽיאֵלִֽי:
46The name of Asher's daughter was Serah.   מווְשֵׁ֥ם בַּת־אָשֵׁ֖ר שָֽׂרַח:
The name of Asher’s daughter was Serah. Because she was still alive, she is mentioned here. — [Sotah 13a, Mid. Aggadah]   וְשֵׁם בַּת־אָשֵׁר שָֽׂרַח.  לְפִי שֶׁהָיְתָה קַיֶּמֶת בְּחַיֶּיהָ מְנָאָהּ כָּאן (סדר עולם):
47These were the families of the descendants of Asher according to those of them counted, fifty three thousand and four hundred.   מזאֵ֛לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת בְּנֵֽי־אָשֵׁ֖ר לִפְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֑ם שְׁלשָׁ֧ה וַֽחֲמִשִּׁ֛ים אֶ֖לֶף וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵאֽוֹת:
48The descendants of Naphtali according to their families: the family of the Jahzeelites from Jahzeel, the family of the Gunites from Guni.   מחבְּנֵ֤י נַפְתָּלִי֙ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֔ם לְיַ֨חְצְאֵ֔ל מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַיַּחְצְאֵלִ֑י לְגוּנִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַגּוּנִֽי:
49The family of the Jezerites from Jezer, the family of the Shillemites from Shillem.   מטלְיֵ֕צֶר מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַיִּצְרִ֑י לְשִׁלֵּ֕ם מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַשִּׁלֵּמִֽי:
50These were the families of Naphtali according to their families, and those of them counted were forty five thousand and four hundred.   נאֵ֛לֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹ֥ת נַפְתָּלִ֖י לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָ֑ם וּפְקֻ֣דֵיהֶ֔ם חֲמִשָּׁ֧ה וְאַרְבָּעִ֛ים אֶ֖לֶף וְאַרְבַּ֥ע מֵאֽוֹת:
51These are those counted of the children of Israel: six hundred and one thousand and seven hundred and thirty.   נאאֵ֗לֶּה פְּקוּדֵי֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל שֵֽׁשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת אֶ֖לֶף וָאָ֑לֶף שְׁבַ֥ע מֵא֖וֹת וּשְׁלשִֽׁים:
52The Lord spoke to Moses, saying:   נבוַיְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהֹוָ֖ה אֶל־משֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר:
53You shall apportion the Land among these as an inheritance, in accordance with the number of names.   נגלָאֵ֗לֶּה תֵּֽחָלֵ֥ק הָאָ֛רֶץ בְּנַֽחֲלָ֖ה בְּמִסְפַּ֥ר שֵׁמֽוֹת:
You shall apportion the Land among these. And not to those below age twenty, although they reached the age of twenty before the allocation of the Land-for the conquest took seven years, and the allocation took seven [years]-no one other than these six hundred and one thousand took a portion in the Land, and if one of them had six sons, they received only their father’s portion. - [Sifrei Pinchas 2, B.B. 117a]   לָאֵלֶּה תֵּֽחָלֵק הָאָרֶץ.  וְלֹא לַפְּחוּתִים מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁבָּאוּ לִכְלַל עֶשְׂרִים בְּטֶרֶם חִלּוּק הָאָרֶץ; שֶׁהֲרֵי שֶׁבַע שָׁנִים כָּבְשׁוּ וְשֶׁבַע חִלְּקוּ, לֹא נָטְלוּ חֵלֶק בָּאָרֶץ אֶלָּא אֵלּוּ שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף וָאֶלֶף, וְאִם הָיוּ לְאֶחָד מֵהֶם שִׁשָּׁה בָנִים לֹא נָטְלוּ אֶלָּא חֵלֶק אֲבִיהֶם לְבַדּוֹ (בבא בתרא קי"ז):
