The message of the book of numbers is universal and timeless. Command the israelites to put out of the camp everyone who is leprous, or has a discharge, and everyone who is unclean through contact with a corpse. Matthew henry 18 october 1662 22 june 1714 was an english commentator on the bible, who published his works in 1706, sixvolume exposition of the old and new testaments 17081710 or complete commentary, provides an exhaustive verse by verse study of the bible, covering the whole of the old testament, and the gospels and acts in the new testament. Theyve been in this same spot for about a year and now theyre getting ready to start out on their journey to this land flowing with milk and honey that god keeps. Numbers is the fourth of five books commonly called the pentateuch genesis through deuteronomy. Book of numbers simple english wikipedia, the free. It is a reminder to the believer that even though he has been freed from the bondage of sin egypt, there is still a spiritual battle to be fought in daily life the. See books of the bible in order to know the complete ordered list. The book is basically the sacred history of the israelites as they wandered in the wilderness following the departure from sinai and before their occupation of. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the bible and also the fourth out of the five moses wrote.
Numbers tells of israels journey from mount sinai to the borders of the promised land, summarizing some. Biblical numbers are used in prophecy of time and cycles. The law includes the books of genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, and deuteronomy. The bibliography for this study of numbers is presented at the end of the article, introduction to the pentateuch. Numbers the bible project videos israel takes an epic road trip through the wilderness on their way to the promised land. The hebrew name for these books is the torah, which means law.
Moses is the central figure within the book, and in at least two instances numbers mentions him recording events by the lords commands numbers 33. The first generation participated in the exodus from egypt. Obviously on purpose which is very clever humor which i love. The connections and patterns of numerals, when we search them out and understand them, reveal the handiwork of god. Take a census of all the males of the congregation of the israelites by families, by their fathers houses, according to the number of. Book of numbers encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway.
Numbers 1 niv bible the lord spoke to moses in the tent. It is one of the great ironies of scripture that the generation that saw gods works most vividly became the epitome of those who refuse to. The message of the book of numbers is universal and. The number seven is also the most common in biblical prophecy, occurring 42 times in daniel and revelation alone. Interpreting biblical numbers the bible is the divine revelation of the true and living god and every jot and tittle in his word is deemed important. They contain gods instructions about how his people should live. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the hebrew bible, and the fourth of five books of the jewish torah. These are divided between the old testament and the new testament. Key characters of this book of the bible are moses, aaron, miriam, joshua, caleb, eleazar, korah, and balaam. Numbers chronicles the experiences of two generations of the nation of israel.
The book of numbers seems to follow naturally after the book of leviticus in the order of the books of moses in the old testament. The interpretation of numbers in the bible is quite different from how numbers are interpreted under popular numerological methods. The book of numbers derives its name from the account of the two censuses taken of the hebrew people, one near the beginning and the other toward the end of the journey in the wilderness chaps. Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that every word is significantand this includes numbers. The book of numbers essentially bridges the gap between the israelites receiving the law exodus and leviticus and preparing them to enter the promised land deuteronomy and joshua. The fourth book of moses called numbers the argument for as much as god hath appointed that his church in this world shall be under the cross, both because they should learn not to put their trust in worldly things, and also feel his comfort, when all other help faileth. This list looks at ten significant numbers in the bible numbers that pop up time and again. An introduction to the book of numbers an argument of the book of numbers. What is the purpose of the book of numbers in the bible. Introduction to the book of numbers learn religions. This is the place wherein the israelites have received the ten commandments.
Free shipping get free shipping free 58 day shipping within the u. Biblical numerology is the use of numbers for their symbolic value in biblical texts for example, the seven days of creation in genesis 1 while many ancient languages, religions, and philosophies contained numeric interpretation of events, words, and names, this article is concerned with those uniquely affecting judeochristian beliefs. Moses is the source and primary author of the book of numbers, which is the fourth volume in the pentateuch. The prince of bible numbers, it is used 562 times, including its derivatives e. It extends from the giving of the law at sinai, till their arrival in the plains of jordan. Book of numbers overview insight for living ministries. An account is given of their murmuring and unbelief, for which they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness nearly forty years. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the law of moses, also known as the torah or pentateuch. People who may not know a lot of details about catholicism may not be too familiar with this, but this has often been connected to the holy bible. The title is probably derived from the two occasions in the book where a census is taken num. Theyve been in this same spot for about a year and now theyre getting ready to start out on their journey to this land flowing. The book of numbers in the bible was written by moses roughly 1400 years before christ.
The hebrew title is bemidbar or in the wilderness rbdmb of sinai. The most popular bible verses from numbers found 1,288 verses numbers 1. It continues the story of that journey begun in exodus, and describes briefly the experiences of the israelites for a. May 11, 2009 the earlier portions of the book were no doubt written as the events occurred, but it is evident that moses could not have completed numbers until toward the end of the 40th year in the wilderness, early in the calendar year 1473 b. There are about significant numbers in the holy bible that have some special symbolism. The name numbers is a translation of arithmoi, from the septuagint, titled thus because the book contains many statistics, population counts, tribal and priestly figures, and.
