In these chapters, the Lord has Moses take a second census. He needs a second one because He’s killed so may Israelites for various reasons that He’s lost track. This second census is much more interesting to read than the first (Numbers 1-2), because the dry list of numbers is interspersed with reminders of whom the Lord has killed. Some of them, like Dathan and Abiram, get explanations of why and how they were killed. Er and Onan just “died”, like the Lord was an innocent bystander. I was a little disappointed, because I still don’t know what Er did. “And Er, Judah’s firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord slew him.” (Genesis 38:7)

After the census, the Lord has Moses divide up the land fairly amongst the people. He initially only gives it to the men. However, a man named Zelophehad had died earlier, and left no male heirs. His five daughters pled to receive their own share of land, and are granted it. Because of this the Lord says that a daughter will inherit her father’s property if she has no brothers. Today, this seems quaint, but back then, it was pretty liberal. It’s refreshing to see something that’s not reflexively misogynistic.

Next: Numbers 28-30.