That a comparative view may be easily taken of the state of
the tribes, we will here produce them, compared with that of
the second census, (ch. 26,) in their decreasing proportion,
beginning with the greatest and proceeding to the least.
1st Census 2nd Census
1. Judah, 74,600; 76,500
2. Dan, 62,700; 64,400
3. Simeon, 59,300; 22,200
4. Zebulun, 57,400; 60,500
5. Issachar, 54,400; 64,300
6. Naphtali, 53,400; 45,400
7. Reuben, 46,500; 43,730
8. Gad, 45,650; 40,500
9. Asher, 41,500; 53,400
10. Ephraim, 40,500; 32,500
11. Benjamin, 35,400; 45,600
12. Manasseh, 32,200; 52,700
_______ _______
Totals: 603,550; 601,730
------- -------
Thus we find Judah the most populous tribe, and Manasseh the
least so; the difference between them being as great as
42,000. Jacob had given Judah the pre-eminence in his
prophetic blessing; and that tribe was to have the precedency
in the encampments of Israel: accordingly God had increased
them more than any of their brethren. Ephraim and Manasseh,
according to the same prophecy, were numbered as distinct
tribes, Ephraim having the superiority, as it was foretold;
and Joseph indeed appears "a fruitful bough."
2:10,11 26:7
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