For the 1973 american crime film, see book of numbers film. After their liberation from egypt, god organized his people into an army and a priesthood as they go. The book of numbers in the bible is the fourth book in the old testament. But things go horribly wrong as israel rebels and almost misses their chance to enter the land. Numbers bible book with full chapters king james version. In the catholic religion the holy bible is composed of 73 books. It continues the story of that journey begun in exodus, and describes briefly the experiences of the israelites for a period of thirtyeight. 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. Commentary on the book of numbers by matthew henry old.
Book of numbers simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. It is the book that displayed the cowardice of a certain generation of the children of israel their distrust in god made him to. Biblia sacra the holy bible is the most widely read book in the world. It is a bridge between the giving of the law in exodus and leviticus with the entering of the promised land in deuteronomy and joshua. Book of numbers quotes community the lord spoke to moses, saying. Numbers is so named because a census of israel is taken twice in the book. 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.
The protestant bibles have 66 books, 7 less than the catholic bibles. An introduction to the book of numbers from the bible jack wellman. The first 5 books in the bible are called the 5 books of moses. The earlier portions of the book were no doubt written as the events occurred, but it is evident that moses could not have completed numbers until toward the end of the 40th year in the wilderness, early in the calendar year 1473 b. Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36. Biblical numerology is defined as the study of the spiritual significance of numbers used in the bible. This book is called numbers from the several numberings of the people contained in it. Once again its name is derived from the septuagint via the vulgate. The first census was completed while the israelites were still at mount sinai chapters 12, and the second one came 38 years later when they arrived at the borders of canaan at the end of their wanderings in the wilderness chapter 26. The book of numbers the book of numbers gets its title from the greek word arithmoi.
The dirt or soil in the holy tent was considered sacred since it was under the red dyed rams skins. Numbers also presents the chastening wrath of god against his disobedient people. It describes moses taking two population censuses, hence the name numbers. An essential key to understanding the design of gods word is through the meaning of biblical numbers. This is the word assigned by the lxx the septuagint a greek translation of the ot, due to the two numberings of the people in chapter 1 and 26. Tom constables expository notes on numbers this is also available in the net. This generation was numbered for the war of conquest in canaan 1. As i write this introduction, my personal notes on this book exceed four hundred pages. The niv study bible calls numbers 2theologically significant. The apostle paul advised the church in corinth about yielding to temptations to grumbling, immorality, and idol worship like the hebrews did 1 cor.
The purpose of the book of numbers is to tell about how israel prepared to enter the promise land, but sinned and was punished. The fourth book of moses called numbers geneva bible. If the lord delights in us, then he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land which flows with milk and honey. Although the arrangement of some is obvious, others are not and require indepth bible.
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. 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. 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. 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.
They are preparing militarily, hence the english name of the fourth book of the bible is numbers, since they are organizing and counting their ranks. Its true that numbers 5 has no mention of pregnancy, but in spiritual terms the bitter water also represents the curse of enmity because like water or waters we are all swimming together in it and also in revelations. The book of numbers was written between 1440 and 1400 b. The new testament is made up of the remaining 27 books protestant. The book has a long and complex history, but its final form is. It continues the story of that journey begun in exodus, and describes briefly the experiences of the israelites for a period of thirtyeight years, from the. It is called a book of moses because it contains the story of moses and the israelites when they wander throughout the wilderness before ending up at israel also known as canaan or palestine, where god promised they will settle the promised land. The promised land the land we passed through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. Top 10 significant numbers in biblical numerology listverse. The original hebrew title which means in the wilderness, is much more accurate, because the book of numbers is its really an accurate history of the events that happened during the period of wandering in the wilderness and not necessarily a book about statistics. A bible book of numbers what ifs bible picture books 2 and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle. Summary of the book of numbers the story of the bible. It is a source of inspiration to many and more curiously a source of divination and secret codes.
Clicking on a chapter will show you the text of that chapter of numbers in the bible king james version. When the book of bamidbar literally, in the wilderness begins, the israelites are in the wilderness, having left egypt and received the torah, and are preparing to travel to israel. The story of numbers is so important from a spiritual perspective that two new testament writers warn their readers about failing similar tests. More than just a history lesson, the book of numbers reveals how god reminded israel that he does not tolerate rebellion, complaining, and disbelief without invoking consequences. The book of numbers is important in this debate esp. It reminds believers of the spiritual warfare in which they are engaged, for numbers is the book of the service and walk of god s people. The greek title in the translation of the ot lxx was. He taught his people how to walk with himnot just with their feet through the wilderness but with their mouths in worship, hands in service, and lives as witnesses to the surrounding nations. This is the exact same place where the israelites have been hanging out since god freed them from slavery back in exodus. The book of numbers is traditionally ascribed to moses though little in the book explicitly confirms it see, for example, however, 33. Bullingers reseach and insight into this topic is excellent.
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