1
The Census of the Israelites
Numbers 1
A census is taken of the Israelites, and the organization of the tribes is outlined.
Read chapter 1
Numbers
Census
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It tells the story of the Israelites as they journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, following their exodus from Egypt. The book begins with a census of the Israelites, and it includes a number of stories and events that occurred during their journey.One of the main themes of the book is the Israelites' faithfulness to God and their obedience to his commands. The book also includes a number of stories of rebellion and disobedience, as well as stories of God's punishment and mercy.Key figures in the book of Numbers include Moses, who led the Israelites on their journey, and Aaron, the first high priest of the Israelites. The book also mentions various other Israelite leaders and officials, such as the priests and the Levites, who were responsible for carrying out the various laws and instructions given by God. The book also includes stories of various individuals, such as Miriam, Aaron's sister, and Balaam, a prophet hired by the Moabites to curse the Israelites.
Commentary
36 chapters
The Book of Numbers is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It tells the story of the Israelites as they journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, following their exodus from Egypt. The book begins with a census of the Israelites, and it includes a number of stories and events that occurred during their journey.One of the main themes of the book is the Israelites' faithfulness to God and their obedience to his commands. The book also includes a number of stories of rebellion and disobedience, as well as stories of God's punishment and mercy.Key figures in the book of Numbers include Moses, who led the Israelites on their journey, and Aaron, the first high priest of the Israelites. The book also mentions various other Israelite leaders and officials, such as the priests and the Levites, who were responsible for carrying out the various laws and instructions given by God. The book also includes stories of various individuals, such as Miriam, Aaron's sister, and Balaam, a prophet hired by the Moabites to curse the Israelites.
Biblical figures
Key figures in Numbers
God
Supreme Being
Israel
King
Moses
Prophet, biblical judge
Judah
Tribal leader
Egypt
Pharaoh
Dan
Judge
Jacob
Prophet, Patriarchs
Levi
Priest
Aaron
High Priest of Israel
Ben
Son of Jacob.
Abraham
Prophet, patriarch
Joseph
Prophet, Vizier
Joshua
Prophet
J
Jordan
Baptist
Ephraim
Tribe Leader
Benjamin
Son of Jacob.
C
Canaan
Land of Canaan
Eve
Mother of all humankind
Manasseh son of Jacob
Isaac
Prophet, patriarch
A
Ammon
Servant
G
Gilead
Judge
E
Edom
Chief of Edom.
G
Gad
prophet
Reuben
Firstborn of Jacob.
Shem
Son
R
Ram
Judge
Elisha
Prophet
H
Hebron
City
Eleazar
High Priest of Israel
M
Midian
Judge
B
Bashan
King of Bashan
Noah
Patriarch
Simeon
Priest
N
Naphtali
Tribal leader
Z
Zebulun
.
A
Asher
Tribal leader.
G
Gideon
Prophet, biblical judge
I
Issachar
Tribal leader.
N
Nazar
Prophet.
S
Sheba
Queen
Sarah
Prophet
M
Merari
Levite
Caleb
Spy.
S
Sinai
Prophet.
A
Amon
King
G
Gershon
Musician
K
Kadesh
Priest
Korah
Rebel.
A
Arnon
Governor
P
Phinehas
High Priest of Israel
Abel
Shepherd
Z
Zerah
Chieftain
E
Eliab
Eliab's positionheld would be "brother of David."
M
Mattan
High Priest
H
Hezron
Ancestor
Tirzah
Queen
U
Uzziel
Leader.
A
Amram
Father of Moses
E
Elishama
Leader
N
Naaman
Commander of the army
B
Bela
King
H
Heber
Judge
M
Michael
Archangel
Miriam
Prophetess
Z
Zimri
King of Israel
E
Eber
Patriarch.
M
Mahli
Head of a father's house
E
Elim
No specific positionheld is listed for the figure Elim in the Bible.
P
Pharez
Descendant
A
Abiram
Rebel
A
Aram
King
I
Izhar
Head of a father's house
J
Jazer
Leader.
M
Milcah
Wife.
S
Shelah
Priest
Z
Zin
Guide
Dathan
Rebel
R
Reuel
Chief of Midian
C
Carmi
No information found for figure "Carmi" in the Bible.
E
Elon
Judge
J
Jachin
High Priest
N
Nahshon
Prince
S
Seth
Son
E
Edrei
Guard
O
Onan
Son of Judah.
S
Shaul
King
T
Tola
Judge
G
Gamaliel
Teacher
J
Jamin
Unknown
L
Libni
Chief of the Gershonite family
M
Meribah
Rebelled against Moses and Aaron
A
Abihail
Father of Esther
A
Ammiel
My apologies, but it seems that there is no specific position mentioned in the Bible for the figure Ammiel.
H
Hanoch
Enoch - Prophet
T
Talma
A
Abidan
A
Arad
E
Enan
H
Helon
M
Marah
D
Deuel
E
Etham
J
Jezer
M
Mahlah
R
Rameses
A
Areli
A
Asriel
J
Jahleel
J
Jahzeel
K
Kemuel
S
Shemuel
T
Tahan
E
Eldad
J
Jehoshua
Jochebed
O
Oshea
O
Ozni
R
Reba
T
Tarah
A
Azzan
G
Gaddiel
H
Hanniel
L
Lael
N
Nahbi
N
Nimrah
R
Raguel
S
Susi
Z
Zared
Z
Zuriel
A
Abihu
Balaam
Prophet
E
Eli
High Priest of Israel, biblical judge
E
Er
Ham
I
Ithamar
J
Jashub
M
Moab
Nadab
S
Sered
S
Shimron
Chapters
Chapters
2
The Arrangement of the Camps
Numbers 2
The Israelites are organized into four camps, with each tribe assigned a specific position around the Tabernacle.
