Numbers:
Hebrew: Bemidbar—In
the desert (not actually the first word)—Very fitting title
English name of numbers comes
from two occasions where Moses numbers the people (chp.
1, 26)
Traditionally ascribed to Moses, and no reason he could not have written much of the
book, but there are parts that it is unlikely that Moses wrote (Nu. 12:3).
Covers the
years of wilderness wandering—Nu.
1:1 (10:11)—“the second year after the Israelites came out of
Themes:
Importance of obedience
Importance of faith
Remember structure of Pentateuch:
6
parts:
1. Creation of the world and
origin of the nations (Gen. 1-11): The time of beginnings consists of 5 new
starts—Adam, Cain, Seth, Noah, Abram.
2. Time of the patriarchs
(Gen. 12-50): Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph—promises and blessings
3. Moses and the deliverance
of
4. The Law (Ex. 19:1-Num.
10:10): Covenant, Ten Commandments, tabernacle, priestly system, holy days
5. Wandering in the
Wilderness (Num. 10:11-36:13): Various trials and obstacles, division of the
land
6. Last words of Moses
(Deuteronomy): Repetition of the Law, blessings and curses.