Numbers
Why is this book called Numbers?
Numbers 1 A year after Israel’s departure from Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai. On the first day of the second month of that year he said, “From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their clans and families. List all the men twenty years old or older who are able to go to war. You and Aaron must register the troops, and you will be assisted by one family leader from each tribe. These are the tribes and the names of the leaders who will assist you:
Tribe
Leader
Reuben
Elizur son of Shedeur
6 Simeon
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai
7 Judah
Nahshon son of Amminadab
8 Issachar
Nethanel son of Zuar
9 Zebulun
Eliab son of Helon
10 Ephraim
son of Joseph
Elishama son of Ammihud
Manasseh son of Joseph
Gamaliel son of Pedahzur
11 Benjamin
Abidan son of Gideoni
12 Dan
Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
13 Asher
Pagiel son of Ocran
14 Gad
Eliasaph son of Deuel
15 Naphtali
Ahira son of Enan
This is the number of men twenty years old or older who were able to go to war, as their names were listed in the records of their clans and families:
Tribe
Number
Reuben (Jacob’s oldest son)
46,500
22-23 Simeon
59,300
24-25 Gad
45,650
26-27 Judah
74,600
28-29 Issachar
54,400
30-31 Zebulun
57,400
32-33 Ephraim
son of Joseph
34-35 Manasseh
son of Joseph
40,500 32,200
36-37 Benjamin
35,400
38-39 Dan
62,700
40-41 Asher
41,500
42-43 Naphtali
53,400
The total number was 603,550.
Chapter 2 – Organization of Israel’s Camp Chapter 26 – Second Registration of Israel’s Troops This is 40 years after the first census was taken and is the generation who will march in and take the Promised Land. It records the pilgrimage of Israel through the desert from the foot of Mount Sinai to its encampment in the plains of Moab.
The first census generation was to die out in the wilderness as punishment for their continual grumbling and complaining against God. The second generation ends up on the east bank – because the exodus generation refused to enter by way of the more direct southern route and so were judged by God as unworthy to enter at all.
The Israelites’ long stay in the desert is a result of their grumbling and disobedience towards God. In the NT, the Israelites’ grumbling and disobedience serves as warning for us. (1 Cor. 10:1-13, Heb. 3:7-13).
Numbers begins recording the problematic issue of Israel entering into holy war Then the Israelite army captured the Midianite women and children and seized their cattle and flocks and all their wealth as plunder. They burned all the towns and villages where the Midianites had lived…. But Moses was furious with all the generals and captains who had returned from the battle. “Why have you let all the women live?” he demanded…. Kill all the boys and all the women who have had intercourse with a man. Only the young girls who are virgins may live; you may keep them for yourselves. (Num. 31:9-18).
Numbers begins recording the problematic issue of Israel entering into holy war. Israel first holy war was led exclusively by God when he rescued his people from Egypt. In this second stage of holy war God intends his people to be involved. Now they must take ownership of the actual conquest of the land.
The literature of Numbers The book of numbers has sections of story, laws, census lists, blessings and oracles – Numbers 22-24 being a lengthy and ironic section of oracles from the pagan prophet Balaam.
Balaam The Balaam cycle is told with mockery – and a touch of humor (a donkey talking to Balaam and Balaam talking back) and irony, as God uses a pagan prophet to announce God’s certain fulfilment of his covenant, even as many in Israel fall prey to cultic prostitution and idolatry.
Overall Theme of Numbers • God’s loyalty towards Israel despite Israel’s repeated failure to keep covenant with God. • Preparations for entering, conquering and worshiping in the promised land. • Despite Israel’s waffling, this is God’s story above all, and God will keep his part of the covenant with Abraham regarding his seed inheriting the land.
Numbers 1 A year after Israel’s departure from Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tabernacle in the wilderness of Sinai. On the first day of the second month of that year he said, “From the whole community of Israel, record the names of all the warriors by their clans and families. List all the men twenty years old or older who are able to go to war. You and Aaron must register the troops, and you will be assisted by one family leader from each tribe. These are the tribes and the names of the leaders who will assist you:
Tribe
Leader
Reuben
Elizur son of Shedeur
6 Simeon
Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai
7 Judah
Nahshon son of Amminadab
8 Issachar
Nethanel son of Zuar
9 Zebulun
Eliab son of Helon
10 Ephraim
son of Joseph
Elishama son of Ammihud
Manasseh son of Joseph
Gamaliel son of Pedahzur
11 Benjamin
Abidan son of Gideoni
12 Dan
Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai
13 Asher
Pagiel son of Ocran
14 Gad
Eliasaph son of Deuel
15 Naphtali
Ahira son of Enan
This is the number of men twenty years old or older who were able to go to war, as their names were listed in the records of their clans and families:
Tribe
Number
Reuben (Jacob’s oldest son)
46,500
22-23 Simeon
59,300
24-25 Gad
45,650
26-27 Judah
74,600
28-29 Issachar
54,400
30-31 Zebulun
57,400
32-33 Ephraim
son of Joseph
34-35 Manasseh
son of Joseph
40,500 32,200
36-37 Benjamin
35,400
38-39 Dan
62,700
40-41 Asher
41,500
42-43 Naphtali
53,400
The total number was 603,550.
Chapter 2 – Organization of Israel’s Camp Chapter 26 – Second Registration of Israel’s Troops This is 40 years after the first census was taken and is the generation who will march in and take the Promised Land. It records the pilgrimage of Israel through the desert from the foot of Mount Sinai to its encampment in the plains of Moab.
The first census generation was to die out in the wilderness as punishment for their continual grumbling and complaining against God. The second generation ends up on the east bank – because the exodus generation refused to enter by way of the more direct southern route and so were judged by God as unworthy to enter at all.
The Israelites’ long stay in the desert is a result of their grumbling and disobedience towards God. In the NT, the Israelites’ grumbling and disobedience serves as warning for us. (1 Cor. 10:1-13, Heb. 3:7-13).
Numbers begins recording the problematic issue of Israel entering into holy war Then the Israelite army captured the Midianite women and children and seized their cattle and flocks and all their wealth as plunder. They burned all the towns and villages where the Midianites had lived…. But Moses was furious with all the generals and captains who had returned from the battle. “Why have you let all the women live?” he demanded…. Kill all the boys and all the women who have had intercourse with a man. Only the young girls who are virgins may live; you may keep them for yourselves. (Num. 31:9-18).
Numbers begins recording the problematic issue of Israel entering into holy war. Israel first holy war was led exclusively by God when he rescued his people from Egypt. In this second stage of holy war God intends his people to be involved. Now they must take ownership of the actual conquest of the land.
The literature of Numbers The book of numbers has sections of story, laws, census lists, blessings and oracles – Numbers 22-24 being a lengthy and ironic section of oracles from the pagan prophet Balaam.
Balaam The Balaam cycle is told with mockery – and a touch of humor (a donkey talking to Balaam and Balaam talking back) and irony, as God uses a pagan prophet to announce God’s certain fulfilment of his covenant, even as many in Israel fall prey to cultic prostitution and idolatry.
Overall Theme of Numbers • God’s loyalty towards Israel despite Israel’s repeated failure to keep covenant with God. • Preparations for entering, conquering and worshiping in the promised land. • Despite Israel’s waffling, this is God’s story above all, and God will keep his part of the covenant with Abraham regarding his seed inheriting the land.
