“To these the land shall be distributed [as an inheritance, according to the number of names]” (Numbers 26:53) – who were they? It was to the people standing at the plains of Moav. But was the land not divided to those who departed from Egypt, as it is written: “I will give it you as a heritage” (Exodus 6:8)? Why did He not divide it among them?
It is because it was foreseen before the Holy One blessed be He that ultimately, families are destined to be eliminated from them. Who were they? Those who are written above: “The sons of Simeon: Yemuel, and Yamin, and Ohad, and Yakhin, and Tzoḥar, and Shaul son of the Canaanite woman” (Genesis 46:10) – they are six. When you read: “For Nemuel, the Nemuelite family, [for Yamin…Yakhin…Zeraḥ…Shaul]” (Numbers 26:12), one of them is missing.
Likewise regarding Benjamin: “The sons of Benjamin: Bela, Bekher, [Ashbel, Gera, Naaman, Eḥi, Rosh, Mupim, Ḥupim, and Ard” (Genesis 46:21) – they are ten. When you came to count them: “For Bela, the Balite family, [for Ashbel…Aḥiram…Shefufam…Ḥufam]” (Numbers 26:38–39) – five of the sons are missing. These are six families, because of the harlotry at the counsel of Bilam. There is never a case [of harlotry] where it does not have its effect.10A plague.
That is why the Holy One blessed be He said: Why would I distribute the land to people who are destined to die? When they came to the plains of Moav and stood in their entirety, the Holy One blessed be He said to him: “To these the land shall be distributed.”