Numbers
| Numbers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Abbreviation | Nu |
| Class. | Old Testament |
| Category | Book of the Law (Pentateuch) |
| Chapters | 36 Chapters |
| Record Related | |
| Writer | Moses |
| Date (Approx.) | 15th Century BC |
| Location | Presumed to be the plains of Moab just before Canaan |
Numbers is the fourth book of the Old Testament. It records the history of the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness, from their departure from Egypt to their arrival at the borders of Canaan. Along with Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy, it forms the Pentateuch, traditionally attributed to Moses.
Etymology and Writer of Numbers
The Hebrew title of the book is Bemidbar (בְּמִדְבַּר), meaning “in the wilderness.” The Greek title, Arithmoi (Numbers), derives from the two censuses recorded at the beginning and near the end of Israel’s forty-year journey.
The writer of Numbers is traditionally identified as Moses,[1][2] who served as both prophet and leader of Israel. Having led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt under Pharaoh's oppression, Moses devoted his life to guiding them toward the Promised Land of Canaan. The five books written by Moses are collectively known as the Pentateuch of Moses.
Features
The book of Numbers provides insight into the Israelites’ journey through the wilderness and serves as a spiritual lesson for believers who are on their spiritual journey toward the kingdom of heaven, illustrating the faith, obedience, and perseverance required to reach the promises of God.
God remained with the Israelites in the wilderness, protecting and providing for them despite their hardships. Nevertheless, the people repeatedly complained and disobeyed God. What could have been a month-long journey turned into forty years of wandering. Their disobedience stands as a warning to later generations of believers,[3] a point also emphasized in the book of Hebrews, which urges faith and obedience to God’s word.[4]
Notable Figures
- Joshua: Successor of Moses and a representative of the tribe of Ephraim. He was one of the twelve spies sent to explore Canaan and later led the Israelites into the Promised Land. He is the central figure in the book of Joshua.
- Caleb: Representative of the tribe of Judah who also spied out Canaan. While ten spies brought back a discouraging report, Caleb and Joshua proclaimed that, with God’s help, the land could be conquered.
- Korah: A Levite and descendant of Kohath, son of Izhar and cousin of Moses. Though entrusted with sacred duties managing holy objects of the sanctuary, he was ungrateful, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, and was ultimately destroyed by divine judgment.
- Balak: King of Moab. When the Israelites camped in Moab east of the Jordan, he summoned the diviner Balaam to curse Israel, but his attempt failed. Later, while the Israelites were staying at Shittim, Moabite women enticed the men of Israel to eat food sacrificed to idols and to participate in the worship of Baal of Peor.
- Balaam: A diviner from Mesopotamia hired by Balak to curse Israel. Prevented by God, he instead blessed Israel, but later advised Moab to entice the Israelites into sin of immorality and idolatry.[5] In the New Testament, he is described as one who loved the wages of wickedness and led others into idolatry.[6][7]
Structure of the Book of Numbers
| Chapters | Content | Section |
| 1–4 | First Census | Preparation to March |
| 5–8 | Institutional Reforms I | |
| 9–10 | Second Passover and Departure | Journey in the Desert |
| 11–12 | Complaints of the Israelites | |
| 13–14 | Spying Out Canaan | |
| 15 | Sacrificial Laws | |
| 16–17 | Korah’s Rebellion | |
| 18 | Duties of Priests and Levites | |
| 19 | Laws of Purification | |
| 20 | Journey Through Wilderness of Zin | |
| 21 | Bronze Snake Incident | |
| 22–25 | Balaam’s Sin | |
| 26 | Second Census | Preparation to Conquest Canaan |
| 27–30 | Institutional Reforms II | |
| 31–36 | Distribution of Canaan |
Preparation to March (Chapters 1–8)
First Census (Chapter 1–4)
At God's command, Israel conducted a census of men twenty years and older who were able to go to war, tribe by tribe. The total number exceeded 600,000. The twelve tribes camped with the Tabernacle at the center—three tribes each to the north, south, east, west.
The tribe of Levi, assigned with duties related to the Tabernacle, was counted separately. They camped around the Tabernacle in the center. Among the Levites, Aaron and his sons served as priests, while the rest assisted in Tabernacle work.
Institutional Reform I (Chapters 5–8)
Before setting out, God gave various laws: regulations about defilement, punishments for sin, the law of the Nazirite, and rules about offerings.
Journey in the Desert (Chapters 9–25)
Second Passover and Departure (Chapters 9–10)
On the evening of the 14th day of the first month in the second year after the Exodus, the Israelites observed the Second Passover in the wilderness of Sinai.
The people had remained near Mount Sinai for nearly a year, during which the Tabernacle was constructed. When the Tabernacle was set up, a cloud covered it by day and appeared as fire by night. Whenever the cloud lifted, the Israelites set out; when it remained, they stayed encamped.
On the 20th day of the second month, the cloud lifted, and with the sound of trumpets, Israel departed from Sinai toward the Wilderness of Paran.
