Book of Numbers
The Book of Numbers is the fourth of the books of the Pentateuch, called in the Hebrew be-midbar, i.e., "in the wilderness." In the Septuagint version it is called "Numbers," and this name is now the usual title of the book. It is so called because it contains a record of the numbering of the people in the wilderness of Sinai (1-4), and of their numbering afterwards on the plain of Moab (26).This book is of special historical interest as furnishing us with details as to the route of the Israelites in the wilderness and their principal encampments. It may be divided into three parts:
- The numbering of the people at Sinai, and preparations for their resuming their march (1-10:10). The sixth chapter gives an account of the vow of a Nazarite[?].
- An account of the journey from Sinai to Moab, the sending out of the spies and the report they brought back, and the murmurings (eight times) of the people at the hardships by the way (10:11-21:20).
- The transactions in the plain of Moab before crossing the Jordan River (21:21-ch. 36).
The period comprehended in the history extends from the second month of the second year after the Exodus to the beginning of the eleventh month of the fortieth year, in all about thirty-eight years and ten months; a dreary period of wanderings. They were fewer in number at the end of their wanderings than when they left the land of Egypt.
The expression "the book of the wars of the Lord," occurring in 21:14, has given rise to much discussion. But, after all, "what this book was is uncertain, whether some writing of Israel not now extant, or some writing of the Amorites which contained songs and triumphs of their king Sihon's victories, out of which Moses may cite this testimony, as Paul sometimes does out of heathen poets (Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12)."
- See also : Balaam
Initial text from Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897 -- Please update as needed
people, and caring only to live for her child.html">child's sake, who gave her at
lost for ever!" she said to herself, sighing, and looking again at
twilight hour, returning to his home for the evening meal. She cast
against a yet fiery western sky, then let it fall on a little grove
her dwelling. Everything was calm; approaching night brought silence
to leave which required always an effort.
She rose to re-enter the house, when her attention was caught by a
mistaken, but the branches again rustled, then parted asunder, and
Terrified, Bertrande tried to scream, but not a sound escaped her
she almost thought it was a dream, for notwithstanding the dark
recognise features once dear to her. Had her bitter reveries ended
was giving way, and sank on her knees to pray for help. But the
gazing at her! Then she thought of witchcraft, of evil demons, and
which hung from her neck, and fell fainting on the ground. With one
uttered a piercing cry, and was clasped in her husband's arms.html">arms.
The whole village became aware of this event that same evening. The
relations naturally wishing to see him after this miraculous
gratify their curiosity; so that the hero of the little drama,
exhibit himself publicly in a neighbouring barn. His four sisters
examined him doubtfully ,at first, then extended his arms. Everybody
been with the young couple ever since their wedding-day. People
given more character to his countenance and more development to his
that he limped slightly. These were the marks of wounds he had
anxious to return to his wife and child, but the crowd insisted on
.
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