Numbers
The Book of Numbers describes Israel’s journey from Mt. Sinai to the edge of the Promised Land.
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Worshipping Baal
SUMMARY
Title
The Septuagint calls this book “Arithmoi,” which means “Numbers.”
That is fitting since the book contains population figures, the totals of the priests and Levites, and other numerical data.
In Hebrew, the name of the book is “b’midbar.” That is the fifth word in the book. It means “in the desert of.”
Author
Universal Jewish and Christian tradition attributes the Book of Numbers, along with the rest of the Pentateuch, to Moses.
But in modern days, critical scholars insist that Exodus was compiled from various sources. This seems to be the product of rationalistic skepticism.
Date
The last verse in the Book of Numbers states:
Numbers 36:13. These are the commands and regulations the Lord gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.”
This suggests the journey through the wilderness had been completed, and Israel was about to cross the Jordan River and enter the land of Canaan.
The Exodus took place in 1446 BC. Crossing the Jordan River occurred 40 years after the Exodus. So the Book of Numbers is dated 1406 BC.
The death of Moses is also dated in 1446 BC. So Moses would have written the Book of Numbers prior to his death.
Purpose
The Book of Numbers describes the LORD God’s expectations, and Israel’s reactions, over the nearly 40-year period from the giving of the Law at Sinai until the eve of the conquest of the Promised Land.
The expectations of the LORD God fall into three categories:
- How the nation is to order itself while journeying
- How the priests and Levites were to function while journeying
- How to prepare for their conquest of the Promised Land and their settled lives there.
As for Israel’s reactions, they both succeeded and failed at keeping those expectations.
OUTLINE
PREPARATION FOR TRAVEL
The order of the tribes
Numbers 1:1-3. The first census of Israel
Numbers 1:4-19. Those to assist Moses
Numbers 1:20-46. The census results
Numbers 1:47-54. The Levites were omitted
Numbers 2:1-2. Organizing the camp
Numbers 2:3-9. To the east of the Tent of Meeting
Numbers 2:10-17. To the south of the Tent of Meeting
Numbers 2:18-24. To the west of the Tent of Meeting
Numbers 2:25-34. To the north of the Tent of Meeting
Instructions to the Levites
Numbers 3:1-4. The sons of Aaron
Numbers 3:5-13. The Levites serve under Aaron
Numbers 3:14-39. The census of the Levites
Numbers 3:40-51. Redeeming the firstborn sons
Numbers 4:1-20. Duties of the sons of Kohath
Numbers 4:21-28. Duties of the sons of Gershon
Numbers 4:29-33. Duties of the sons of Merari
Numbers 4:34-49. Summary of the census
Cleansing and consecration
Numbers 5:1-4. Expel “unclean” people
Numbers 5:5-10. Make restitution for sin
Numbers 5:11-31. A jealous husband
Numbers 6:1-21. The Nazirite Vow
Numbers 6:22-27. The Aaronic Blessing
Tabernacle service
Numbers 7:1-83. Offerings from each of the tribes
Numbers 8:1-4. Preparing the seven Lamps
Numbers 8:5-22. Dedication of the Levites
Numbers 8:23-26. The age range for Levitical ministry
Passover instructions
Numbers 9:1-14. The Passover in Sinai
The accompaniment of the LORD
Numbers 9:15-23. The Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire
THE JOURNEY TO KADESH BARNEA
The departure from Sinai
Numbers 10:1-10. The two Shofars
Numbers 10:11-28. They depart from Sinai
Numbers 10:29-32. Hobab will guide them
Numbers 10:33-36. They depart into the desert
The rebellion of the people
Numbers 11:1-15. Complaining in the desert
Numbers 11:16-23. The Seventy Elders
Numbers 11:24-29. The Spirit is sent
Numbers 11:30-35. They eat quail
The rebellion of Miriam and Aaron
Numbers 12:1-9. Aaron and Mirian complain about Moses
Numbers 12:10-16. Only Miriam is punished
Spying out the Promised Land
Numbers 13:1-24. Twelve spies explore the Promised Land
Numbers 13:25-33. The spies return
Numbers 14:1-9. The people revolt
Numbers 14:10-12. The LORD sentences them
