Bava Batra 117b — the Talmud in English

But

Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar says: ![](pamud.bmp "

Exact location on the page")

The land was divided among both these and those, in order to uphold both of these verses

“It shall be apportioned to these,” and “according to the names of the tribes of their fathers.”

How so?

If

he was among those who left Egypt,

but not among those who entered the land—for example, Reuben, who left Egypt, died in the wilderness, and left behind young sons under the age of twenty, who could not receive a portion upon entering the land on their own—

he receives his portion together with those who left Egypt.

And his sons inherit this portion.

And if

he was among those who entered the land

but not among those who left Egypt—for example, Reuben fathered sons in Egypt and died, and his sons left Egypt when they were under the age of twenty, and when they entered the land they were twenty years old; or in the case that Reuben left Egypt when he was under the age of twenty, died in the wilderness, and left behind sons who were twenty years old—

he receives his portion together with those who entered the land.

And if there were ten sons, they receive ten portions.

And if he was twenty years old

on both sides,

for example, Reuben left Egypt at the age of twenty, fathered sons, and they too entered the land when they were twenty years old—

he receives his portion from both sides.

That is, if there were ten sons, they receive ten portions on their own behalf, and one portion on behalf of their father.

Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar adds: the

spies,

although they were among those who left Egypt, did not receive a portion in the land, and

Joshua and Caleb received

their

portion.

The complainers and the assembly of Korah

[below it will be explained that he is speaking of the complainers among the assembly of Korah, namely, the two hundred and fifty men among the assembly of Korah],

had no portion in the land.

And they are considered as though they did not exist, and all the tribes acquired their portions, as though the land had been divided among those who left Egypt without the complainers.

And

the sons

of the spies and the complainers did not receive the portion of their fathers; rather,

they received it by virtue of their fathers’ fathers and by virtue of their mothers’ fathers,

if their mothers had no brothers and they were among those who left Egypt.

Thus far the beraita.

And the Gemara discusses it:

From where is it inferred that this “according to the names of the tribes of their fathers” is written with regard to those who left Egypt?

Perhaps it was stated with regard to the tribes,

that is, the land was divided among the twelve sons of Jacob?

And the Gemara answers:

For it is written: “And I shall give it to you as a heritage; I am Hashem”—it is an inheritance for you from your fathers. And He stated it to them with regard to those who left Egypt.

A mnemonic for Rav Tzelofhad and Yosef: Menashe was doubled, will be counted

The Gemara discusses the words of the beraita cited above:

Rav Pappa said to Abaye: Granted, according to the one who says, “The land was divided among those who left Egypt,” this is what is written: “To the numerous you shall increase his inheritance, and to the few you shall diminish his inheritance.”

For it implies: to the one who was numerous at the Exodus from Egypt, even though he has now become few, you shall increase his inheritance; and to the one who was few at the Exodus from Egypt, even though he has now become numerous, you shall diminish his inheritance.