The english name of the book comes from the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot and is based on the census lists found in. This would mean that the total population of the entire nation would approximate 2. There were twelve tribes in the first census, with a total population of about. Exodus ends by relating the erection of the tabernacle on the first day of nissan, and numbers starts with a census taken a month later, just a little over a year.
While the census is taken ostensibly for war, as the israelites. Mendenhall university of michigan t here seems to be a consensus among those who have treated of the census lists in the book of numbers since 1903, on at least two points. Scholars speculate that part of dathans and abirams resentment towards moses was because moses was descended from a younger son, levi. Numbers 1 nrsv the first census of israel bible gateway. A chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of numbers taught by pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario, oregon. The second census, mentioned at the beginning of parashat phinehas immediately. The portion of bamidbar is the first in the book of numbers, and opens it with a census. The israelites disobedience and lack of faith caused god to make them wander in the desert until all the people of that generation had diedwith a few important exceptions.
The book of numbers takes its name from the account of the census that happened two times among the congregation of israel in numbers 14 and numbers. Ones first impression is that the numbers are random. In the first case these preparations come to a tragic end when scouts are sent forth to survey the promised land chaps. Numbers is so named because a census of israel is taken twice in the book. Reuben s tribe lost 2,770 men since the first census 6%. This is 38 years, eight months and ten days after the nation departed from sinai deut 1. The total number of israels military given in numbers 1. The book has a long and complex history, but its final form is probably due to a priestly redaction i. Numbers i and the lord spake unto moses in tire wilderness of sinai, saying, 2 take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of israel, after their families, by the house of their fathers, with the number of their names, every male by their polls 3. What is the difference between the ceremonial law, the moral law, and the judicial law in the old testament. In the book of numbers, we have two censuses taken of the militaryage men of israel. In the book of numbers, we find that the israelites under moses undertook a first and second census of the tribes of israel while they were in the wilderness.
God orders a census of the people be taken, and read more. These are those which were numbered of the children of israel by the house of their fathers. Each part begins with a census of the people chaps. Book of numbers bible survey who was aaron in the bible. In fact, the israel bible points out, these are what give the book its english name its hebrew name, like that of the portion bamidbar means in the desert, also an apt description. The number of males 20 years and older implies a population of well over 2,000,000, including women and children.
Israel prepares for the journey to the promised land numbers 1. Numbers with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Do not, however, take a census of the levites, or register them with the other israelites, but enroll the levites to take charge of the dwelling where to testimony is and of all its furnishings and belongings. Both dathan and abiram were from reuben, the firstborn from jacob. The book of numbers records two censuses of israelite males 20 years and older i. It describes moses taking two population censuses, hence the name numbers. Numbers is a historical book, whose name refers to the two censuses which were taken to number the people. The book of leviticus as well as the book of numbers follow immediately after the book of exodus. In the book of numbers god tells moses to take a census.
From chapters 19 the israelites are preparing for their journey and entry into the promise land. The first census was completed while the israelites were still at mount sinai chapters 12, and the second one came 38 years later when they arrived at the borders of canaan at. Other nonliteral approaches have been suggested for the reading of the numbers in the census. In chapter 26, we find a similar census taken of the men of the second generation, those about to enter the promised land of canaan. This summary of the book of numbers provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of numbers. The results of those enumerations of the tribes of israel reveal some surprising results. The purpose of the book of numbers is to tell about how israel prepared to enter the promise land, but sinned and was punished. Exodus ends by relating the erection of the tabernacle on the first day of nissan, and numbers starts with a census taken a month later, just a little over a year after the children of israel came out of egypt. The book is called numbers because of the two censuses taken of the twelve tribes of israel during their journey towards the promised land, following the exodus from egypt. The book begins with a detailed account of the first census. The people complain, miriam and aaron oppose moses, and the people refuse to enter canaan because of the reports of the unfaithful spies numbers 10. The theme of descendants marks the first event in numbers, the census of israels fighting men. Because a census was done the book is called the book of numbers. It goes on to detail the order in which the tribes would encamp around the tabernacle, and the.
It has been a year since the people left egypt, and the tabernacle is entering its operational stage. The theme of the book of numbers is judgement on the old generation and hope on the new one. At the same time the story of zelophehads daughters does provide a fitting conclusion to the book of numbers. Types and shadows in numbers jesus is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. This numbering of the people is not a complete census, however. Census in the bible the book of numbers derives its name from the two recorded censuses made of the israelite people, one at the beginning of the 40year wilderness experience and one at the end. Theyve been in this same spot for about a year and now theyre getting ready to start out on their journey to this land flowing with milk and honey that god keeps talking about. Numbers 34 also explains that all the firstborn among the children of israel belong. The first census begins the book and was taken in the sinai desert in the year following the exodus. Why does the book of numbers begin with a census answers. The reappearance of these daughters of zelophehad right at the end of numbers reminds the reader that gods last command to moses 27. Numbers was written in the final year of moses life. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from the book of numbers 1.
Numbers 1 nkjv the first census of israel now the bible. The book of numbers was named after the first key word bemidbar in hebrew scripture, which appropriately means in the desert, the place where the israelites spent forty years following the exodus. The first census of all of the israelites men over twenty years old was taken to account for army two years after they had left egypt, with the total being 603,550, excluding the levites 22,273 who were assigned to take care of the tabernacle. There were twelve tribes in the first census, with a total population of about 600,000 men of miltary age, averaging out to about 50,000 per tribe. The book of numbers opens with god telling moses to take a census of the people. There are a couple possible reasons to explain why god ordered a census of the people of israel in the book of numbers. How did the total numbers in the first census compare with. The stated purpose of the israeli census, according to numbers 1. The levites were not included in the census, as god has other plans for them.
Numbers in the picture study bible the book of numbers. This is the first of several censuses which will be taken in the book of numbers. This is the exact same place where the israelites have been hanging out since god freed them from slavery back in exodus. The book of numbers itself refers to the writing of moses in 33. Numbers 1 new revised standard version nrsv the first census of israel. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel.
The book draws its name from the census made of the people, a necessary step toward their organization and future government. The census taken in the first year of the wilderness period totals 603,550 numbers 1. God could have commanded the census to reveal his power in redeeming such a large number of people or to list those who were able to serve in war numbers 1. The title of the book of numbers in the king james version comes from the latin vulgate numeri numbers, which is descriptive of the census given in the first. The censusold testament seminary student study guide. The first census in the old testament is in the fourth book of moses called numbers chapter 26 verse 1. While the census is taken ostensibly for war, as the israelites should be entering the promised land imminently, the sages point out that the. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the hebrew bible, and the fourth of five books of the. Deuteronomy opens with a reference to the first day of the eleventh month of the 40th year. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from.