54To the large [tribe] you shall give a larger inheritance and to a smaller tribe you shall give a smaller inheritance, each person shall be given an inheritance according to his number.   נדלָרַ֗ב תַּרְבֶּה֙ נַֽחֲלָת֔וֹ וְלַֽמְעַ֕ט תַּמְעִ֖יט נַֽחֲלָת֑וֹ אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י פְקֻדָ֔יו יֻתַּ֖ן נַֽחֲלָתֽוֹ:
To the large you shall give a large inheritance. To the tribe with a large population you shall allocate a larger portion. Although the portions were unequal-since the portions were divided according to the size of the tribes-they were decided by lot, and the lot was determined by the Divine Spirit, as it is stated explicitly in [Tractate Bava Bathra [122a]: Eleazar the kohen was clad with the Urim and Thummim, and he said while inspired with the Divine Spirit, “If such-and-such a tribe is drawn, then such-and-such a territory will be allocated to it.” The tribes were inscribed on twelve slips, and the twelve territories on [another] twelve slips. They mixed them in a box and the chieftain [of a tribe] placed his hand inside and drew out two slips. In his hand came a slip bearing the name of his tribe and a slip [inscribed] with the territory designated for it. The lot itself cried out, saying, “I am the lot drawn for such-and-such a territory for such-and-such a tribe” as it says, “according to lot” (verse 56) [lit. by the mouth of the lot] (Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 6). Since some areas were superior to others, the Land was not divided [solely] according to measurements, but it was assessed; an inferior piece of land sufficient to sow a kor was equivalent to a superior piece sufficient to sow a seah [a thirtieth of a kor]; it all depended on the value [of the soil]. — [Sifrei Pinchas 7]   לָרַב תַּרְבֶּה נַֽחֲלָתוֹ.  לְשֵׁבֶט שֶׁהָיָה מְרֻבֶּה בְּאֻכְלוּסִין נָתְנוּ חֵלֶק רַב, וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁלֹא הָיוּ הַחֲלָקִים שָׁוִים, שֶׁהֲרֵי הַכֹּל לְפִי רִבּוּי הַשֵּׁבֶט חָלְקוּ הַחֲלָקִים, לֹא עָשׂוּ אֶלָּא עַל יְדֵי גוֹרָל, וְהַגּוֹרָל הָיָה עַל פִּי רוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁמְּפֹרָשׁ בְּבָבָא בַתְרָא (דף קכ"ב): אֶלְעָזָר הַכֹּהֵן הָיָה מְלֻבָּשׁ בְּאוּרִים וְתֻמִּים וְאוֹמֵר בְּרוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ אִם שֵׁבֶט פְּלוֹנִי עוֹלֶה, תְּחוּם פְּלוֹנִי עוֹלֶה עִמּוֹ, וְהַשְּׁבָטִים הָיוּ כְתוּבִים בִּשְׁנֵים עָשָׂר פְּתָקִין וְי"ב גְּבוּלִין בְּי"ב פְּתָקִין, וּבְלָלוּם בַּקַּלְפִּי, וְהַנָּשִׂיא מַכְנִיס יָדוֹ לְתוֹכוֹ וְנוֹטֵל שְׁנַיִם פְּתָקִין, עוֹלֶה בְיָדוֹ פֶּתֶק שֶׁל שֵׁם שִׁבְטוֹ וּפֶתֶק שֶׁל גְּבוּל הַמְפֹרָשׁ לוֹ, וְהַגּוֹרָל עַצְמוֹ הָיָה צוֹוֵחַ וְאוֹמֵר אֲנִי הַגּוֹרָל עָלִיתִי לִגְבוּל פְּלוֹנִי לְשֵבֶט פְּלוֹנִי, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "עַל פִּי הַגּוֹרָל", וְלֹא נִתְחַלְּקָה הָאָרֶץ בְּמִדָּה, לְפִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ גְּבוּל מְשֻׁבָּח מֵחֲבֵרוֹ, אֶלָּא בְשׁוּמָא, בֵּית כֹּר רַע כְּנֶגֶד בֵּית סְאָה טוֹב, הַכֹּל לְפִי הַדָּמִים:
