What makes Numbers special?

The title "Numbers" comes from the Greek ( Arithmoi ) and Latin ( Numeri ) names for this book. The title in Hebrew is based on a word that means "in the desert." Both titles reflect what the book is about. Many lists of groups and numbers of people are included (see 1:20; 3:21; 7:12; 26:5; 26:57), but more important is the description of the Israelites' desert journey toward the land God promised them. That promised land represented true freedom and escape from slavery in Egypt.

Why was Numbers written?

Numbers describes the Israelite people's journey in the desert wilderness. There they learn how God wishes them to be organized, and how the Levites are to help Israel's priests. They also find out who will be chosen to lead them when they enter Canaan.

But the Israelites' desert journey also shows the rebellious side of the people. They complain that God has brought them out to the wilderness to starve or to die of thirst. They plot to get rid of their leaders, Moses and Aaron. Because of these sins, God does not allow them an easy, straight path to the land of promise. Instead, all those in the older generation who left Egypt (including Moses) must wander for forty years and eventually die in the desert wilderness. Only those in the younger generation (14:22,23,29,30) would follow the faithful leaders, Joshua and Caleb, into Canaan. The lesson is about trust in God. Those who obey and trust God will receive God's blessings. Those who don't will not receive the blessings connected with God's promises.

The goal of entering the promised land is what drives the Israelites' journey, but those people who already live in and near that land are against the Israelites. To these people, the Israelites are a threat. Numbers introduces the idea of a Holy War, in which God helps the Israelite people fight against and destroy their enemies.

What's the story behind the scene?

Numbers is the fourth book of the five-part section of the Old Testament known as the Pentateuch. It continues the story of the wandering Israelite people which began in Exodus and continued in Leviticus. While Leviticus describes the Israelite people learning God's laws concerning holiness as they camp at Mount Sinai, Numbers depicts the Israelite people on the move. Moses has traditionally been identified as the book's author, and much of the material in the book may date back that far. But it is likely that scribes and editors who lived centuries later put the book in the form we know today.

How is Numbers constructed?

Numbers is made up of many different kinds of material. Those who have tried to find a structure usually point to two different ways of looking at its organization. One divides the book based on the two generations of Israelites who wandered in the desert. Chapters 1-25 focus on the older, disobedient generation, while chapters 26-36 mainly focus on the younger generation, who would enter the promised land of Canaan.

The second way of organizing Numbers divides the book according to where the action takes place. The following outline uses this geographical way of structuring the book:

Israel in camp at Sinai (1:1-10:10)

• The people are counted and organized (1:1-2:34)
• The duties of the priests and Levites (3:1-4:49)
• Instructions for God's holy people (5:1-10:10)

Israel's journey from Sinai to Moab (10:11-22:1)

• From Sinai to the Paran Desert (10:11-12:16)
• Trouble at the Paran Desert Camp at Kadesh (13:1-20:13)
• From Kadesh to Moab (20:14-22:1)

The Moab Camp: Preparing to enter Canaan (22:2-36:13)

• The Stories of Balaam and the worship of Baal (22:2-25:18)
• Counting and instructing a new generation (26:1-30:16)
• Getting ready to cross the Jordan River (31:1-36:13)