Even in their rebellion, god continues to show his incredible love and provision for them. Numbers presents an account of the 38year period of israels wandering in the desert following the establishment of the covenant. 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. In numbers the history of israel during the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness from egypt to canaan is described. Old testament ch 8 book of numbers flashcards quizlet. What was the purpose of the census in numbers 1 answers.
Outline of the book of numbers israel prepares for the journey to the promised land numbers 1. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from the book of numbers 1. A second census was taken while the israelites were camped in the plains of moab, in numbers 26. The book of numbers itself refers to the writing of moses in 33. View notes the book of numbers from bible 105 at liberty university. The people complain, miriam and aaron oppose moses, and the people refuse to enter canaan because of the reports of the unfaithful spies numbers 10. Interpreting the census figures in numbers israel in the wilderness numbers 1, 26. Indeed, the whole story of numbers had been one of movement towards the land of promise.
The book of numbers becomes a warning and encouragement for us to follow god and trust his good plan for his people. The united nations defines the essential features of. 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. The message of the book of numbers is universal and timeless. This would explain why women were not included in the census and males under twenty were not counted. Most of the events of the book are set in the wilderness. The book of numbers records two censuses of israelite males 20 years and olderi.
The book of numbers is the fourth book of the hebrew bible, and the fourth of five books of the jewish torah. At the same time the story of zelophehads daughters does provide a fitting conclusion to the book of numbers itself. What follows in the book of numbers is a great counting and arranging of gods people by tribes and clans. What is the purpose of the book of numbers in the bible answers. Numbers with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. 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. Summary of the book of numbers the story of the bible. In chapter 1, we find a tally of the men of the first generation, those who came out of egypt with the exodus.
The stated purpose of the israeli census, according to numbers 1. In this time a census was taken of all men who were over twenty and who could serve in military efforts 14. Numbers begins at mount sinai, where the israelites have received their laws and covenant from god and god has taken up residence among them in the sanctu. The book of numbers is named after the counting of the israelite population in numbers 14 according to the house of the fathers after the exodus from egypt. Yet half way through the book, the unnamed narrator develops a new method of the census not gathering certain information but instead, deciding what information to look for. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses. While i respect loretto szucsmatthew wrights excellent book and the detailed book by kathleen hinchley, this one is concise, has detailed dates and references, and is the one i return to again and again, bravo, bill. The book of numbers is composed of narrative, legislation, and archival records.
Lest we get caught up in the counting and the details, there is a purpose to this book. Moses completed the book before his death deuteronomy 31. The census did not leave out women and young people due to anything related to their social status but rather due to their military ineligibility. Book of numbers overview insight for living ministries. The census in numbers chapter 1 did not list clans and chapter 2. What problem is presented in the book of numbers census reports. The census in numbers chapter 1 did not list clans and chapter 2 only listed the tribal. Reubens tribe lost 2,770 men since the first census 6%.
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. Feb, 2019 the lord spoke to moses in the wilderness of sinai, in the tent of meeting take a census of the whole congregation numbers 1. From the census that is taken to number the people. A chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of numbers taught by pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario, oregon. Numbers was written in the final year of moses life. The name of the book comes from the two censuses taken of the israelites. The apparent purpose in compiling the book of numbers is to record the beginnings of the outworkings of the covenant in israels life.
Scholars speculate that part of dathans and abirams resentment towards moses was because moses was descended from a younger son, levi. This way they are still counted but separately from the community. The main divisions in the book of numbers are as follows. Intro to numbers biblica the international bible society. Learn book of numbers with free interactive flashcards. The book records census results for all twelve tribes not once, but twice. It reminds believers of the spiritual warfare in which they are engaged, for numbers is the book of the service and walk of gods people. To record some of the events of the 40 year wilderness wandering to record the census of. Jan 02, 2020 the stated purpose of the israeli census, according to numbers 1. Leviticus, which interrupts the flow of narration, consists almost entirely of legislation independent of historic precedentwith the exception of lev. More importantly, israels reaction to those stipulations is recorded.
The first nine chapters of the book include the first census of the people and their preparations to go into the promised land, or canaan. This summary of the book of numbers provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of numbers. North american industry classification system naics main. 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. Except for joshua, caleb, and moses, the older generationeveryone twenty years old or older at the time of the first censusdied before the completion of numbers, due to their disobedience and disbelief numbers 14. The book of numbers largely duplicates the contents of the book of exodus, a puzzle if, as commonly supposed, both books were written by moses. The census is to account for every male of military age, according to their households. To prepare for parceling out the promised land based on the population of each tribe verses 5256. A census is an important part of society, though it is not necessarily the easiest to read in a book format. Jan 26, 2017 a chapter by chapter and verse by verse study of numbers taught by pastor paul leboutillier of calvary chapel ontario, oregon.
