Numbers

Numbers is traditionally attributed to Moses and covers the period from the second year after the exodus from Egypt to the fortieth year, as Israel journeyed from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. The book's Hebrew name, בְּמִדְבַּר ("In the Wilderness"), captures its setting and theme far better than the English title, which derives from the two censuses recorded in chapters 1 and 26. Numbers picks up where Leviticus left off: the tabernacle has been completed (Exodus 40:17), the sacrificial system has been established, and now the nation must organize itself for the march to the Promised Land. What should have been an eleven-day journey (Deuteronomy 1:2) became a thirty-eight-year detour through the wilderness because of Israel's persistent unbelief and rebellion.

The book is a sobering narrative of God's faithfulness set against the backdrop of human failure. Israel grumbles about food, rebels against Moses' leadership, refuses to enter the land after the spies' report, and falls into idolatry at Baal Peor. Yet through it all, God continues to provide manna, water, guidance, and military victory. He disciplines His people but does not abandon them. The New Testament draws heavily on these events: Paul warns the Corinthians that "these things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us" (1 Corinthians 10:1-12), and the author of Hebrews holds up the wilderness generation as a cautionary example of unbelief that forfeits God's rest (Hebrews 3:7-4:11). Numbers also contains treasures of enduring significance: the Aaronic blessing (Numbers 6:24-26), Balaam's messianic prophecy of a star rising from Jacob (Numbers 24:17), and the bronze serpent that Jesus himself identified as a type of his crucifixion (Numbers 21:8-9; John 3:14-15). Moses' review of these events in Deuteronomy 1:1-3 provides an important retrospective on the lessons learned.

Structure

Numbers can be divided into several major sections:

• Preparation at Sinai (1:1-10:10): The first census of Israel's fighting men, the arrangement of the camp around the tabernacle, the duties of the three Levitical clans, laws on purity and restitution, the Nazirite vow, the Aaronic blessing, the tribal leaders' offerings for the altar dedication, the consecration of the Levites, the second Passover, and the silver trumpets for assembling and marching.
• From Sinai to Kadesh (10:11-12:16): Israel's departure from Sinai in marching order, the people's complaints about hardship and food, the sending of quail and the plague at Kibroth-hattaavah, the appointment of seventy elders to share Moses' burden, and Miriam and Aaron's challenge to Moses' unique authority.
• The Crisis at Kadesh (chapters 13-14): The sending of twelve spies into Canaan, the fearful report of ten spies versus the faithful report of Caleb and Joshua, the people's rebellion and desire to return to Egypt, and God's decree that the entire adult generation will die in the wilderness over forty years.
• Wilderness Wandering Laws and Events (chapters 15-19): Supplementary laws on offerings and tassels, the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, the budding of Aaron's staff to confirm the Levitical priesthood, duties and portions for priests and Levites, and the red heifer ritual for purification from corpse contamination.
• From Kadesh to Moab (chapters 20-21): The death of Miriam, water from the rock at Meribah (where Moses strikes instead of speaking and is barred from the land), the death of Aaron on Mount Hor, the bronze serpent, and Israel's victories over the Canaanites at Hormah and the Amorite kings Sihon and Og.
• The Balaam Narrative (chapters 22-24): Balak king of Moab summons the prophet Balaam to curse Israel, God's intervention through a speaking donkey, and Balaam's four oracles that bless Israel instead of cursing them, culminating in the prophecy of a star and scepter from Jacob.
• Sin and Preparation for Entry (chapters 25-36): Israel's sin at Baal Peor, the second census, the inheritance petition of Zelophehad's daughters, the commissioning of Joshua, the calendar of offerings and festivals, laws on vows, the war against Midian, the settlement of Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh east of the Jordan, a summary of Israel's wilderness journey, the boundaries of the Promised Land, the allocation of Levitical cities and cities of refuge, and the supplement to the inheritance law.