55Only through lot shall the Land be apportioned; they shall inherit it according to the names of their fathers' tribes.   נהאַךְ־בְּגוֹרָ֕ל יֵֽחָלֵ֖ק אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ לִשְׁמ֥וֹת מַטֽוֹת־אֲבֹתָ֖ם יִנְחָֽלוּ:
according to the names of their fathers’ tribes. This refers to those who came out of Egypt. Scripture treats this inheritance differently from all other inheritances [mentioned] in the Torah. For in the case of all other inheritances, the living inherit the dead, whereas here, the dead inherit the living. How is this? Two brothers who came out of Egypt who had sons that entered the Land-one had one [son] and the other had three. The one received one portion, and the three received three, as it says, “You shall apportion the Land among these” (verse 53). The inheritance [of these four] reverts to their grandfather [who left Egypt] and they divided everything equally. This is the meaning of what is stated, “they shall inherit it according to the names of their fathers’ tribes.” For after the sons received it, it was divided up according to the fathers who had left Egypt, whereas had they apportioned it originally according to the number who came out of Egypt, these four would not have received four but only two portions. Now, however, they received four portions. — [B.B. 117a]   לִשְׁמוֹת מַטֽוֹת־אֲבֹתָם.  אֵלּוּ יוֹצְאֵי מִצְרַיִם; שִׁנָּה הַכָּתוּב נַחֲלָה זוֹ מִכָּל הַנְּחָלוֹת שֶׁבַּתּוֹרָה, שֶׁכָּל הַנְּחָלוֹת הַחַיִּים יוֹרְשִׁים אֶת הַמֵּתִים וְכָאן מֵתִים יוֹרְשִׁים אֶת הַחַיִּים, כֵּיצַד? שְׁנֵי אַחִים מִיּוֹצְאֵי מִצְרַיִם שֶׁהָיוּ לָהֶם בָּנִים בְּבָאֵי הָאָרֶץ, לָזֶה אֶחָד וְלָזֶה שְׁלֹשָׁה, הָאֶחָד נָטַל חֵלֶק אֶחָד וְהַשְּׁלֹשָׁה נָטְלוּ שְׁלֹשָׁה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר לָאֵלֶּה תֵּחָלֵק הָאָרֶץ, חָזְרָה נַחֲלָתָן אֵצֶל אֲבִי אֲבִיהֶן וְחָלְקוּ הַכֹּל בְּשָׁוֶה, וְזֶהוּ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר לשמות מטות אבתם ינחלו — שֶׁאַחַר שֶׁנָּטְלוּ הַבָּנִים, חִלְּקוּהָ לְפִי הָאָבוֹת שֶׁיָּצְאוּ מִמִּצְרַיִם, וְאִלּוּ מִתְּחִלָּה חִלְּקוּהָ לְמִנְיַן יוֹצְאֵי מִצְרַיִם לֹא הָיוּ נוֹטְלִין אֵלּוּ הָאַרְבָּעָה אֶלָּא שְׁנֵי חֲלָקִים, עַכְשָׁו נָטְלוּ אַרְבָּעָה חֲלָקִים (ספרי; בבא בתרא קי"ז):
Only through lot. Heb. אַךְ בְּגוֹרָל - [The word אַךְ] excludes Joshua and Caleb [from this method of allocation]. And so it says, “They gave Hebron to Caleb as Moses had spoken” (Jud. 1:20), and it further says, “According to the word of the Lord, they gave him the city he had requested” (Josh. 19:50). - [Sifrei Pinchas 6]   אַךְ־בְּגוֹרָל.  יָצְאוּ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְכָלֵב, וְכֵן הוּא אוֹמֵר "וַיִּתְּנוּ לְכָלֵב אֶת חֶבְרוֹן כַּאֲשֶׁר דִּבֶּר מֹשֶׁה" (שופטים א'), וְאוֹמֵר (יהושע י"ט) "עַל פִּי ה' נָתְנוּ לוֹ אֶת הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר שָׁאָל" (ספרי):
of their fathers’ tribes. Excluding proselytes and [gentile] slaves. — [Sifrei Pinchas 7]   מַטֽוֹת־אֲבֹתָם.  יָצְאוּ גֵרִים וַעֲבָדִים:
