The Fourth Book of Moses Called
NUMBERS
Author: Traditionally, Moses
Date: About 1400 B.C.
Theme: Yahweh’s Guiding Presence for the Journey from Sinai to Transjordan
Key Words: Census, Murmuring, Purity, Tabernacle of Meeting
Author. Authorship is traditionally ascribed to Moses, the central personality of the book. Numbers 33:2 makes specific reference to Moses writing down points about the wilderness journey.
The English title Numbers is taken from its title (arithmoi) in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint), followed by the Latin Vulgate (numeri). In the Hebrew text the name of the book is In the Wilderness, taken from the opening line, “The LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai.”
Date. Assuming Mosaic authorship, it was likely written about 1400 B.C., shortly before his death. Events in the book span about 40 years, beginning shortly after the Exodus in 1440 B.C.
Content. The division of the opening books of the Old Testament into five books or scrolls, (called “The Pentateuch,” meaning “Five Scrolls”), should not obscure the point that each of the five books is a continuation of the preceding. Moses, whose birth is recounted in Exodus 2 and whose death is narrated in Deuteronomy 34, is the figure who unites the story from Exodus through Deuteronomy.
The Book of Numbers continues the account of the Mosaic period, which begins in Exodus. It begins with Israel still at Sinai. The Israelites’ entry into the Wilderness of Sinai is recorded in Exodus 19:1. Israel leaves Sinai at Numbers 10:11.
Numbers has two major divisions: 1) the section containing instructions while still at Sinai (1:1–10:10); 2) the wilderness journey, which covers the itinerary from Sinai to the plains of Moab across the Jordan from the Promised Land (10:1–36:13). The instructions at Sinai deal with the preparation for the journey, and the rest of the book tells of the journey itself.
The instructions at Sinai (1:1–10:10) cover a variety of topics, but those dealing with the preparation for the journey dominate. Chapters 1–4 deal with a series of instructions to number (take a census of) various groups followed by a report of the compliance with the command. Chapters 5 and 6 deal with ritual uncleanness, marital unfaithfulness, and Nazirites. In chapter 7 the leaders of the people bring offerings for the tabernacle. Chapter 8 deals with the consecration of the Levites. Chapter 9 deals with Passover and the cloud and fire; the preparation motif is reconsidered in 10:1–10, where the instructions are given for signal trumpets to be made.
The section of Numbers that deals with the journey (10:1–36:13) has two major parts. First, 10:1–25:18 describes the perishing of the generation that experienced Yahweh’s deliverance from Egypt. The key points in this part are the accounts of the complaints, rebellions, and disobedience of the first generation, which led to their deaths.
paration of the second generation for entry into the Promised Land. It begins with a new census (compare ch. 1), noting that the entire first generation, except Joshua, Caleb, and Moses, had died in the wilderness. This section ends with the apportionment of the land among the tribes after they have entered the Promised Land.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
NUMBERS
Author: Traditionally, Moses
Date: About 1400 B.C.
Theme: Yahweh’s Guiding Presence for the Journey from Sinai to Transjordan
Key Words: Census, Murmuring, Purity, Tabernacle of Meeting
Author. Authorship is traditionally ascribed to Moses, the central personality of the book. Numbers 33:2 makes specific reference to Moses writing down points about the wilderness journey.
The English title Numbers is taken from its title (arithmoi) in the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint), followed by the Latin Vulgate (numeri). In the Hebrew text the name of the book is In the Wilderness, taken from the opening line, “The LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai.”
Date. Assuming Mosaic authorship, it was likely written about 1400 B.C., shortly before his death. Events in the book span about 40 years, beginning shortly after the Exodus in 1440 B.C.
Content. The division of the opening books of the Old Testament into five books or scrolls, (called “The Pentateuch,” meaning “Five Scrolls”), should not obscure the point that each of the five books is a continuation of the preceding. Moses, whose birth is recounted in Exodus 2 and whose death is narrated in Deuteronomy 34, is the figure who unites the story from Exodus through Deuteronomy.
The Book of Numbers continues the account of the Mosaic period, which begins in Exodus. It begins with Israel still at Sinai. The Israelites’ entry into the Wilderness of Sinai is recorded in Exodus 19:1. Israel leaves Sinai at Numbers 10:11.
Numbers has two major divisions: 1) the section containing instructions while still at Sinai (1:1–10:10); 2) the wilderness journey, which covers the itinerary from Sinai to the plains of Moab across the Jordan from the Promised Land (10:1–36:13). The instructions at Sinai deal with the preparation for the journey, and the rest of the book tells of the journey itself.
The instructions at Sinai (1:1–10:10) cover a variety of topics, but those dealing with the preparation for the journey dominate. Chapters 1–4 deal with a series of instructions to number (take a census of) various groups followed by a report of the compliance with the command. Chapters 5 and 6 deal with ritual uncleanness, marital unfaithfulness, and Nazirites. In chapter 7 the leaders of the people bring offerings for the tabernacle. Chapter 8 deals with the consecration of the Levites. Chapter 9 deals with Passover and the cloud and fire; the preparation motif is reconsidered in 10:1–10, where the instructions are given for signal trumpets to be made.
The section of Numbers that deals with the journey (10:1–36:13) has two major parts. First, 10:1–25:18 describes the perishing of the generation that experienced Yahweh’s deliverance from Egypt. The key points in this part are the accounts of the complaints, rebellions, and disobedience of the first generation, which led to their deaths.
paration of the second generation for entry into the Promised Land. It begins with a new census (compare ch. 1), noting that the entire first generation, except Joshua, Caleb, and Moses, had died in the wilderness. This section ends with the apportionment of the land among the tribes after they have entered the Promised Land.
Jack W. Hayford, Spirit Filled Life Study Bible
