numbers Summary and Overview

the fourth book of the law or Pentateuch. It takes its name in the LXX. and Vulgate (whence our "Numbers") from the double numbering or census of the people, the first of which is given in chs. 1-4, and the second in ch. 28. Contents. --The book may be said to contain generally the history of the Israelites from the time of their leaving Sinai, in the second year after the exodus till their arrival at the borders of the Promised land in the fortieth year of their journeyings It consists of the following principal divisions: 1, The Preparations for the departure from Sinai. #Nu 1:1 ... 10:10| 2. The journey from Sinai to the borders of Canaan. ch. #Nu 10:11 ... 14:45| 3. A brief notice of laws and events which transpired during the thirty-seven years wandering in the wilderness. ch. #Nu 15:1 ... 19:22| 4. The history of the last year, from the second arrival of the Israelites in Kadesh till they reached "the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho." ch, #Nu 20:1 ... 36:13| Integrity. --This, like the other books of the Pentateuch, is supposed by many critics to consist of a compilation from two or three or more earlier documents; but the grounds on which this distinction of documents rests are in every respect most unsatisfactory, and it may, in common with the preceding books and Deuteronomy, be regarded as the work of Moses. The book of Numbers is rich in fragments of ancient poetry, some of them of great beauty and all throwing an interesting light on the character of the times in which they were composed. Such, for instance, is the blessing of the high priest. ch. #Nu 6:24-26| Such too are chants which were the signal for the ark to move when the people journeyed, and for it to rest when they were about to encamp. In ch. 21 we have a passage cited from a book called the "Book of the Wars of Jehovah." This was probably a collection of ballads and songs composed on different occasions by the watch-fires of the camp, and for the most part, though not perhaps exclusively, in commemoration of the victories of the Israelites over their enemies.

THE BOOK OF NUMBERS the fourth book of Moses, and so called on account of the two censuses to which it refers. It gives some detached legal enactments and many valuable historical facts. 1. In the first division, chs. 1-10:10, an account is given of the preparations for the departure from Sinai. In ch. 6 we have the, description of the Nazarite's vow. 2. The second division, ch. 10:11-14, contains an account of the journey from Sinai to the borders of Canaan. In chs. 13 and 14 the spies are mentioned by name, and a most interesting description is given of their discoveries in Canaan, their return to the camp, and the treatment they received. 3. The third division, chs. 15-19, gives various legal enactments and a few historical facts. 4. The last division, chs. 20-36, contains an account of the events of the last year before crossing the Jordan. In ch. 20 we have the description of Moses smiting the rock and the notices of Miriam's and Aaron's deaths. In ch. 21 we have a picture of the discontentment and rebellion of the Israelites, their punishment through fiery serpents, and the simple remedy of a brazen serpent erected on a pole. Comp. John 3:14-15. Chs. 22-24 are concerned with Balaam, In ch. 32 the land east of the Jordan is assigned to Reuben and Gad, and in ch. 33 a list is given of the various stations in the wilderness.