56The inheritance shall be apportioned between the numerous and the few, according to lot.   נועַל־פִּי֙ הַגּוֹרָ֔ל תֵּֽחָלֵ֖ק נַֽחֲלָת֑וֹ בֵּ֥ין רַ֖ב לִמְעָֽט:
According to lot. Heb. עַל-פִּי הַגּוֹרָל, lit. by the mouth of the lot. The lot spoke out, as I explained above (verse 54). This tells us that it was divided by the Divine Spirit. (This is why it says, “in accordance with the Lord’s word” [Josh. 19:50].)   עַל־פִּי הַגּוֹרָל.  הַגּוֹרָל הָיָה מְדַבֵּר, כְּמוֹ שֶׁפֵּרַשְׁתִּי, מַגִּיד שֶׁנִּתְחַלְּקָה בְרוּחַ הַקֹּדֶשׁ {לְכָךְ נֶאֱמַר (יהושע י"ט) "עַל פִּי ה'"}:
57These were the numbers of the Levites according to their families: the family of the Gershonites from Gershon, the family of the Kohathites from Kohath, the family of the Merarites from Merari.   נזוְאֵ֨לֶּה פְקוּדֵ֣י הַלֵּוִי֘ לְמִשְׁפְּחֹתָם֒ לְגֵֽרְשׁ֗וֹן מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת֙ הַגֵּ֣רְשֻׁנִּ֔י לִקְהָ֕ת מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַקְּהָתִ֑י לִמְרָרִ֕י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַמְּרָרִֽי:
58These were the families of Levi: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, the family of the Korahites and Kehat begot Amram.   נחאֵ֣לֶּה | מִשְׁפְּחֹ֣ת לֵוִ֗י מִשְׁפַּ֨חַת הַלִּבְנִ֜י מִשְׁפַּ֤חַת הַֽחֶבְרֹנִי֙ מִשְׁפַּ֤חַת הַמַּחְלִי֙ מִשְׁפַּ֣חַת הַמּוּשִׁ֔י מִשְׁפַּ֖חַת הַקָּרְחִ֑י וּקְהָ֖ת הוֹלִ֥ד אֶת־עַמְרָֽם:
These were the families of Levi. Missing here are the family of the Shimeites, the family of the Uzzielites, and part of the family of the Izharites (Exod. 6:17, 18).   אֵלֶּה מִשְׁפְּחֹת לֵוִי.  חָסֵר כָּאן מִשְׁפְּחוֹת הַשִּׁמְעִי וְהָעָזִּיאֵלִי וּקְצָת מִן הַיִּצְהָרִי:
59The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed the daughter of Levi, whom [her mother] had borne to Levi in Egypt. She bore to Amram, Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam.   נטוְשֵׁ֣ם | אֵ֣שֶׁת עַמְרָ֗ם יוֹכֶ֨בֶד֙ בַּת־לֵוִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יָֽלְדָ֥ה אֹתָ֛הּ לְלֵוִ֖י בְּמִצְרָ֑יִם וַתֵּ֣לֶד לְעַמְרָ֗ם אֶת־אַֽהֲרֹן֙ וְאֶת־משֶׁ֔ה וְאֵ֖ת מִרְיָ֥ם אֲחֹתָֽם:
Whom [her mother] had borne to Levi in Egypt. Her birth took place in Egypt, but not her conception (Sotah 12a, B.B. 120a, 123b). She gave birth to her as they entered the walls, and she completed the number of seventy, for if you count them individually you will find only sixty-nine (see Gen. 46:8-27). - [Gen. Rabbah 94:9 , Num. Rabbah 13:20]   אֲשֶׁר יָֽלְדָה אֹתָהּ לְלֵוִי בְּמִצְרָיִם.  לֵדָתָהּ בְּמִצְרַיִם וְאֵין הוֹרָתָהּ בְּמִצְרַיִם, כְּשֶׁנִּכְנְסוּ לְתוֹךְ הַחוֹמָה יְלָדַתָּה, וְהִיא הִשְׁלִימָה מִנְיַן שִׁבְעִים, שֶׁהֲרֵי בִפְרָטָן אֵי אַתָּה מוֹצֵא אֶלָּא שִׁשִּׁים וָתֵשַׁע:
60Born to Aaron were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.   סוַיִּוָּלֵ֣ד לְאַֽהֲרֹ֔ן אֶת־נָדָ֖ב וְאֶת־אֲבִיה֑וּא אֶת־אֶלְעָזָ֖ר וְאֶת־אִֽיתָמָֽר:
61Nadab and Abihu died when they offered up an unauthorized fire before the Lord.   סאוַיָּ֥מָת נָדָ֖ב וַֽאֲבִיה֑וּא בְּהַקְרִיבָ֥ם אֵשׁ־זָרָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י יְהֹוָֽה:
