A literary masterpiece of the english language, the original king james bible is still in use today. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from. 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 results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from the book of numbers 1. There are a couple possible reasons to explain why god ordered a census of the people of israel in the book of numbers. Why was god so angry at david for taking the census. The levites were not included in the census, as god has other plans for them. The above outline is from nelsons complete book of bible maps and charts, pp. Reubens tribe lost 2,770 men since the first census 6%. 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. The events described here took place in nineteen days. The book of numbers, called arithmoi meaning arithmetic in the septuagint, gets its name from the census in chapters 1 and 26. The title of the book of numbers refers towhat elseall the numbers contained in it.
Numbers, book of the fourth book of the pentateuch. Why did god punish the israelite people when it was david who ordered the census. The name of the book comes from the two censuses taken of the israelites. 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 first census begins the book and was taken in the sinai desert in the year following the exodus. 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 chs. Another census was ordered by god of the men who were over 20 years of age by family. 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 the end of their wanderings in the wilderness chapter 26. Numbers 1, new american standard bible nasb the bible app. Lots of people have died, so gods gotta get a better count of whos still left standing. The book of numbers begins with the words and the lord spake unto moses in the wilderness of sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of egypt. The number of males 20 years and older implies a population of well over.
To order the hebrew tribes in marching and camping formations num 2 e. Numbers begins at mount sinai, where the israelites have received. The 2nd census, in numbers 26, is the new generation as they. This numbering of the people is not a complete census, however. The book has a long and complex history, but its final form is.
Although wenham correctly sees this to also be a military census as the sons of israel prepare to fight midian and to conquer canaan numbers, 189, milgrom emphasizes the distinctiveness of this census as a land census describing the tribal arrangement of the land numbers, 219. Jan 26, 2017 numbers 14 introduction and first census. But he did not number levi and benjamin among them, for the kings command was abhorrent to joab. This is the first of several censuses which will be taken in the book of numbers. Numbers is a historical book, whose name refers to the two censuses which were taken to number the people. It derives its english name from the two numberings of the sons of israel mentioned therein. The chief divisions of the book of numbers are as follows.
Aug 20, 2018 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. For the 1973 american crime film, see book of numbers film. In chapter 26, we find a similar census taken of the men of the second generation, those about to. The main divisions in the book of numbers are as follows. As recorded in the book of exodus, israel escaped slavery in egypt god miraculously set them free from hundreds of years of bondage.
It describes moses taking two population censuses, hence the name numbers. Numbers 1 new international version niv the census. In the book of numbers, for example, a census indicated that men twenty years old or older formed an army of more than 603,000 numbers 1. In this time a census was taken of all men who were over twenty and. Numbers 1 niv bible the lord spoke to moses in the tent.
You will recall that in genesis, the first book of the pentateuch, we have the creation and fall of man and many beginnings. The name numbers is a translation of arithmoi, from the septuagint, titled thus because the book contains many statistics, population counts, tribal and priestly figures, and. It continues the story of that journey begun in exodus, and describes briefly the experiences of the israelites for a period of thirtyeight years, from the end of their. Types and shadows in numbers jesus is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. These two numberings of the people serve as bookends for this section of scripture, which is why we call it numbers. The book of leviticus as well as the book of numbers follow immediately after the book of exodus. 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. Numbers 1 nrsv the first census of israel the lord. Jan 02, 2020 why was god so angry at david for taking the census. To allot work assignments in the forced labor gangs and the religious cult num 3. 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 26. The book of numbers records two censuses of israelite males 20 years and olderi.
The hebrew title of the book bemidbar, in the desert is more descriptive of its contents. Once again its name is derived from the septuagint via the vulgate. The census the lord spoke to moses in the tent of meeting in the desert of sinai on. Numbers in the picture study bible the book of numbers with. Gods purpose for you in the book of numbers duration. In any case the wilderness wandering is bracketed by two censuses. The book of numbers derives its name from the account of the two censuses taken of the hebrew people, one near the beginning and the other toward the end of the journey in the wilderness chaps. Israel has been camping in the wilderness for a year now, and its time for them to be on the move. Highlights from the book of numbers watchtower online library.
