Book of Numbers in Easton's Bible Dictionary
the fourth of the books of the Pentateuch, called in the
Hebrew
be-midbar, i.e., "in the wilderness." In the LXX.
version it is
called "Numbers," and this name is now the usual
title of the
book. It is so called because it contains a record
of the
numbering of the people in the wilderness of Sinai
(1-4), and of
their numbering afterwards on the plain of Moab
(26).
This book is of special historical interest as
furnishing us
with details as to the route of the Israelites in
the wilderness
and their principal encampments. It may be divided
into three
parts:
1. The numbering of the people at Sinai, and
preparations for
their resuming their march (1-10:10). The sixth
chapter gives an
account of the vow of a Nazarite.
2. An account of the journey from Sinai to Moab, the
sending
out of the spies and the report they brought back,
and the
murmurings (eight times) of the people at the
hardships by the
way (10:11-21:20).
3. The transactions in the plain of Moab before
crossing the
Jordan (21:21-ch. 36).
The period comprehended in the history extends from
the second
month of the second year after the Exodus to the
beginning of
the eleventh month of the fortieth year, in all
about
thirty-eight years and ten months; a dreary period
of
wanderings, during which that disobedient generation
all died in
the wilderness. They were fewer in number at the end
of their
wanderings than when they left the land of Egypt. We
see in this
history, on the one hand, the unceasing care of the
Almighty
over his chosen people during their wanderings; and,
on the
other hand, the murmurings and rebellions by which
they offended
their heavenly Protector, drew down repeated marks
of his
displeasure, and provoked him to say that they
should "not enter
into his rest" because of their unbelief (Heb.
3:19).
This, like the other books of the Pentateuch, bears
evidence
of having been written by Moses.
The expression "the book of the wars of the Lord,"
occurring
in 21:14, has given rise to much discussion. But,
after all,
"what this book was is uncertain, whether some
writing of Israel
not now extant, or some writing of the Amorites
which contained
songs and triumphs of their king Sihon's victories,
out of which
Moses may cite this testimony, as Paul sometimes
does out of
heathen poets (Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12)."
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