Numbers 14:13-25. Moses intercedes
Numbers 14:26-45. The sins of the fathers
THE JOURNEY TO THE PLAINS OF MOAB
The rehearsal of the covenant statutes
Numbers 15:1-21. Future offerings
Numbers 15:22-31. Sin offerings
Numbers 15:32-36. They execute a man for gathering sticks
Numbers 15:37-41. Tassels on clothing
The rebellion of Korah
Numbers 16:1-50. Korah’s rebellion
The vindication of Aaron
Numbers 17:1-13. Aaron’s staff
The roles and privileges of the priests and Levites
Numbers 18:1-7. Aaron and the Levites
Numbers 18:8-24. Sacrificial offerings are income
Numbers 18:25-32. Levites must pay tithes
The laws of purification
Numbers 19:1-10. The red heifer
Numbers 19:11-22. Touching a dead body
The journey in the Desert of Zin
Numbers 20:2-13. The waters of Meribah
Numbers 20:14-21. Edom refuses passage
The journey to Moab
Numbers 21:1-3. Victory over Atharim
Numbers 21:4-9. The bronze snake
Numbers 21:10-20. Their journey around Moab
Numbers 21:21-32. Victory over Sihon
Numbers 21:33-35. Victory over Og
THE MOABITES AND BALAAM
The plight of Moab
Numbers 22:1-14. Balak asks Balaam to curse the Israelites
Numbers 22:15-20. Balak asks Balaam again
Numbers 22:21-36. A donkey speaks to Balaam
The oracles of Balaam
Numbers 23:1-12. Balaam blesses Israel
Numbers 23:13-26. Balaam blesses Israel again
Numbers 23:27-30. Balaam blesses Israel a third time
Numbers 24:1-14. Balaam blesses Israel a third time, continued
Numbers 24:15-25. Balaam blesses Israel a fourth time
The idolatry of Israel
Numbers 25:1-5. They worship Baal
Numbers 25:6-15. Phinehas kills people for God
Numbers 25:16-18. The Midianites strike back
FINAL PREPARATION FOR ENTERING CANAAN
The provisions for inheritance
Numbers 26:1-50. Moses takes a census
Numbers 26:51. Results of the census
Numbers 26:52-56. Allotment of the land
Numbers 26:57-65. The Tribe of Levi
Numbers 27:1-4. The Daughters of Zelophehad
Numbers 27:5-11. Laws benefitting women
Succession to Moses
Numbers 27:12-23. Joshua is chosen as leader
Laws concerning offerings
Numbers 28:1-8. Daily offerings
Numbers 28:9-10. Sabbath offerings
Numbers 28:11-15. Monthly offerings
Numbers 28:16-25. Passover offerings
Numbers 28:26-31. First Fruits offerings
Numbers 29:1-6. Festival of Trumpets offerings
Numbers 29:7-11. Day of Atonement offerings
Numbers 29:12-40. Festival of Booths offerings
Laws concerning vows
Numbers 30:1-16. A vow made by a woman
God’s judgment on the Midianites
Numbers 31:1-12. War against Midian
Numbers 31:13-18. Treatment of the captives
Numbers 31:19-24. Purification after combat
Numbers 31:25-47. Dividing the plunder
Numbers 31:48-54. Gifts of the officers
The inheritance of the Eastern tribes
Numbers 32:1-42. Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh
Their journey from Egypt
Numbers 33:1-49. Looking back: remembering their journey
Final instructions about conquest and inheritance
Numbers 33:50-56. Looking ahead: conquering the Promised Land
Numbers 34:1-15. The borders of the Promised Land
Numbers 34:16-29. Officials to supervise the allotments
Numbers 35:1-8. Cities for the Levites
Numbers 35:9-15. Cities of Refuge
Numbers 35:16-29. Using evidence
Numbers 35:30. Two or three witnesses
Numbers 36:1-12. Marriage of female heirs
Numbers 36:13. Conclusion of the Book of Numbers
MEMORIZE
Numbers 7:89. When Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard his voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; and he spoke to him.
Numbers 12:3. Now the man Moses was very humble, more than all the men who were on the surface of the earth.
Numbers 12:6. He said, “Now hear my words. If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will make myself known to him in a vision. I will speak with him in a dream.
Numbers 23:19. God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” (KJV translation)
Great verses to memorize from the entire Bible
NUMBERS
CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36
RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Worshipping Baal