Numbers, The Book of

The fourth book in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the OT). The title is probably drawn from the account of the census with which the book begins (Num 1:2). The book contains historical narrative (Num 10-14), statistical information (Num 1-4, Num 7, Num 26), itinerary (Num 33), poetry (Num 20:14-18, Num 27-30, Num 23:7-10, Num 18-24, Num 24:4-9, Num 15-24), and ritual and legal prescriptions (Num 3-10, Num 15, Num 18-19, Num 27-30, Num 34-36).

Outline of Contents

Numbers

I. Preparations for travel (Num 1:1-9:14)

A. Censuses and camp organization (Num 1:1-5:4)

11. First census of Israelites (Num 1:1-54)

12. Arrangement of camp (Num 2:1-34)

13. Census and duties of Levites and Aaronites (Num 3:1-4:49)

14. Exclusion of impure (Num 5:1-4)

B. Laws and cultic preparation (Num 5:5-9:14)

11. Restitution offering; the suspected adulteress (Num 5:5-31)

12. The Nazirite; priestly blessing (Num 6:1-27)

13. The chieftains’ gifts (Num 7:1-89)

14. Appointment of the Levites (Num 8:1-26)

15. The lampstand and Passover (Num 9:1-14)

II. Travels (Num 9:15-25:18)

A. From Sinai to Kadesh (Num 9:15-20:13)

11. Preparations (Num 9:15-10:35)

12. Complaint about food; quail (Num 11:1-34)

13. Complaint of Miriam and Aaron (Num 12:1-16)

14. Scouting the land and people’s complaints (Num 13:1-14:45)

15. Laws: offerings, Sabbath work, and wearing the fringe (Num 15:1-41)

16. Rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (Num 16:1-40)

17. Complaint and plague after rebellion (Num 16:41-17:12)

18. Laws: duties and portions of priests and Levites (Num 18:1-32)

19. Laws: corpse contamination (Num 19:1-22)

10. Complaint about water (Num 20:1-13)

B. From Kadesh to the steppes of Moab (Num 20:14-25:18)

11. Edom refuses passage (Num 20:14-21)

12. Aaron succeeded by Eleazar (Num 20:22-29)

13. Defeat of king of Arad (Num 21:1-3)

14. Complaint about food; serpent plague (Num 21:4-9)

15. Miscellaneous travels (Num 21:10-20)

16. Defeat of Sihon (Num 21:21-32)

17. Defeat of Og (Num 21:33-35)

18. Balaam’s prophecies and Balak’s capitulation (Num 22:1-24:55)

19. Baal of Peor idolatry (Num 25:1-18)

III. Preparations for conquest (Num 26:1-36:13)

A. Second census (Num 26:1-65)

B. Laws for promised land (Num 27:1-30:16)

11. Inheritance of daughters (Num 27:1-11)

12. Joshua appointed (Num 27:12-23)

13. Festivals (Num 28:1-29:39)

14. Vows of women (Num 30:1-16)

C. War with Midian (Num 31:1-54)

D. Settlement of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh in the Transjordan (Num 32:1-42)

E. Summary of travel (Num 33:1-49)

F. More laws for promised land (Num 33:50-36:13)

11. Boundaries and mode of inheritance (Num 33:50-34:29)

12. Levitical cities and homicide (Num 35:1-34)

13. Retention of inheritances in tribes (Num 36:1-13)