Read chapter 2
3
The Levites
Numbers 3
A second census is taken of the Levites, and their duties in serving the Tabernacle are outlined.
Read chapter 3
4
The Duties of the Levites
Numbers 4
The duties of the Kohathites, Merarites and Gershonites, the three divisions of the Levites, are outlined.
Read chapter 4
5
The Law of Jealousy
Numbers 5
Instructions are given for dealing with those who have become ceremonially unclean.
Read chapter 5
6
The Law of the Nazirite
Numbers 6
God institutes the law of the Nazirite, which sets out specific rules for those who take a vow to be set apart to God.
Read chapter 6
7
The Altar and Its Vessels
Numbers 7
The leaders of the tribes bring offerings to dedicate the Tabernacle.
Read chapter 7
8
The Consecration of the Levites
Numbers 8
God gives instructions for the lighting and care of the lampstand.
Read chapter 8
9
The Second Passover
Numbers 9
God commands the Israelites to keep the Passover, even if they are ceremonially unclean.
Read chapter 9
10
The Silver Trumpets
Numbers 10
God commands the Israelites to make two silver trumpets for signaling and for calling the assembly.
Read chapter 10
11
The Complaints of the Israelites
Numbers 11
The Israelites complain about the food and God sends quail and a plague.
Read chapter 11
12
Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses
Numbers 12
Miriam and Aaron speak against Moses, and Miriam is punished with leprosy.
Read chapter 12
13
The Spies Sent to Canaan
Numbers 13
Moses sends out twelve spies to explore the land of Canaan and they bring back a mixed report.
Read chapter 13
14
The Israelites Rebel and are Condemned to Wander in the Wilderness
Numbers 14
The Israelites rebel against God's command to enter the land of Canaan, and as a punishment, they will wander in the wilderness for forty years.
Read chapter 14
15
The Law of Offerings
Numbers 15
God commands the Israelites to offer special sacrifices for unintentional sins.
Read chapter 15
16
Korah's Rebellion
Numbers 16
Korah, Dathan and Abiram rebel against Moses and Aaron, but God destroys them and their followers.
Read chapter 16
17
Aaron's Rod Budded
Numbers 17
God commands that Aaron's rod be kept as a reminder of his chosen position as high priest.
Read chapter 17
18
The Duties of the Priests and Levites
Numbers 18
God commands that the priests, the descendants of Aaron, have the responsibility of the care of the sanctuary and the performance of the priestly service.
Read chapter 18
19
The Water of Purification
Numbers 19
God commands the Israelites to purify themselves with the ashes of a red heifer.
Read chapter 19
20
Water from the Rock
Numbers 20
The Israelites are punished for not believing in God, as a result, Moses is not allowed to enter the promised land.
Read chapter 20
21
The Bronze Serpent
Numbers 21
The Israelites defeat King Sihon and King Og, but they also complain and are punished with fiery serpents.
Read chapter 21
22
Balaam and Balak
Numbers 22
Balaam is hired to curse the Israelites, but he blesses them instead.
Read chapter 22
23
Balaam's Oracles
Numbers 23
Balaam's prophecies of the coming of a great leader, the Messiah.
Read chapter 23
24
Balaam's Blessing
Numbers 24
Balaam's final prophecy and his departure.
Read chapter 24
25
The Sin of Baal Peor
Numbers 25
Israelites commit idolatry and immorality with Moabite women, and a plague breaks out among them as punishment.
Read chapter 25
26
The Census of the Israelites
Numbers 26
A second census is taken of the Israelites and the land is apportioned among the tribes.
Read chapter 26
27
The Daughters of Zelophehad
Numbers 27
The daughters of Zelophehad approach Moses, asking for their father's inheritance, as he has no sons. God commands that the inheritance be passed down to them.
Read chapter 27
28
The Offerings of the Israelites
Numbers 28
God commands the Israelites to offer daily, weekly, and annual burnt offerings, grain offerings and peace offerings.
Read chapter 28
29
The Festivals of the Lord
Numbers 29
God commands the Israelites to offer special burnt offerings and peace offerings on certain appointed festivals.
Read chapter 29
30
The Law of Vows
Numbers 30
God commands that a person's vow must be fulfilled, but also commands that a parent or husband has the right to nullify a vow made by a woman under their authority.
Read chapter 30
31
The War with the Midianites
Numbers 31
God commands the Israelites to destroy the Midianites and Moses is angry with the officers for sparing the women.
Read chapter 31
32
Reuben and Gad Inherit East of Jordan
Numbers 32
The tribes of Reuben and Gad ask Moses for permission to settle in the land east of the Jordan River.
Read chapter 32
33
The Journey of the Israelites
Numbers 33
God commands the Israelites to drive out the inhabitants of the land of Canaan and to divide the land among the tribes.
Read chapter 33
34
The Borders of the Land of Canaan
Numbers 34
God commands the Israelites to appoint Joshua as Moses' successor and to divide the land of Canaan among the tribes.
Read chapter 34
35
Cities for the Levites
Numbers 35
God commands the Israelites to appoint cities of refuge, where those who have killed unintentionally can seek asylum.
Read chapter 35
36
The Law of Inheritance
Numbers 36
God commands that Zelophehad's daughters' inheritance must remain within their own tribe, so that the land allotted to each tribe will not be transferred from one tribe to another.
Read chapter 36