Introduction
1. Title and Contents. The English title of this book is a translation of that given to it in the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible. It is called Numbers because it tells of two numberings of the Israelites, one near the beginning and the other near the end of the sojourn in the wilderness (Numbers 1:26). The title is not particularly applicable seeing that the account of these numberings occupies only a small part of the book. A better title is that given to it by the Jews, who call it 'In the Wilderness,' from the fifth word of the opening verse in the Hebrew Bible.
Numbers contains a brief summary of the experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness and covers a period of nearly forty years, extending from the encampment at Sinai to the arrival at the border of Canaan. The contents fall readily into three main divisions.
Part 1. The Camp at Sinai and Preparations for Departure, Numbers 1 - Numbers 10:10. This section includes the first numbering of the people, the order of the camp and the march (1-4); laws regarding lepers, marital jealousy, and the vow of the Nazirite (5, 6); the offerings of the princes for the service of the tabernacle (7); regulations regarding the lighting of the golden lamps and the consecration of the Levites (8); the celebration of the Passover in the wilderness (Numbers 9:1); the cloudy pillar and the use of the silver trumpets (Numbers 9:15 to Numbers 10:10).
Part 2. The Journeyings from Sinai to the Plains of Moab, Numbers 10:11 to Numbers 22:1. These Chapter s cover the main period of the wanderings and give, not a full narrative of events, but a few outstanding incidents in these thirty-nine years, interspersed with various laws. Thus we have the departure from Sinai and the murmuring at Taberah and Kibroth-hattaavah where quails are sent (Numbers 10:11 to Numbers 11:35); the jealousy of Miriam and Aaron against Moses (Numbers 10:12); the sending of the spies from Kadesh, the discouragement of the people and sentence of forty years' wandering in the wilderness (Numbers 10:13); laws regarding offerings and sabbath observance (Numbers 10:15); the rebellions of Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On (Numbers 10:16); the blossoming of Aaron's rod and the duties of priests and Levites (Numbers 10:17); the method of purification for those defiled by the dead (Numbers 10:19); the death of Miriam, the murmuring at Meribah, and the giving of water from the rock (Numbers 20:1); opposition of the Edomites and death of Aaron (Numbers 20:14); defeat by the Canaanites, plague of fiery serpents, and conquest of the Amorites (Numbers 20:21); arrival at the plains of Moab (Numbers 22:1).
Part 3. In the Plains of Moab, Numbers 22:2. This section relates the experiences in the plains of Moab and in the country E. of the Jordan, and includes the story of Balaam (22-24); relapse of the people into idolatry (25); the second numbering (26); law of inheritance, and designation of Joshua as the successor of Moses (27); law of offerings, sacred seasons (28, 29), and vows (30); fight against Midian (31); the assignment of land on the E. side of Jordan to two and a half tribes (32); a list of stations on the march (Numbers 33:1); directions as to the treatment of the Canaanites and the division of the land (Numbers 33:50; Numbers 34); appointment of Levitical cities and cities of refuge (35); additional laws regarding inheritance (36).