NUMBERS
Title:
The name which the Hebrews called this book, “In the desert”, is more descriptive of its contents than the English name “Numbers”, which came from the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament).
Author and date:
See the Introduction to Genesis.
Theme:
Israel under God’s training in the desert. The desert (or wilderness) wanderings were a punishment from God, but through them God taught Israel (and teaches us) many important lessons. He showed them that unbelief, disobedience, and complaining against His ways bring grief and trouble, but that trust and obedience result in blessing. Through the 40 years in the desert God also showed His faithfulness to His promises and prepared His people to enter the promised land.
Contents:
Numbering the people 1:1-54
Arrangement of the tribes for their journeys 2:1-34
The tribe of Levi 3:1-51
The duties of the 3 families of the Levites 4:1-33
Numbering the 3 families of the Levites 4:34-49
Various instructions for life in the camp 5:1-31
Nazirites 6:1-21
How the priests were to bless the people 6:22-27
Offerings by the tribal leaders 7:1-89
Consecrating the tribe of Levi 8:1-26
The first Passover after Egypt 9:1-14
God’s cloud 9:15-23
The trumpet signals 10:1-10
Israel leaves Sinai 10:11-36
God punishes complaining with fire 11:1-3
God sends quail and punishment with them 11:4-35
Aaron and Miriam rise up against Moses 12:1-16
The spies go into Canaan 13:1-25
The spies’ bad report 13:26-33
Israel rebels at Kadesh-Barnea 14:1-10
God’s anger and Moses’ prayer 14:11-19
God decrees punishment 14:20-38
Israel disobeys again 14:39-45
Laws for various offerings 15:1-29
The punishment for presumptuous, wilful sin 15:30-36
Tassels on clothes 15:37-41
Rebellion of Korah and his friends 16:1-22
Punishment of Korah and his friends 16:25-35
Israel complains and rebels again 16:41-50
Aaron’s staff sprouts 17:1-12
Duties of priests and Levites 18:1-7
Support of priests and Levites 18:9-32
Water of purification for uncleanness 19:1-22
Moses disobeys in anger and strikes the rock 20:2-11
The penalty for Moses’ disobedience 20:12
Edom refuses passage to Israel 20:14-21
Death of Aaron 20:22-29
The bronze snake 21:4-9
The journey to Moab 21:10-20
The defeat of Sihon and Og 21:21-35
Balak sends for Balaam to curse Israel 22:1-41
Balaam’s refusal 22:8-13
Balaam’s consent 22:14-20
Balaam’s donkey 22:21-31
Balaam’s messages 23:1—24:25
Israel sins at Baal-Peor 25:1-18
The second census 26:1-65
Right of inheritance for daughters 27:1-11
Moses’ successor 27:12-23
Laws concerning offerings, sacrifices, feasts 28:1—29:40
Vows 30:1-16
War against Midian 31:1-54
Inheritance east of the Jordan 32:1-42
Summary of journeys from Egypt to Moab 33:1-56
The borders of Israel’s possession in Canaan 34:1-29
Towns for the Levites 35:1-5
Cities of refuge 35:6-34
Inheritance for daughters 36:1-13