Numbers, Book of: The fourth of the books of the Pentateuch, called in the Hebrew
be-midbar, i.e., "in the wilderness." In the LXX. version it is called
"Numbers," and this name is now the usual title of the book. It is so
called because it contains a record of the numbering of the people in
the wilderness of Sinai
(Numbers 1:1-4:49) and of their numbering
afterwards on the plain of Moab
(Numbers 26:1-2). This book is of special
historical interest as furnishing us with details as to the route of
the Israelites in the wilderness and their principal encampments. It
may be divided into three parts:
1. The numbering of the people at Sinai, and preparations for their
resuming their march
(Numbers 1:1-10:10). The sixth chapter gives
an account of the vow of a Nazarite.
2. An account of the journey from Sinai to Moab, the sending out of
the spies and the report they brought back, and the murmurings
(eight times) of the people at the hardships by the way
(Numbers 10:11-21:20).
3. The transactions in the plain of Moab before crossing the Jordan
(Numbers 21:21-36:13)
The period comprehended in the history extends from the second month
of the second year after the Exodus to the beginning of the eleventh
month of the fortieth year, in all about thirty-eight years and ten
months; a dreary period of wanderings, during which that disobedient
generation all died in the wilderness. They were fewer in number at
the end of their wanderings than when they left the land of Egypt. We
see in this history, on the one hand, the unceasing care of the
Almighty over his chosen people during their wanderings; and, on the
other hand, the murmurings and rebellions by which they offended their
heavenly Protector, drew down repeated marks of his displeasure, and
provoked him to say that they should "not enter into his rest" because
of their unbelief
(Hebrews 3:19) This, like the other books of the
Pentateuch, bears evidence of having been written by Moses. The
expression "the book of the wars of the Lord," occurring in
(Numbers 21:14)
has given rise to much discussion. But, after all, "what this book was
is uncertain, whether some writing of Israel not now extant, or some
writing of the Amorites which contained songs and triumphs of their
king Sihon's victories, out of which Moses may cite this testimony, as
Paul sometimes does out of heathen poets"
(Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12)
