The second census, or numbering of the tribes, takes place in chapter 26 of the book of Numbers. The most remarkable difference is seen in the tribe of Simeon. It lost about 62% of its population. There have been many suggestions as to why Simeon lost so many soldiers but the best one seems to surround the outright sinful rebellion of a Simeonite man named Zimri, who took a Midianite woman into his tent in a public display of rebellion against God’s standards.
Both were executed by the zealous grandson of Aaron, Phinehas. It might appear that Simeon’s tribe was much more active in the sin instigated at Baal-Peor regarding the corruption of the nation through moral seduction by the women of the land.
The wisest man in the world, Solomon, warns his son against sexual impurity in the book of Proverbs. Speaking about the seductress he writes in 7:24f, “…let not your heart turn aside to her ways; do not stray into her paths, for many a victim has she laid low, and all her slain are a mighty throng.” In the case of the tribe of Simeon, the “mighty throng” of those who were laid low by the seductress was over 37 thousand men.