Numbers Bible Notes 1:1-54

Numbers Notes 1:1-54

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Instructions for the journey from Sinai 1:1-10:10

Account of the census 1:1-4:49

Military census 1:1-2:34
Civilian census: the Levites 3:1-4:49

More instructions and accounts 5:1-10:10

Five instructions 5:1-6:27
Offering of the leaders 7:1-89
Dedication of the Levites 8:1-26
Second Passover 9:1-14
The cloud and fire guide the people 9:15-23
The silver trumpets 10:1-10

Account of the journey 10:11-36:13

Rebellion and punishment of the first generation 10:11-25:18

Account of the first march from Sinai 10:11-36
Complaints of the people 11:1-3
Crying out for meat 11:4-35
Moses is challenged 12:1-16
Denial of entry into the Promised Land 13:1-14:45
Instructions about the offerings 15:1-41
Challenges to Aaron's authority 16:1-18:32
Laws of purification 19:1-22
Death of Miriam and Aaron 20:1-29
From Mount Hor to the plains of Moab 21:1-35
Balak and Balaam 22:1-25:18

Preparation of the new generation 26:1-36:13

A new census 26:1-65
Instructions concerning inheritance, offerings and vows 27:1-30:16
Vengeance upon the Midianites 31:1-54
The tribes of the Transjordan 32:1-42
Itinerary from Egypt to Moab 33:1-49
Instructions for the occupation of Canaan 33:50-36:13

OLD TESTAMENT NUMBERS (HBH)
In the Hebrew text of the OT numbers are written out as words, never represented by symbols or abbreviations. The numbers most frequently found in the OT are one, two, ten, and seven (in that order). Hebrew also used separate words for fractions, such as one-tenth (Exod. 16:36), two-tenths (II Sam. 18:2), and one-half (Exod. 25:10). During the Intertestamental Period a system of numerical equivalents for the letters of the Hebrew alphabet was developed. Thus 'alep represented one, bet represented two, and so forth, following the order of the alphabet. Numerals beyond ten were formed by a combination of letters. This system is commonly used to denote chapter and verse divisions in printed texts of the Hebrew Bible today. Numbers are most frequently found in the OT in the enumeration of age or a census. Much attention has been given to the great ages of certain persons who lived before the flood. Examples are Methuselah, 969 years; Adam, 930 years; Seth, 912 years (Gen. 5:5-27). Bible interpreters understand these large numbers in various ways. (1) Some explain the numbers as based on a different reckoning of time. (2) Others take the numbers as a reference to an entire family rather than one individual. (3) Others see the large numbers as evidence that sin or disease had not yet sufficiently infected the human race to shorten the life span, or due to cosmological conditions that were different, making longevity commonplace. (4) Others believe that these ages had symbolic significance, whose meaning is unknown. (5) Others accept the ages as historical fact without explanation. The large numbers found in census and enumeration lists (for example, Num. 1:21-46; I Kings 4:26) have been explained as textual errors or as symbolical numbers. (For example, the large number of people involved in the exodus from Egypt in Exod. 12:37 has been explained as symbolically suggesting power, importance, and victory of the Israelites.) Others insist the numbers should always be taken literally since apparent problems can be explained by careful analysis. Numbers are sometimes used literally (for example, Asa ruled forty-one years, I Kings 15:10). Other numbers are approximations (I Kings 20:29; II Chron. 17:14-18). Sometimes numbers represent an indefinite number (Judg. 5:30; II Kings 9:32; Isa. 17:6). Numbers are sometimes used in the OT for rhetorical or poetic effect. For example, numbers may express a striking contrast between GOD's limited judgment and great mercy (Exod. 20:5-6) or between military strength and weakness (Lev. 26:8; I Sam. 18:7). A further example is a sequence of two consecutive small numbers, which should be interpreted as an indefinite number or perhaps a large number (Amos 1:3,6,9,11,13; Prov. 30:15,18,21,29). Much attention has been given to discovering symbolic and mystical significance in biblical numbers. For example, "one" represents unity; "four" is the world; "seven" represents completeness. But the Bible itself neither affirms nor denies hidden meanings, which are often determined by the ingenuity of the one interpreting them. A system called gematria developed in late Judaism that found hidden meaning in numbers. By giving numerical value to the letters of a word or phrase, hidden meanings were discovered. For example, 603,550 (Num. 1:46) means the sum of all the children of Israel (Num. 1:2). By gematria the enigmatic "Shiloh comes" (Gen. 49:10) has the numerical value of 358, the numerical value of the word "messiah". Correct interpretation of a passage will often depend on a proper understanding of how the numerals are being used.

OLD TESTAMENT NUMBERS (HBH)

In the Hebrew text of the OT numbers are written out as words, never represented by symbols or abbreviations. The numbers most frequently found in the OT are one, two, ten, and seven (in that order).

Hebrew also used separate words for fractions, such as one-tenth (Exod. 16:36), two-tenths (II Sam. 18:2), and one-half (Exod. 25:10).

During the Intertestamental Period a system of numerical equivalents for the letters of the Hebrew alphabet was developed. Thus 'alep represented one, bet represented two, and so forth, following the order of the alphabet. Numerals beyond ten were formed by a combination of letters. This system is commonly used to denote chapter and verse divisions in printed texts of the Hebrew Bible today.