Moses is the central figure within the book, and in at least two instances numbers mentions him recording events by the lords commands numbers 33. They came through the red sea and saw god provide through the desert wilderness. Apr 16, 2019 the book of numbers opens with god telling moses to take a census of the people. The book of numbers records two censuses of israelite males 20 years. The purpose of the book of numbers is to tell about how israel prepared to enter the promise land, but sinned and was punished. The fourth book of the bible, called numbers in english and in hebrew, was originally known as. It relates events that took place in the region of mount sinai, in the wilderness during the course of.
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. Summary of the book of numbers the story of the bible. 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 the end. Census and preparation for the departure from sinai 1. Numbers 1 new revised standard version nrsv the first census of israel. So, moses tells everyone camping out on the plains of moab that its time to start counting again. 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. Gather up all the men over twenty by tribe, of course. The book of numbers opens with god telling moses to take a census of the people. Highlights from the book of numbers watchtower online. Christian tradition attributes the authorship of the book of numbers to moses. Scholars speculate that part of dathans and abirams resentment towards moses was because moses was descended from a younger son, levi.
Moses gives the nation orders for how the twelve tribes should position themselves as they camp and as they move through the. And all israel were 1,100,000 men who drew the sword. Written by moses in the wilderness and on the plains of moab, the book of numbers covers a period of 38 years and 9 months from 1512 b. 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. In the book of numbers, we have two censuses taken of the militaryage men of israel. The greek title was used even though there is really no connection with the numberings. Gershon, kohath and merari 18 these were the names of gershons sons by their clans. Census figures in numbers bible studies and christian living. Intro to numbers biblica the international bible society. The 1st census in numbers 1 is of the generation coming out of the egypt it is a draft.
Another census was made just before the entrance into canaan, when the number was found to be 601,730, showing thus a small decrease numbers 26. The book of numbers takes its name from the account of the census that happened two times among. The two census show the theme and structure of numbers. Book of numbers overview insight for living ministries. The book draws its name from the census made of the people, a necessary step toward their organization and future government. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from the. From chapters 19 the israelites are preparing for their journey and entry into the promise land. Aug, 2017 the book opens with moses taking a census of the people in israel. The book of numbers derives its name from the account of the two censuses taken of the hebrew people, one near the beginning and the other toward the end. While the census is taken ostensibly for war, as the israelites. It continues the story of that journey begun in exodus, and describes briefly the experiences of the israelites for a period of thirtyeight. Bible class book on numbers david padfield numbers, moses, old testament, bible class, workbook, study guide, israel, youth group, sunday school. 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.
Introduction to the book of numbers learn religions. The law includes the books of genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, and deuteronomy. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of numbers in his audio message from the. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the law of moses, also known as the torah or pentateuch. Critics often argue that the numbers in the bible are not literal or are impossible to accept. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the hebrew bible, and the fourth of five books of the. This is the exact same place where the israelites have been hanging out since god freed them from slavery back in exodus. Numbers with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Joab gave the number of the census of all the people to david. The meaning of census in the bible learn religions. After all this, god announces that its a pretty good time to take another census.
Numbers is so named because a census of israel is taken twice in the book. Chapters 14, 26 the narrative is divided into three sections. The english name of the book comes from the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot and is based on the census lists. Home content index books of the bible numbers census in numbers. Most of the events of the book are set in the wilderness. Numbers 1 niv the census the lord spoke to moses in bible. In the book of numbers god tells moses to take a census. The stated purpose of the israeli census, according to. Numbers in the picture study bible the book of numbers. Numbers presents an account of the 38year period of israels wandering in the desert following the establishment of the covenant of sinai.
The next census was in the time of david, when the number, exclusive of the tribes of levi and benjamin, was found to be 1,300,000 2 samuel 24. In chapter 1, we find a tally of the men of the first generation, those who came out of egypt with the exodus. If one understands the numbers to be literal and the men to represent about onefourth of the population, then the number of the israelites ranges from two to three million people 10 a literal understanding of the numbers in the census is in congruence with pharaohs fear of the rapidly increasing hebrews overrunning egypt ex 1. God commands moses to take a census in the opening pages of the book and again forty years later. Thirteen months after the exodus, god commanded that a census be taken of potential soldiers. 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.
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