提要
新一代以色列人進入應許之地的時候近了，所以需要再次核點民數。以色列第二次核點民數比第一次更仔細，因為這次還列舉了各支派所有家族首領的名字。不只二十歲以上能打仗的男丁被數點，清點人數的結果還要作為在迦南分地的依據。支派的大小決定他們得地的多寡，但至於各支派在哪裡定居，則要拈鬮決定，那是當時常用的方式，他們也相信上帝會藉此方式決定最後的結果（26：54~56）。
在數點的過程中，作者提醒我們可拉、流便、大坍、亞比蘭背叛的悲劇事件（26：9~10），在上帝對他們的審判中，流便支派有許多人喪生（可能就是他們人數銳減的原因），其他支派的損失也不輕。我們也再次讀到拿答和亞比戶之死（26：61）。這些事件都是用來提醒以色列新生的一代，切莫對上帝的命令掉以輕心。
雖然時值以色列人出埃及後的第四十年，但他們的人數卻比先前少了一點（比較1：46；26：51），曠野的艱難是原因之一，但最主要還是由於上帝多次對他們罪行的審判。上帝向那些敬畏祂的人施憐憫，但祂也是公正的上帝，祂所有的懲罰都是正當的。上帝恩待約書亞和迦勒，在第一次核點人數中，只有他們兩位戰士忠於上帝（14：29~30）。
在清點人數完畢，即將分地之前，有一個已經去世的人沒有留下兒子，他的五個女兒勇敢的來到摩西、以利亞撒和眾長老面前。她們關切父親的名字在將繼承地業的人中被剔除，同時也爭取她們自己的繼承權。摩西將此案呈到上帝面前，上帝也很快的應允她們的要求（27：7）。上帝以此提高了婦女的地位；事實上，任何高舉聖經的地方，婦女的地位也都受到尊崇。
佔領應許之地的時刻即將來到，但那也同時意味著摩西的死期臨近了，因為上帝對他在米利巴水邊犯罪的懲罰，就是使他不得進入應許之地（27：14，20~12）。這個懲罰似乎太嚴厲，但卻是用來警告屬靈領袖他們的使命有何等重要，他們必須在每一時、每一事上榮耀上帝。
摩西的禱告反映出這位偉大神人的心跡。他深愛以色列民，在他死前，他很有智慧的求上帝揀選一位繼承人（因為上帝的選擇最好），使以色列民不致沒有牧人。他對百姓的憐恤正如那位日後將臨的偉大先知、祭司、和君王（太9：36）。他們謙卑的態度也相若，因為摩西將個人的願望置於一旁，只關心他蒙召服事的百姓，及百姓的最大利益（這是一個真領袖的記號；來3：5）。上帝揀選祂忠心的僕人約書亞來回應摩西的禱告。一個要作領袖的人必須先作僕人（太20：25~28）。
約書亞被帶到全會眾面前，表明他是上帝所揀選的新領袖，並得到摩西的支持。按手象徵權柄、尊榮和責任，從摩西轉移到約書亞身上，使約書亞能像摩西一樣得到百姓的尊敬和順服。不過摩西先知的職任卻沒有轉讓，因為惟獨摩西有特別的地位能來到上帝面前直接與祂說話。約書亞必須透過大祭司以利亞撒尋求上帝的引導，而以利亞撒則藉著「烏陵」來尋求上帝的旨意和引導（參出28：30）。
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Overview
The time was coming closer for the entrance into the Promised Land by the new generation; therefore another census was required. This one was more detailed than the first census, since it included the names of all the heads of the families within each tribe. It not only counted the fighting men age twenty and upward, but provided a basic for dividing the land which God was soon to give them. The size of the tribe would indicate how much land they would inherit, but the placing of the tribes was to be decided by casting lots, a common method used in those days whereby they believed God to intervene in determining the outcome (26:54-56).
During the course of the enumeration, we are reminded of the sad incident regarding the sinful rebellion of Korah and the Reubenites, Dathan, and Abiram (26:9-10), a judgment which caused many deaths in the tribe of Reuben (probably the reason their numbers were down in this census), as well as deaths in the other tribes; and we again read of the deaths of Nadab and Abihu (26:61). These incidents would serve as a reminder for the new generation not to take the commands of God lightly.
Though they were in their fortieth year since leaving Egypt, the Israelites were now a little less in number (compare 1:46; 25:51) due to the hardship of the wilderness life, but mainly due to the many judgments of God for their wickedness. For those who hear (honor and respect) God, He is merciful, but He is also just and all His punishments were justly deserved. The Lord showed grace and favor to Joshua and Caleb, the only two fighting men of the first census who remained faithful to Him (14:19-30).
With the census and the coming division of the land, five daughters of a man who had died without a son courageously came before Moses, Eleazer, and the elders. They were concerned about their father’s name being left out among those who would receive an inheritance, as well as their own rights of inheritance. Moses took the matter up with God, and He quickly gave them a favorable response (27:7). With this, God elevated the position of women and, in fact, wherever the Bible has been honored, the position of women has been lifted up.
The time was coming soon for possession of the Promised Land, but that also meant the approaching death of Moses, since the punishment for his sin at the waters of Meribah was his exclusion from entering the land (27:14; 20:12). This seems harsh, but it serves as a warning to spiritual leaders of the seriousness of their calling and the great responsibilities they have to glorify God in all things and at all times.
Moses’ prayer reflects the true heart of this great man of God, one who dearly loved his people. Before he died, Moses wisely asked God to choose his successor (for God’s choice would be the best) that they might not be without a shepherd (27:17). His compassionated concern for the people was similar to that of the great coming Prophet, aside his personal desires to see the best for those to whom he was called to serve (a mark of a true leader; Heb.3:5). God did indeed answer Moses’ prayer with His faithful servant Joshua. To be a leader, one must first be a servant (Matt.20:25-28).
Joshua was set in front of the whole congregation to show that he was God’s choice and had Moses’ support. The laying on of hands symbolized the transferring of authority, honor, and responsibility from Moses to Joshua, so that he would have the same respect and obedience of the people. However, Moses’ office of prophet was not transferred since he alone had that special place with God wherein he could go before the Lord and speak directly with Him. To receive guidance from the Lord, Joshua would have to go through Eleazar the high priest, who would in turn look for God’s will and guidance in the “Urim” (see Ex.28:30).
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