Chapters

1. 1The first census of Israel's fighting men, totaling 603,550, with the Levites exempted from the military count.
2. 2The arrangement of the twelve tribes around the tabernacle in four camps of three tribes each.
3. 3The duties of the Levites and the numbering of the Levitical clans: Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites.
4. 4Specific duties assigned to the Kohathites, Gershonites, and Merarites for transporting the tabernacle, with a census of eligible workers.
5. 5Laws on purity in the camp, restitution for wrongs, and the ordeal of jealousy (the bitter water test for suspected adultery).
6. 6The Nazirite vow of consecration and the Aaronic blessing ("The LORD bless you and keep you").
7. 7The offerings of the twelve tribal leaders for the dedication of the tabernacle altar over twelve days.
8. 8The arrangement of the lampstand lamps and the consecration and purification of the Levites for service.
9. 9The observance of the second Passover and the provision for those unable to celebrate at the appointed time, plus the cloud guiding Israel's movements.
10. 10The silver trumpets for summoning the assembly and the departure from Sinai in marching order.
11. 11The people's complaints about hardship and craving for meat; God sends quail but also a severe plague, and Moses appoints seventy elders.
12. 12Miriam and Aaron challenge Moses' authority; God affirms Moses' unique prophetic status and strikes Miriam with a skin disease.
13. 13Twelve spies are sent to scout Canaan; ten return with a discouraging report while Caleb and Joshua urge the people to trust God.
14. 14The people rebel and refuse to enter the land; God decrees forty years of wandering, and only Caleb and Joshua will survive to enter Canaan.
15. 15Supplementary laws on offerings, the penalty for intentional Sabbath-breaking, and the command to wear tassels on garments.
16. 16Korah, Dathan, and Abiram lead a rebellion against Moses and Aaron; the earth swallows the rebels and fire consumes 250 men offering incense.
17. 17Aaron's staff buds, blossoms, and produces almonds, confirming the Levitical priesthood as God's chosen.
18. 18The duties and portions assigned to priests and Levites, including their share of offerings and the tithe of tithes.
19. 19The ritual of the red heifer and the preparation of the water of purification for cleansing from corpse contamination.
20. 20Miriam dies, Moses strikes the rock instead of speaking to it and is barred from the Promised Land, and Aaron dies on Mount Hor.
21. 21Israel defeats the Canaanites at Hormah, the bronze serpent heals those bitten by snakes, and victories over Sihon and Og are won.
22. 22Balak king of Moab summons the prophet Balaam to curse Israel; God intervenes through a speaking donkey on the road.
23. 23Balaam delivers two oracles of blessing over Israel instead of the curses Balak requested.
24. 24Balaam delivers a third and fourth oracle, including the prophecy of a star rising from Jacob, and then departs.
25. 25Israel falls into idolatry and sexual immorality at Baal Peor; Phinehas' zeal halts a plague that kills 24,000.
26. 26The second census numbers Israel at 601,730 fighting men, with the land to be apportioned by lot according to tribal size.
27. 27The daughters of Zelophehad successfully petition for inheritance rights, and Joshua is commissioned as Moses' successor.
28. 28Daily, Sabbath, and monthly offerings are prescribed, along with offerings for Passover and the Feast of Weeks.
29. 29Offerings for the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the eight days of the Feast of Tabernacles are prescribed.
30. 30Laws governing vows made by men, unmarried women, married women, and widows or divorced women.
31. 31Israel wages war against Midian in retaliation for the Baal Peor incident, with the purification of soldiers and distribution of plunder.
32. 32The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh request and receive land east of the Jordan on condition they help conquer Canaan.
33. 33A summary of Israel's journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab, listing forty-two encampments.
34. 34The boundaries of the Promised Land are defined, and leaders are appointed to distribute the land among the tribes.
35. 35Forty-eight cities are assigned to the Levites, including six cities of refuge for those who commit accidental manslaughter.
36. 36A supplement to the inheritance law of Zelophehad's daughters: women who inherit land must marry within their own tribe.