This deals with the wilderness wanderings of the children of Israel. The name of the book, is taken from the two numberings of the nation: one at Mount Sinai (Ch.1) and the second after the wanderings, after the present generation had perished.(Ch.26). The Hebrew Bible has as its title ” In the Wilderness.”
Author & Date
The fourth book of Moses.
Outline
A. Sinai to Kadesh-Barnea Ch.1-10
- The first Numbering Ch.1-4
- More commands from the Lord Ch.5-10
B. Failure in the wilderness Ch.11-21:9
- Murmurings before Kadesh Ch.11-12
- Unbelief at Kadesh Ch.13-14
- The offerings reinstated Ch.15
- Murmurings against God’s priests Ch.16-17
- The High priest and sons Ch.18
- The red heifer Ch.19
- Murmurings and water Ch.20
- Murmurings about the way Ch.21
- Baalim & Barak Ch22-25
C. Preparing for Canaan Ch.26-36
- The second Numbering Ch.26
- The law of inheritance Ch.27
- Various laws Ch.28-30
- Victory over the Midianites Ch.31
- Final preparations Ch.32-36
Notes
a. The Numberings
These were the totals of those men 20 yrs. upward, and who were eligible for war.
| The Numberings | ||
| Tribe | The First Ch.1 | The Second Ch.26 |
| Reuben | 46,500 | 43,730 |
| Simeon | 59,300 | 22,200 |
| Gad | 45,650 | 40,500 |
| Judah | 74,600 | 76,500 |
| Issachar | 54,400 | 64,300 |
| Zebulun | 57,400 | 60,500 |
| Joseph/Ephraim | 40,500 | 52,700 |
| Manasseh | 32,200 | 32,500 |
| Benjamin | 35,400 | 45,600 |
| Dan | 62,700 | 64,400 |
| Asher | 41,500 | 53,400 |
| Naphtali | 53,400 | 45,400 |
| TOTALS | 603,550 | 601,730 |