Numbers are most frequently found in the OT in the enumeration of age or a census. Much attention has been given to the great ages of certain persons who lived before the flood. Examples are Methuselah, 969 years; Adam, 930 years; Seth, 912 years (Gen. 5:5-27). Bible interpreters understand these large numbers in various ways. (1) Some explain the numbers as based on a different reckoning of time. (2) Others take the numbers as a reference to an entire family rather than one individual. (3) Others see the large numbers as evidence that sin or disease had not yet sufficiently infected the human race to shorten the life span, or due to cosmological conditions that were different, making longevity commonplace. (4) Others believe that these ages had symbolic significance, whose meaning is unknown. (5) Others accept the ages as historical fact without explanation.

The large numbers found in census and enumeration lists (for example, Num. 1:21-46; I Kings 4:26) have been explained as textual errors or as symbolical numbers. (For example, the large number of people involved in the exodus from Egypt in Exod. 12:37 has been explained as symbolically suggesting power, importance, and victory of the Israelites.) Others insist the numbers should always be taken literally since apparent problems can be explained by careful analysis.

Numbers are sometimes used literally (for example, Asa ruled forty-one years, I Kings 15:10). Other numbers are approximations (I Kings 20:29; II Chron. 17:14-18). Sometimes numbers represent an indefinite number (Judg. 5:30; II Kings 9:32; Isa. 17:6).

Numbers are sometimes used in the OT for rhetorical or poetic effect. For example, numbers may express a striking contrast between GOD's limited judgment and great mercy (Exod. 20:5-6) or between military strength and weakness (Lev. 26:8; I Sam. 18:7).

A further example is a sequence of two consecutive small numbers, which should be interpreted as an indefinite number or perhaps a large number (Amos 1:3,6,9,11,13; Prov. 30:15,18,21,29).

Much attention has been given to discovering symbolic and mystical significance in biblical numbers. For example, "one" represents unity; "four" is the world; "seven" represents completeness. But the Bible itself neither affirms nor denies hidden meanings, which are often determined by the ingenuity of the one interpreting them.

A system called gematria developed in late Judaism that found hidden meaning in numbers. By giving numerical value to the letters of a word or phrase, hidden meanings were discovered. For example, 603,550 (Num. 1:46) means the sum of all the children of Israel (Num. 1:2). By gematria the enigmatic "Shiloh comes" (Gen. 49:10) has the numerical value of 358, the numerical value of the word "messiah". Correct interpretation of a passage will often depend on a proper understanding of how the numerals are being used.

NUM 1:1-10:10 ORGANIZING ISRAEL TO TAKE THE PROMISED LAND (HBH) The covenant with Israel had been concluded at Sinai. And its social, political, and religious stipulations had been outlined (Exod. 20-40; Lev.). Then the LORD commanded His people to leave the holy mountain and to make their way to the land of promise.

Num. 1:1-2:34 Organizing the Tribes for War (HBH) The census of the men of military age (1:3) revealed a fighting force of 603,550 (1:46), excluding the Levites. GOD had fulfilled His promise to Abraham of numerous descendants. With such an army Israel was well equipped to take the promised land. To facilitate moving and encamping such a vast force, explicit instructions as to tribal, clan, and family organization became mandatory.

The Israelite camp was organized with GOD's dwelling, the tabernacle, at its center (2:17). The Levites and priests camped nearest to the tabernacle, the priests guarding the entrance on the east side (3:38). The "lay tribes" camped somewhat farther away, with Judah occupying the position of leadership, again to the east (2:9). Such organization lays stress on preserving the purity of the tabernacle. The Levites were responsible for the movement and care of the tabernacle and so remained outside the military census (1:47-54).

Num. 1:1-50 The census spoken of in chapter 1 was appointed for the formation of an army for the invasion of the Promised Land.

Num. 1:1 The Book of Exodus (19:1) dates the arrival at Sinai three months after the departure from Egypt. The tabernacle of reunion was completed nine months later, in the first month of the second year (Exod. 40:17), and the Book of Numbers begins its account in the month of this final event. Nineteen months later (10:11), Israel leaves Sinai. Numbers presents the people of GOD moving toward the land that they will inherit.

Num. 1:2-16 The order is given to take a census and form an army of men of twenty years and older. Its realization is narrated in detail in verses 17-46.

Num. 1:5-15 The mention of specific names shows the importance of the individual in the framework of collective interests.

Num. 1:18 This public proclamation of the families that make up the people makes known to all Israel the composition and character of that community. The census didn't have the objective of measuring the forces that were counted, but was designed to clarify the question of who formed the people of Israel, especially those capable of fighting in Canaan (v.45).

Num. 1:24-43 The order here corresponds to the organization of the army, as detailed in 2:10-17.

Num. 1:46 The exactitude of the figures cited here has caused great debates among the experts. There doesn't exist, however, any reason to doubt them.

Num. 1:49-51 See section 3 of "TRUTH IN ACTION" at the end of Numbers.

Num. 1:50 The Levites were excepted from military service on the basis that they had to be occupied with the service of the tabernacle of testimony, a synonym for the tabernacle of reunion, or simply of the tabernacle (see the notes for Exodus 25-27; 36:8-39:43).

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