The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from. The english name of the book comes from the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot and is based on the census lists. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the law of moses, also known as the torah or pentateuch. To order the hebrew tribes in marching and camping formations num 2 e. The census that we find in numbers is not just a tally of the men and women of israel, but it has a specific purpose within the story of israel, as well as in the pentateuch. In the book of numbers, we have two censuses taken of the militaryage men of israel. In the 1990searly 2000s, there was a series of articles published for the most part in vetus testamentum, revisiting an old hypothesis of g. 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. Some of these codes can be used for imports as well, so theyre very versatile. Orli in chapter 3 of numbers there is a separate census of leviim from one month and upwards. A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. What is the purpose of the book of numbers in the bible. First, a group this size would more than fill the land of goshen and would have had no problem overpowering the egyptian government.
Oct 26, 2010 the main events in the book of numbers. To allot work assignments in the forced labor gangs and the religious cult num 3. The book of numbers was written between 1440 and 1400 b. The pentateuchal priestly writers used two census lists in the book of numbers nm 1. Book of numbers encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway.
Among these groups the land shall be divided as their heritage in keeping with the. Bill dollarhides the census book is the best reference book on the subject among several that have been issued in the same time frame. The book of numbers the book of numbers purpose to. The lord jesus includes the book of numbers in his words when explaining to his disciples all that was written concerning himself in the law of moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms. Conquering edom and moab numbers 2125 death of aaron. Each census taker must forego his or her rights of protection. The lord commands moses to take a census of the whole israelite community.
Learn about faith and rebellion in the book of numbers. The journey begins the people are sorted according to tribe with the tabernacle at the center. Census bureau instructs americans on the questionnaire that will be mailed to every household by april 1, 2020, april fools day, which also. The entire book consists of two census or numberings of the israelites from which the book derives its name. The law includes the books of genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, and deuteronomy. It describes moses taking two population censuses, hence the name numbers. The hebrew title of the book bemidbar, in the desert is more descriptive of its contents. The number of israelites in the numbers censuses and the. The book of numbers becomes a warning and encouragement for us to follow god and trust his good. Introduction to the book of numbers learn religions.
Choose from 500 different sets of book of numbers flashcards on quizlet. The meaning of census in the bible learn religions. List how many men were counted from the following tribes 1. Preparation to finally enter canaan numbers 2636 second numbering of the people. The book of numbers gets its english name by way of the septuagint, which used the term because of the census that begins the book and the second one in chapter 26. Bamidbar picks up on the first day of the second month of the second year since the children of israel left egypt. The primary purpose of the census is to allocate our legislators in the house of representatives theyre meted out by population, unlike the senate where every state gets 2 no matter what, but it has come to be an invaluable tool for the governm. Modifications and adjustments in the structure of covenant stipulations are reported. The purpose of the book of numbers is to tell about how israel prepared to enter the promise land, but sinned and was punished. To number the fighting men in preparation for the war with midian num 31.
In this census, the people are preparing the military campaign to take the land which indeed they would have done at once if not for the regrettable incident with the spies stay tuned for parashat shlach in three weeks and the purpose of this census was to count the men over the age of 20 for military service. The book draws its name from the census made of the people, a necessary step toward their organization and future government. Bible class book on numbers david padfield numbers, moses, old testament, bible class, workbook, study guide, israel, youth group, sunday school. Main page north american industry classification system naics us census bureau. The book of numbers the book of numbers purpose to record. God now instructs moses to take aaron and a leader from each tribe and count the people.
As with the exodus, it is difficult to establish the exact route that the israelites took, but it is generally believed that they headed east from mount sinai until they reached the red sea, where they turned northward to the top of the gulf and on to kadesh. These are the codes used when filing the paperwork with customs when you export products overseas. The three horizons of interpretation of the book of numbers. Take ye the sum this is not the same muster with that spoken of exodus 38. The whole purpose of the book of numbers is to record statistics.
Numbers takes the reader on a long and winding path through a desert of excruciating detail. Its narrative begins at the point where exodus leaves off. For the 1973 american crime film, see book of numbers film. Each time israel rebels, god displays his justice and mercy together. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from the. Numbers presents an account of the 38year period of israels wandering in the desert following the establishment of the covenant of sinai compare 1. The book has a long and complex history, but its final form is. The north american industry classification system naics is the standard used by federal statistical agencies in classifying business establishments for the purpose of collecting, analyzing, and publishing statistical data related to the u. The events described here took place in nineteen days. From chapters 19 the israelites are preparing for their journey and entry into the promise land.
Another census was ordered by god of the men who were over 20 years of age by family. Mendenhall that drastically revised the number of early israelites given in the book of numbers, assuming an early scribal misunderstanding in short, the original hypothesis depends on the interpretation of the word. The lord instructs moses concerning the arrangement of the tribal camps around the tabernacle. Once you determine this purpose, you will never read the book.
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