Numbers 26:54 - Land divided by population size

Join Our Newsletter To Be Informed When New Videos Are Posted

Join the thousands of fellow Studends who rely on our videos to learn how to read the bible in Hebrew for free!

Hebrew Text

לָרַב תַּרְבֶּה נַחֲלָתוֹ וְלַמְעַט תַּמְעִיט נַחֲלָתוֹ אִישׁ לְפִי פְקֻדָיו יֻתַּן נַחֲלָתוֹ׃

English Translation

To the more numerous thou shalt give the more inheritance, and to the fewer thou shalt give the less inheritance: to everyone shall his inheritance be given according to those that were numbered of him.

Transliteration

Larav tarbey nachalato velamat tam'it nachalato ish lefi fkudav yutan nachalato

Hebrew Leining Text

לָרַ֗ב תַּרְבֶּה֙ נַחֲלָת֔וֹ וְלַמְעַ֕ט תַּמְעִ֖יט נַחֲלָת֑וֹ אִ֚ישׁ לְפִ֣י פְקֻדָ֔יו יֻתַּ֖ן נַחֲלָתֽוֹ׃

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

The verse (Bamidbar 26:54) appears in the context of the second census of Bnei Yisrael in the wilderness, prior to their entry into Eretz Yisrael. Hashem instructs Moshe regarding the division of the Land among the tribes, establishing the principle that inheritance should be proportional to the size of each tribe.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi explains that the verse teaches the method of land allocation: larger tribes received larger portions of land, while smaller tribes received smaller portions. However, Rashi clarifies that this does not mean a person from a large tribe received more land than a person from a small tribe. Rather, the total tribal territory was proportional to the tribe's population, but each individual within the tribe received an equal portion (Rashi on Bamidbar 26:54).

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Nizkei Mammon (5:1), Rambam cites this verse as the source for the halachic principle that when dividing land among inheritors, the division must be proportional to their numbers. This ensures fairness in distribution, whether dealing with tribal territories or individual inheritances.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma (Pinchas 8) connects this verse to the broader concept of Divine justice, noting that Hashem allocates resources precisely according to need and merit.
Sifrei (Bamidbar 134) emphasizes that this system prevented disputes between tribes, as the allocation was objectively based on census numbers.

Halachic Implications

The Talmud (Bava Batra 122a) derives from this verse several principles of inheritance law, including:

The requirement for equitable distribution of land
The prohibition against favoring one heir over another
The concept that ancestral land should remain within the tribe (later codified in the laws of the nachala)

Philosophical Dimension

The Kli Yakar notes that this system reflects the balance between collective identity (tribal affiliation) and individual rights (equal portions within the tribe). The proportional allocation to tribes recognizes their distinct identities, while the equal division within tribes affirms the equal worth of each individual before Hashem.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Numbers 26:54 mean?
A: This verse explains how the Land of Israel was to be divided among the tribes. Larger tribes (with more people counted in the census) would receive larger portions of land, while smaller tribes would receive smaller portions. This ensured a fair distribution based on each tribe's population size, as explained by Rashi and other traditional commentators.

Q: Why is the inheritance in Numbers 26:54 given based on population?
A: The Torah teaches fairness in distribution. Since the land was meant to sustain each tribe's families, it was logical to allocate portions proportionally. Rambam (Hilchot Nizkei Mammon) later derives principles of equitable distribution from such Torah laws. The Midrash (Bamidbar Rabbah) also connects this to Divine justice in apportioning resources appropriately.

Q: How does the inheritance law in Numbers 26:54 apply today?
A: While we don't currently divide the Land of Israel by tribe, this verse teaches timeless principles: 1) Fairness in resource distribution (as applied in halachic monetary laws), 2) Recognizing different community needs, and 3) The importance of censuses for proper planning - as the Talmud (Bava Batra 122a) discusses regarding this inheritance system.