62And those counted of them were twenty three thousand, every male aged one month and upward, for they were not counted among the children of Israel, since no inheritance was given them among the children of Israel.   סבוַיִּֽהְי֣וּ פְקֻֽדֵיהֶ֗ם שְׁלשָׁ֤ה וְעֶשְׂרִים֙ אֶ֔לֶף כָּל־זָכָ֖ר מִבֶּן־חֹ֣דֶשׁ וָמָ֑עְלָה כִּ֣י | לֹ֣א הָתְפָּֽקְד֗וּ בְּתוֹךְ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל כִּ֠י לֹֽא־נִתַּ֤ן לָהֶם֙ נַֽחֲלָ֔ה בְּת֖וֹךְ בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל:
they were not counted among the children of Israel. who were counted from the age of twenty and upward. For what reason?…   כִּי לֹא הָתְפָּֽקְדוּ בְּתוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל.  לִהְיוֹת נִמְנִין בְּנֵי עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה, מַה טַּעַם?:
since no inheritance was given them. And those who were counted from the age of twenty were recipients of an inheritance, as it says, “each person shall be given an inheritance” (verse 54).   כי לא נתן להם נחלה.  וְהַנִּמְנִין מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה הָיוּ בְנֵי נַחֲלָה, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר "אִישׁ לְפִי פְקֻדָיו יֻתַּן נַחֲלָתוֹ":
63This was the census of Moses and Eleazar the kohen, who counted the children of Israel in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan at Jericho.   סגאֵ֚לֶּה פְּקוּדֵ֣י משֶׁ֔ה וְאֶלְעָזָ֖ר הַכֹּהֵ֑ן אֲשֶׁ֨ר פָּֽקְד֜וּ אֶת־בְּנֵ֤י יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּעַרְבֹ֣ת מוֹאָ֔ב עַ֖ל יַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵחֽוֹ:
64Among these there was no man who had been [included] in the census of Moses and Aaron when they counted the children of Israel in the Sinai desert.   סדוּבְאֵ֨לֶּה֙ לֹא־הָ֣יָה אִ֔ישׁ מִפְּקוּדֵ֣י משֶׁ֔ה וְאַֽהֲרֹ֖ן הַכֹּהֵ֑ן אֲשֶׁ֥ר פָּֽקְד֛וּ אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּמִדְבַּ֥ר סִינָֽי:
Among these there was no man…. But the women were not included in the decree [enacted in the aftermath] of the spies, for they cherished the Land. The men said, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt!” (14:4), whereas the women said, “Give us a portion” (27:4). This is why the passage of Zelophehad’s daughters follows here. — [Mid. Tanchuma Pinchas 7]   וּבְאֵלֶּה לֹא־הָיָה אִישׁ וגו'.  אֲבָל עַל הַנָּשִׁים לֹא נִגְזְרָה גְזֵרַת הַמְרַגְּלִים, לְפִי שֶׁהֵן הָיוּ מְחַבְּבוֹת אֶת הָאָרֶץ, הָאֲנָשִׁים אוֹמְרִים נִתְּנָה רֹאשׁ וְנָשׁוּבָה מִצְרַיְמָה, וְהַנָּשִׁים אוֹמְרוֹת "תְּנָה לָּנוּ אֲחֻזָּה", לְכָךְ נִסְמְכָה פָרָשַׁת בְּנוֹת צְלָפְחָד לְכָאן (תנחומא):
65For the Lord had said to them, "They shall surely die in the desert," and no one was left of them but Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun.   סהכִּֽי־אָמַ֤ר יְהֹוָה֙ לָהֶ֔ם מ֥וֹת יָמֻ֖תוּ בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר וְלֹֽא־נוֹתַ֤ר מֵהֶם֙ אִ֔ישׁ כִּ֚י אִם־כָּלֵ֣ב בֶּן־יְפֻנֶּ֔ה וִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֖עַ בִּן־נֽוּן: