Introduction to the fourth book of Moses, Numbers
The Fourth Book of the Bible, the Book of Numbers
The name “Numeri” for the fourth book of Moses was also taken from the Vulgate.
The Latin “Numeri” means “numbers” or “counts,” as does the Greek “arithmoi,” from which it was translated in the Septuagint.
This designation was derived from the two censuses described in the book.
The first census took place quite early in their time in the desert. On the first day of the second month of the second year, God commanded Moses to count the able-bodied men of the people. This occurred toward the end of their one-year stay in the desert, at Mount Sinai.
The second census did not take place until 38 years later, shortly before the people began their migration into the Promised Land.
Thus, the Hebrew name for the fourth book of Moses is “bemidbar,” meaning “In the Desert.”
The Book of Numbers now tells the story of Israel’s journey through the desert, their grumbling, and their dissatisfaction with God, even though He made His presence known by day through a pillar of cloud and by night through a pillar of fire.
Their lack of trust in Him before the conquest of the land led to the death of an entire generation of unbelievers from Israel in the desert.
The text goes on to describe the uprising, in the form of a rebellion, against Moses’ leadership and the battles with various peoples on their way to Canaan.
The book ends in the 10th month of the 40th year of Israel’s sojourn in the wilderness with the death of Aaron and instructions for Israel’s time in the Promised Land, even though it had not yet been conquered.
Moses wrote his fourth book, in which laws alternate with historical narratives, consequently not long before his death, for because of his own disobedience, he too was not permitted to enter the land.
Outline of the Book of Numbers:
Chapters 1–10 – The time of the people of Israel at Sinai until their departure
Chapters 11–21 – The odyssey through the desert
Chapters 22–36 – The journey to the Promised Land and the battles along the way
Content of Numbers:
Numbers chapter 1
Numbers chapter 2
Numbers chapter 3
Numbers chapter 4
Numbers chapter 5
Numbers chapter 6
Numbers chapter 7
Numbers chapter 8
Numbers chapter 9
Numbers chapter 10
Numbers chapter 11
Numbers chapter 12
Numbers chapter 13
Numbers chapter 14
Numbers chapter 15
Numbers chapter 16
Numbers chapter 17
Numbers chapter 18
Numbers chapter 19
Numbers chapter 20
Numbers chapter 21
Numbers chapter 22
Numbers chapter 23
Numbers chapter 24
Numbers chapter 25
Numbers chapter 26
Numbers chapter 27
Numbers chapter 28
Numbers chapter 29
Numbers chapter 30
Numbers chapter 31
Numbers chapter 32
Numbers chapter 33
Numbers chapter 34
Numbers chapter 35
Numbers chapter 36