Numbers

Numbers is the fourth book in the Bible. The English name is an unfortunate derivation from the Septuagint's Arithmoi, unfortunate because it immediately gives the wrong impression that the book is a boring iteration of censuses and lists. The book of Numbers is theologically important. Like the books of Exodus and Leviticus, Numbers is a continuation of the story of Israel begun in Genesis.

The book may be divided into two parts (each distinguished by its own census). The first half (Chaps 1:1-10:10) narrates the events during the remainder of Israel's stay at Mount Sinai, where Israel had stated for just over a year. The book begins with the taking of a census of the number of adults who came out of Egypt, and continues with various other instructions given by God on how Israel was to order itself as a community bound in faith to God.

The second half of the book (Chaps 10:11-36:13) records their departure from Mount Sinai and their journey towards the Promised Land. Almost immediately Israel began to show herself what she was made of: a faithless, rebellious people who revolted, complained, and grumbled at the first sign of hardship. This brokenness was evident not only among the so-called 'simple folks' who could be thought of as ignorant, but among those who were leaders, including Aaron, Miriam, Korah, and eventually, even Moses (though, in mitigation, he was greatly provoked). The final straw of their rebellion came when they were at Kadesh-Barnea, an oasis on the edge of the Promised Land, just eleven days' journey from Sinai. From there they would have conquered the Promised Land. The report of the scouts that the land was inhabited by giants, however, spooked them. Though assured by Moses of God's presence and enabling to take the land, they absolutedly refused. For their rebellion, God promised that none of those who had left Egypt as adults (those listed in the census) would ever 'see' the Promised Land, nevermind, occupy it. For the next thirty-eight years that generation of Israelites, still led by Moses, would spend their days wandering around the wilderness (hence the Hebrew name of the book, b'midbar 'in the wilderness,' the fifth word in the first sentence) until everyone of those adults had died. During these years, a whole new generation—those who came out of Egypt as children and those born during these years—had come into existence; they would conquer and inherit the Promised Land. They were the ones listed in the second census (Chap 26). The two census therefore marked two stories: one of disobedience and death, the other of faith and new beginning. The rest of the book relates their journey through the Transjordan, their trails and their conquests of land there and their arrival on the plains of Moab, from which a new attempt at conquering the Promised Land would take place under the leadership of Joshua.

Notable Events & Persons in Numbers:

The Two Census (Chap 1 & 26)

The Miracles of the Quails (Chap 11)

Miriam's Criticism of Moses & Her Punishment (Chap 12)

The Exploration of the Promised Land by the Scouts and Israel's Refusal to Take the Land (Chaps 13-14

The Rebellion by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Chap 16)

Moses's & Aaron's Disobedience that Barred Them from the Promised Land (Chap 20)

The Bronze Snake that Healed (Chap 21)

The Conquest of the Transjordan Land (Chap 21)

The Curse of Balaam (Chaps 22-24)

The People's Orgy with the Baal of Peor (Chap 25)

Joshua Chosen to Succeed Moses (Chap 27)

Division of the Conquered Land among Manasseh, Gad, and Reuben (Chap 32)