Introduction to numbers bible commentary theology of work. And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, god shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. The way the story is told sounds odd and often harsh to readers today. Slideshow of book of numbers photos, paintings, pictures, and images. The books theology revolves around the outworking of the covenant between god and israel. In spite of the difficulties imposed by numbers on todays readers, the main point of the book is of immense importance for gods people in any age. Only to the students of the word, those to whom gods spirit has given spiritual insight, will the code be plain. God responds with shortterm severity and longterm generosity as he leads them into the promised land.
This conclusion is based on 1 statements concerning moses writing activity e. Amazing facts 247 television station featuring the best in bible study streamed lived and ondemand. Numbers, hebrew bemidbar in the wilderness, also called the fourth book of moses, the fourth book of the bible. Different religious groups include different books in their biblical canons, in varying orders, and sometimes divide or combine books. 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 book of numbers in the bible is the fourth book in the old testament.
The tanakh, or hebrew bible contains 24 books divided into three parts. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the hebrew bible, and the fourth of five books of the jewish torah. It can refer to the end of a cycle or when something is finished. It describes a period of transition from the exodus generation to the generation that would enter the promised land. Why the book of numbers is in the bible daily devotions. The book of numbers was written between 1440 and 1400 b. 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. Vallowe, in his book entitled biblical mathematics, writes the following. The jewish tanakh sometimes called the hebrew bible contains 24 books divided into three parts. Two of the most commonly repeated numbers in the bible are 7 and 40. Bible summary book of numbers book of numbers summary.
Tidwell and is an ideal resource for use in bible study groups conducting numbers bible study. The present hebrew title bemidbar the fifth word of the opening verse seems more apt since it actually encompasses all the events described in the book that took place in the wilderness leviticus, xi 2 leviticus, xi. It is a fascinating study with no one right answer. The book was extremely helpful as i prepared a lesson on the significance in the bible. Book of numbers summary book of numbers chapter 1 god orders moses, in the wilderness of sinai, to take the number of those able to bear armsof all the men from twenty years old and upward, the tribe of levi being excepted, and to appoint princes over each tribe. Robert johnston develops his fascinating investigation of biblical numerology by showing the uniqueness of the eternal word of god and its godbreathed inspiration. Book of numbers the fourth book of the old testament. Sabbath school study hour helping you get the most out of your sabbath school quarterly every week. Numbers 1 niv the census the lord spoke to moses in bible. The following scripture is from the authorized king james version of the holy bible, now in the public domain.
In return for protection and blessing and a new land, the people agree to serve god only, and that without idolatry. He continues to seek opportunities to be personally involved in world missions. The book of numbers, called also in the wilderness, opens with the second month of the second year after the exodus, and goes on to the arrival of the tribes in the plains of moab by the jordan. This comprehensive and erudite commentary resulting from.
Apart from moses himself, other key figures in this book also feature aaron, joshua, caleb, miriam, balaam, and korah. Enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. The book of numbers will also hone in on the recurring theme of following god without deviatio. Numbers 12 the lord spoke to moses in the wilderness of sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year, after they had come out of the land of egypt, saying, take a census of all the congregation. Bring on the tough stuff theres not just one right answer.
Numbers is so named because a census of israel is taken twice in the book. The book of numbers the book of numbers 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 end of their encampment at sinai to their arrival at the border of the promised land. The book was very interesting and clearly explained the significance of how god uses numbers in the bible. Another feature in this guide is the provision of questions for bible study and topics for discussion. Numbers in the bible and millions of other books are available for amazon kindle.
God is the great geometrician and does everything after a plan by number, weight, and measure. New international commentary on the old testament nicot. This is an insightful presentation of the accuracy of scriptural numerics and the perfection of the son of god in numerical ways. Numbers relates the story of israels journey from mount sinai to the plains of moab on the border of canaan. Moses was the author of the book of numbers, which he wrote between 14501410 bc. The book of numbers is the fourth of five parts which comprise what scripture calls the book of moses. 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 end of their. I n the septuagint version it is called numbers, and this name is now the usual title of the book. Tom constables expository notes on numbers this is also available in the net. As a whole it may be said to carry out the historical and religious ideas of exodus and leviticus.
Book of numbers simple english wikipedia, the free. The english title is a translation of the septuagint greek title referring to the numbering of the tribes of israel in chapters 14. 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 years following the exodus. In the latter half of exodus and virtually all leviticus the stipulations of the covenant are detailed. Much of the content of this section of bible study books of the bible is taken from the the bible book by book by j. 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. Book of numbers overview insight for living ministries. Biblical numerology is the study of numbers in the bible. Gordon wenham numbers tyndale old testament commentaries, 1981. It continues the story of that journey begun in exodus, and describes briefly the experiences of the israelites for a. 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. Although the account appears strange and even cruel at times, the difficulties presented by numbers deserve to be honestly faced by todays bible readers. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Podcast available for premium subscribers read the transcript.
The following are five of the most helpful commentaries on this neglected book of scripture. Tradition says that moses wrote the first five books of the bible. The church today, as a whole, does not understand the hebrew language of the old testament. He had a daily expository bible teaching ministry head in over 100 countries for ten years. Censuses were taken to quantify the human and natural resources available for the economic and governmental affairs, including military service num. The name numbers is a translation of arithmoi, from the septuagint, titled thus because the book contains many statistics, population counts. 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.
Much of its legislation for people and priests is similar. Numbers book of bible synonyms, numbers book of bible pronunciation, numbers book of bible translation, english dictionary definition of numbers book of bible. 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. The reader will find profit as well as inspiration from this intriguing study. Daniel his life and visions point to gods plans of redemption and sovereign control of history. Numbers book of bible definition of numbers book of. Numbers in the bible gods unique design in biblical numbers. The book is called numbers in english because it records a series of censuses that moses took of the tribes of israel. The first part of christian bibles is called the old testament, and contains the above 24. The reason that it is called numbers in the bible we use today is because hebrew is a dead language. These symbolic meanings of numbers in the bible are different from numerology, which involves looking for an occult meaning in numbers, their combinations, and numerical totals.
An introduction to the book of numbers an argument of the book of numbers. Book of numbers encyclopedia of the bible bible gateway. Ministry to helps you tell kids about jesus by providing ageappropriate bible study material and sunday school curriculum all 100% free online we believe that god is the loving father of all kids. Moses is the central figure within the book, and in at least two instances. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the law of moses, also known as the torah or pentateuch. The book of numbers tells a story that has two main characters god and israel. The law includes the books of genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, and deuteronomy.
The book has to do with the numbering or countingcensus of gods people. The result of the numbering is that 603,550 israelites are found to be fit for military service. Watch our overview video on the book of numbers, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Numbers bible book with full chapters king james version. It is called numbers because it contains the census of the people who wandered in the wilderness. And nowhere in the bible are gods initiative and control expressed more clearly and pervasively than in the book of the prophet ezekiel. It is so called because it contains a record of the numbering of the people in the wilderness of sinai, and of their numbering afterwards on the plain of moab. Numbers the bible project videos israel takes an epic road trip through the wilderness on their way to the promised land. The book has a long and complex history, but its final form is probably due to a priestly redaction i. For the edition of the bible without chapters and verses, see the books of the bible. The book of numbers narrates a key chapter in the story of israel. Books of the bible list order complete new and old testament.
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