WHO WROTE:  Moses.  Anyone who would like to argue that this Book (and the other four Books of the “Pentateuch”) has to argue with Philip (John 1:45) and our Lord Jesus Himself (Mat. 8:4; Mark 1:44; 10:3; 12:26; Luke 5:14; 16:29, 31; 20:37; 24:44; John 3:14; 5:45, 46; 6:32; 7:19, 22, 23).  See also Exodus 24:4; Numbers 33:2; Deuteronomy 31:9, 22; Joshua 8:32; Mark 12:19; Luke 20:28.

 

 

WHAT TIME PERIOD IS COVERED:  The history of this Book extends from the first day of the second month of the second year after they left Egypt (Num. 1:1), to the beginning of the eleventh month of the fortieth year (Deu. 1:3); in all a little over thirty-eight years and nine months.  From “Albert Barns’ Notes On The Bible,” we read: “Between the two dates ‘the first day of the second month of the second year after they were come out of Egypt’ Num. 1:1, and the death of Aaron Num. 33:38, intervene no less than 38 years and 3 months (compare Deu. 2:14), the long and dreary period of tarrying in the wilderness until the disobedient generation had wasted away.

 

“From the death of Aaron to the date given in the opening verses of Deuteronomy (1:1-3), occurred a space of exactly six months, in which all the events narrated in the fourth part of the Book of Numbers, from Num. 20:1 to the end, would seem to have occurred, with the probable exception of the defeat of the king of Arad in Num. 21:1-3.”

 

 

WHEN WRITTEN:  B.C. 1499 - B.C. 1489.

 

 

INTRODUCTION:  In Hebrew, “B’midbar” means, “In the wilderness,” which is most likely the real title of the Book of Numbers.  What is unusual about this is up until now only the first word in a Book was used as Its title.  The Jews sometimes called it, “Vajedabber,” from the first word of the Book, meaning, “and the Lord spake,” and sometimes, “Bemidbar,” and sometimes, “Sepher Pikkudim,” or, as Origen defines it, “Ammesph‚kodim,” which means, “The Book Of Musters Or Surveys.”

 

The Greek translators called it “Arithmoi,” and in Latin it was “Numeri,” both meaning, “Numbers,” because the translators focused on the two censuses taken at the beginning and at the end of the Book.  We get our English title from the Latin word.  Our Saxon ancestors called it “numeration,” “because in this the children of Israel were numbered.” This title, however, does not properly apply to more than the three first Chapters, and the 26th.  However, “the wilderness wanderings” is perhaps a more appropriate title.

 

The Author is without debate as being Moses; confirmed by our Lord in John 5:46 (compare with Num. 3:14; see also 1Co. 10:4).

 

A little highlighting of the Book:  The Levitical tribe was appointed to serve the Tabernacle in a variety of offices; each person from the age of thirty until fifty; after which he was excused from further service (see Numbers, Chapter 4).

 

The Laws relative to becoming a Nazarite are contained in Chapter 6.

 

The Passover and its services are commanded in Chapter 9; and celebrated in the first month of the 14th day in the second year after the departure from Egypt.

 

The twelve spies are sent out in Chapter 13.

 

Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and their associates, are swallowed up by an earthquake; and the congregation murmur with 14,700 of them being cut off; Numbers, Chapter 16.

 

Arron’s Rod produces buds in Chapter 17.

 

The Red Heifer Service in Chapter 19.

 

Balak and Balaam cover Chapters 22-25.

 

A second census or enumeration of the people takes place, and the amount is 601,730, among whom not one of those of the first census was now found except Joshua and Caleb; Chapter 26.

 

From the case of the daughters of Zelophehad a Law is made to enable daughters to inherit.  Also, Moses ascends Mount Abarim to see the promised land and constitutes Joshua his successor; Chapter 27.

 

Twelve thousand Israelites go against the people of Midian and slay them, their five kings, and Balaam their prophet in Chapter 31.

 

The children of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh, request to receive for their inheritance the territories of Sihon and Og on the east side of Jordan in Chapter 32.

 

The borders of the land are described, and the persons appointed by God who should assist Joshua in dividing the land among the nine tribes and half is in Chapter 34.

 

A Law establishes that the daughters to whom the paternal inheritance descends shall not marry out of their own tribes, lest their inheritances should become alienated and lost by being blended with those of other tribes is covered in Chapter 36.