Complaints of the Israelites (Chapters 11–12)
Along the way, the people complained about their hardships, and fire from the LORD broke out among them as punishment. Despite being provided with manna, they grew weary of it and longed for the food of Egypt. In response, God sent quail, but before they could eat it, a plague struck the camp.
Later, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses and were rebuked by God; Miriam was struck with leprosy for seven days
Spying Out Canaan (Chapters 13–14)
When Israel reached Kadesh Barnea, between the wildernesses of Paran and Zin, one leader from each of the twelve tribes was chosen to spy out Canaan.
After forty days, ten of the spies returned with a discouraging report, claiming that the inhabitants of the land were too powerful to overcome. Only Joshua and Caleb expressed faith that God would give them victory. The people sided with the ten spies, grumbling against Moses and crying out in despair.
As punishment for their unbelief, God decreed that the forty days of exploration would correspond to forty years of wandering in the wilderness. All those aged twenty years or older from the generation that left Egypt—except Joshua and Caleb—were condemned to die in the desert without entering the Promised Land.
Sacrificial Laws (Chapter 15)
God gave the Israelites detailed instructions for burnt offerings, vow offerings, freewill offerings, and offerings on appointed feasts as means for them to receive forgiveness of sins. During this period, a man who violated the Sabbath was stoned to death according to the law.
Korah’s Rebellion (Chapters 16–17)
Korah, a Levite, together with Dathan, Abiram, and On, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron, seeking to claim the priesthood for themselves. God judged them by causing the earth to open and swallow the rebels, and fire consumed 250 men who had joined them. When the people blamed Moses and Aaron for the deaths, a plague broke out among the congregation, killing 14,700 before it was stopped by Aaron’s intercession.
To confirm Aaron’s priestly authority, God caused Aaron’s staff to sprout, bud, and produce almonds among the twelve staffs representing Israel’s tribes.
Duties of Priests and Levites (Chapter 18)
Priests and Levites were appointed to serve in the Tabernacle, receiving offerings and tithes from the people as their inheritance. However, they were not to receive any land allotment in Canaan.
Laws of Purification (Chapter 19)
God instructed that water mixed with the ashes of a red heifer be used to purify those who were ceremonially unclean. This water was sprinkled on the third and seventh days to complete the purification process.
Journey Through Wilderness of Zin (Chapter 20)
At Kadesh, the people again complained about the lack of water. God commanded Moses to bring water from a rock, but when Moses and Aaron struck the rock and spoke as if the miracle were their own doing, they were barred from entering Canaan. Aaron died soon after at Mount Hor at the age of 123, and his son Eleazar succeeded him as high priest
Bronze Snake Incident (Chapter 21)
When the Israelites grew impatient on their detour around Edom, they complained against God and Moses. As a result, venomous snakes were sent among them, and many died. After the people repented, God instructed Moses to make a bronze snake and set it on a pole, declaring that anyone who looked at it would live.
The event later came to symbolize Christ’s crucifixion, through which salvation is granted to those who look to Him in faith.[8]
Balaam’s Sin (Chapters 22–25)
After a series of victories in the wilderness, Israel encamped in Moab, along the Jordan across from Jericho. During their forty years of wandering, the Israelites had become a disciplined and formidable people under God’s guidance, gaining a reputation among neighboring nations. Balak, king of Moab, fearing Israel’s advance, summoned Balaam, a renowned diviner from Mesopotamia, to curse Israel in exchange for a great reward. However, God forbade Balaam to curse His people, and instead Balaam pronounced blessings upon Israel.[5][7]
Later, Balaam advised Balak to entice the Israelites into idolatry and immorality. Many Israelites were seduced by Moabite women and participated in the worship of Baal of Peor. As a result, a plague struck the camp, killing many. The plague ceased only when Phinehas, grandson of Aaron, executed an Israelite man and a Midianite woman who had committed blatant immorality, demonstrating zeal for God’s honor.
Preparation to Conquest Canaan (Chapters 26–36)
Second Census (Chapter 26)
As the Israelites stood on the threshold of Canaan, God commanded a second census of men aged twenty years and older. The total was about 600,000, similar to the earlier census taken in Sinai. The first generation that had left Egypt had perished in the wilderness due to disobedience, while the new generation—born and raised during the forty years of wandering—was prepared to inherit the land by faith in God’s promise.
Institutional Reform II (Chapters 27–30)
God appointed Joshua as Moses’ successor. Laws regarding offerings, the Sabbath, and appointed feasts were reaffirmed.
Distribution of Canaan (Chapters 31–36)
Before entering Canaan, God instructed Moses to divide the land by tribe. The Levites, who were set apart for priestly service, received no territorial inheritance, but were instead allotted cities throughout Israel, including six cities of refuge. This arrangement enabled the Levites to teach and guide the people across all regions, helping to maintain a God-centered way of life among the Israelites.
The cities of refuge provided asylum for anyone who had killed another person unintentionally. Those who fled there remained under protection until the death of the high priest anointed with holy oil, after which they could return home safely