BOOK 4. NUMBERS.
BOOK 4. NUMBERS.
BOOK 4. NUMBERS.
BOOK 4. NUMBERS.
				
The Book of Numbers literally means "In the desert" and is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible and the fourth of five books of the Jewish Torah. It tells the story of Israel's journey from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab on the border of Canaan. It was written by Moses about 1450-1410 B.C. and describes Moses taking two population censuses, hence the name Numbers. The purpose of the book is to tell about how Israel prepared to enter the promised land, but sinned and was punished. The book has a long and complex history; its final form is possibly due to a Priestly editing of a Yahwistic source made sometime in the early Persian period (5th century BC). The name of the book comes from the two censuses taken of the Israelites. Numbers is one of the better-preserved books of the Pentateuch. Fragments of the Ketef Hinnom scrolls containing verses from Numbers have been dated as far back as the late seventh or early sixth century BC. These verses are the earliest known artifacts to be found in the Hebrew Bible text. 

Numbers begins at Mount Sinai, where the Israelites have received their laws and covenant from God and God has taken up residence among them in the sanctuary. The task before them is to take possession of the Promised Land. The people are counted and preparations are made for resuming their march. The Israelites begin the journey, but complain about the hardships along the way and about the authority of Moses and Aaron. They arrive at the borders of Canaan and send twelve spies into the land. Upon hearing the spies' fearful report concerning the conditions in Canaan, the Israelites refuse to take possession of it. God condemns them to death in the wilderness until a new generation can grow up and carry out the task. Furthermore, there were some who rebelled against Moses and for these acts, God destroyed approximately 15,000 of them through various means. The book ends with the new generation of Israelites in the plains of Moab ready for the crossing of the Jordan River. Numbers is the culmination of the story of Israel's exodus from oppression in Egypt and their journey to take possession of the land God promised their fathers. As such it draws to a conclusion the themes introduced in Genesis and played out in Exodus and Leviticus: God has promised the Israelites that they shall become a great and numerous nation, that they will have a special relationship with Him, and that they shall take possession of the land of Canaan. Numbers also demonstrates the importance of holiness, faithfulness, and trust. Despite God's presence and His priests, Israel lacks in faith and the possession of the land is left to a new generation.

BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS. CHAPTERS 1 THRU 36. . . . .				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS. CHAPTERS 1 THRU 36. . . . .				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS. CHAPTERS 1 THRU 36. . . . .				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS. CHAPTERS 1 THRU 36. . . . .				

BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 1. The LORD told Moses to count the Israelite armies. The number of men over twenty years old was 603,550. The Levites were not counted.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 2. The Israelites shall camp around the tabernacle: Judah to the east, Reuben to the south, Ephraim to the west and Dan to the north.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 3. The Levites are to assist Aaron. I have taken them in place of every firstborn. The number of Levites over one month old was 22,000.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 4. The Kohathites are to carry the most holy things. The Gershonites are to carry the coverings. The Merarites are to carry the frame.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 5. Anyone who sins shall make restitution and add a fifth. If a man suspects his wife of unfaithfulness he shall take her to the priest.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 6. Anyone who makes a Nazirite vow shall not drink wine or cut their hair. Aaron's blessing shall be: "The LORD bless you and keep you."				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 7. The leader of each tribe brought a grain offering, a burnt offering, a sin offering and peace offerings. Moses spoke with the LORD.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 8. Present the Levites as a wave offering to the LORD and make atonement for them. I have set them apart to serve at the tent of meeting.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 9. In the first month of the second year the Israelites kept the Passover. Whenever the cloud lifted from the tabernacle they journeyed.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 10. Make two silver trumpets to direct the congregation. In the second month the cloud lifted and they set out as the LORD had commanded.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 11. The people grumbled that they had no meat. The LORD was angry but he sent quails. He put his Spirit on seventy elders to help Moses.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 12. Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses. The LORD was angry and Miriam became leprous. Moses prayed and after seven days she returned.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 13. Moses sent men to spy out the land of Canaan. Caleb said, "Let us go up," but the others said that the inhabitants were too strong.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 14. The people grumbled so the LORD said that they would spend forty years in the wilderness. They went up to the land but were defeated.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 15. There is one law for you and for strangers. Make an offering if you sin unintentionally. Anyone who sins defiantly shall be cut off.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 16. Korah, Dathan and Abiram rose against Moses and Aaron. Moses said, "The LORD will choose." The ground swallowed up those with Korah.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 17. The LORD told Moses to bring a staff from each tribal leader to the Tent of Meeting to stop the grumbling. Aaron's staff blossomed.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 18. The LORD told Aaron: "I have given you the Levites to work at the Tent of Meeting. Everything that is devoted to the LORD is yours."				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 19. Burn a heifer outside the camp for the water of cleansing. Anyone who is unclean and does not cleanse themselves shall be cut off.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 20. The LORD told Moses to speak to a rock to produce water but he struck the rock. Edom refused Israel passage. Aaron died at Mount Hor.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 21. The people grumbled so the LORD sent snakes. Moses made a bronze snake and whoever looked at it lived. Israel defeated the Amorites.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 22. Balak sent for Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam's donkey warned him. The Angel of the LORD said, "Go, but speak only what I tell you."				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 23. The LORD gave Balaam a word: "How can I curse whom God has not cursed?" Then at another place: "The LORD their God is with Israel."				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 24. Balaam gave a word: "How lovely are your tents, O Jacob." Balak was angry. Balaam said: "A star and a sceptre shall rise in Israel."				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 25. The people were unfaithful with Moabite women and worshipped their gods. Phinehas killed one couple and the LORD commended his zeal.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 26. The LORD told Moses and Eleazar to take a census. There were 601,730 fighting men and 23,000 Levites. Only Joshua and Caleb remained.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 27. The daughters of Zelophehad were given an inheritance. The LORD told Moses that he was to die. Moses commissioned Joshua as leader.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 28. Bring offerings each morning and evening, on the Sabbath and on the first of the month. Celebrate Passover and the Feast of Weeks.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 29. In the seventh month on first day sound the trumpets; on the tenth day make atonement; on the fifteenth day celebrate for seven days.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 30. When a man makes a vow he must not break his word. When a woman makes a vow it shall stand unless her father or husband forbids it.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 31. The LORD told Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites. The Israelites killed the men, burned their cities and divided the spoils.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 32. Reuben and Gad asked to settle in Gilead. Moses agreed if they helped to conquer the land, so Reuben, Gad and Manasseh built cities.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 33. The Israelites journeyed from Egypt. In the fortieth year Aaron died. They camped by the Jordan and the LORD said, "Take the land."				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 34. Your borders in Canaan shall be Edom, the Great Sea, Mount Hor and the Jordan. Eleazar and Joshua shall divide the land among you.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 35. You shall give cities to the Levites. Appoint cites of refuge for anyone who has killed accidently. A murderer shall be put to death.				
BOOK FOUR. NUMBERS CHAPTER 36. The clan of Gilead asked about Zelophehad's daughters. Moses said, "Daughters who inherit land must marry within their own tribe."

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Thank you for studying the book of NUMBERS. Please join us again at your earliest convenience.
Thank you for studying the book of NUMBERS. Please join us again at your earliest convenience.