The book of numbers is the fourth book of the law of moses, also known as the torah or pentateuch. The 2nd census, in numbers 26, is the new generation as they are waiting to enter the promised land. Chapters 34 the census of the levites and the firstborn sons previous numbers lessons list next beloved god and father, you have called each of us individually and as a people of the universal new covenant to a life sanctified in service to our savior. Bill dollarhides the census book is the best reference book on the subject among several that have been issued in the same time frame.
This summary of the book of numbers provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of numbers. 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. In the book of numbers, the israelites as a community were rebellious towards god. Take a census of the whole israelite community by their clans and families, listing every man by name, one by one. There are a couple possible reasons to explain why god ordered a census of the people of israel in the book of numbers. Numbers 12 new international version niv the census. In chapter 26, we find a similar census taken of the men of the second generation, those about to. Critics often argue that the numbers in the bible are not literal or are impossible to accept.
While i respect loretto szucsmatthew wrights excellent book and the detailed book by kathleen hinchley, this one is concise, has detailed dates and references, and is the one i return to again and again, bravo, bill. The name numbers is a translation of arithmoi, from the septuagint, titled thus because the book contains many statistics, population counts, tribal and priestly figures, and. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel. In chapter 26, we find a similar census taken of the men of the second generation, those about to enter the promised land of canaan. God could have commanded the census to reveal his power in redeeming such a large number of people or to list those who were able to serve in war numbers 1. Oct 26, 2010 the main events in 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. The majority of the book talks about the wilderness experience of the people of israel. Since all who were liable had paid that tax exodus 38. The second census was taken in the fortieth year after the exodus numbering the second generation of postexodus israelites num 20. The treatment by sir flinders petrie in 1906 and again in 1923 is the only one which seriously attempted to.
These two explanations suffice to prove that the numbers of men in israel are not irreconcilable. What was the purpose of the census in numbers 1 answers. Only a few chapters 14 and 26, are given over to numbering census taking, while the major portion of the book deals with the laws, regulations and experiences of israel in the wilderness. These two numberings of the people serve as bookends for this section of scripture, which is why we call it numbers. The book of numbers derives its name from the two recorded censuses made of the israelite people, one at the beginning of the 40year wilderness experience and one at the end. The acs shows how people liveour education, housing, jobs and more, explained census bureau spokesperson charmine yates. These are the codes used when filing the paperwork with customs when you export products overseas. Date of birth the 1900 census column 7 indicates the persons month and year of birth. Experienced genealogical researchers use clues found in one record to find other records about the same individual. If one understands the numbers to be literal and the men to represent about onefourth of the population, then the number of the israelites ranges from two to three million people 10 a literal understanding of the numbers in the census is in congruence with pharaohs fear of the rapidly increasing hebrews overrunning egypt ex 1. Why does the book of numbers begin with a census answers.
As to why the numbers match in both books, seven month apart, perhaps moses or a later editor of his writings was simply using the census number from the census taken later in the book of numbers as a reference from a future event to help readers understand who was included in paying for the tabernacle. The entire book consists of two census or numberings of the israelites from which the book derives its name. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from. Since god commanded earlier back in the book of exodus never to count the. The name of the book comes from the two censuses taken of the israelites. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from the book of numbers 1. Numbers 26 niv the second census after the plague bible. The book of numbers receives its name from the two census accounts it includes, at the beginning and towards the end of the account. The book of numbers takes its name from the account of the census that happened two times among.
The 1st census in numbers 1 is of the generation coming out of the egypt it is a draft. The greek title was used even though there is really no connection with the numberings. All the israelites twenty years old or more who were able to serve in israels army were counted according to their families. Data visualization tool for postsecondary employment outcomes. Take a census of all the congregation of the children of israel from twenty years old and above, by their fathers houses, all who are able to go to. The first census begins the book and was taken in the sinai desert in the year following the exodus.
The census here ordered had clearly been anticipated, as far as the numbers were concerned, by the results of the halfshekel polltax for the service of the sanctuary levied some time before on all adult males on pain of divine displeasure exodus 30. There are in fact two censuses, one in chapter 1, taken in the second year. Introduction to the book of numbers learn religions. Bamidbar picks up on the first day of the second month of the second year. The lord instructs moses concerning the arrangement of the tribal camps around the tabernacle. Census figures in numbers ad dei gloriam ministries. Olson notes the significance of the two census lists that are found in numbers. Types and shadows in numbers jesus is the pillar of cloud by day and the pillar of fire by night. You might get two surveys from the census bureau this year. The second took place at the end of the 40 years in the wilderness as the nation was preparing to finally enter the promised land. Center for economic studies ces ces partners with stakeholders to improve measures of the economy and people of the united states through research and. Some of these codes can be used for imports as well, so theyre very versatile. The lord commands moses to take a census of the whole israelite community.
Interesting facts about numbers barnes bible charts meaning. Summarize the data within each of the 24 resulting groups. Census bureau released an update to postsecondary employment outcomes pseo explorer. The meaning of census in the bible learn religions. Clues in census records, 18501930 national archives.
The english name of the book comes from the septuagint the prechristian greek translation of the ot and is based on the census lists. The greek translators called it avriqmo arithmoi, and in latin it was numeri, because the translators focused on the two census takings at the beginning and the end of the wanderings. Summary of the book of numbers the story of the bible. Aug 20, 2018 census in the bible the book of numbers derives its name from the two recorded censuses made of the israelite people, one at the beginning of the 40year wilderness experience and one at the end. The first census was taken in the second month of the second year after the exodus num 1. 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. In the book of numbers, for example, a census indicated that men twenty years old or older formed an army of more than 603,000 numbers 1. Census tracts and block numbering areas united nations. The whole purpose of the book of numbers is to record statistics. In chapter 1, we find a tally of the men of the first generation, those who came out of egypt with the exodus.
Both census tracts and bnas are an important part of the census bureaus geographic hierar chy see figures 21 and 23 in chapter 2. Numbers was written in the final year of moses life. The census the lord spoke to moses in the tent of meeting in the desert of sinai on the first day of the second month of the second year after the israelites came out of egypt. When moses took the 2nd census what two things did he discover all the original census people had died,600,000, and 40 years in all know the cycle of life of the israelites as described in numbers. There are two censuses because the first generation died and a second census was needed. It describes moses taking two population censuses, hence the name numbers. Because israel were counted twice in chapter 1 and 26. Numbers begins at mount sinai, where the israelites have received.
It is clear from a careful examination of the material, when it is grouped as in the above analysis, that the book of numbers is a part of the same literary process which produced the pentateuch. As with the exodus, it is difficult to establish the exact route that the israelites took, but it is generally believed that they headed east from mount sinai until they reached the red sea, where they turned northward to the top of the gulf and on to kadesh. The law includes the books of genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, and deuteronomy. Cut away the last two digits, so they range from 1 to 24. It continues the story of that journey begun in exodus, and describes briefly the experiences of the israelites for a period of thirty. The book of numbers takes its name from the account of the census that happened two times among the congregation of israel in numbers 14 and numbers 26. The purpose of the book of numbers is to tell about how israel prepared to enter the promise land, but sinned and was punished. This article describes some of the clues found in census records. The book of numbers study guide flashcards quizlet. You and aaron are to count according to their divisions all the men in israel who are.
Numbers gets its name from the two censuses, or numberings, of the people of israel. In the book of numbers how would you describe the israelites as a community. The book draws its name from the census made of the people, a necessary step toward their organization and future government. The results of the census of the 12 tribes of israel from the. The number of males 20 years and older implies a population of well over. And it came to pass, after the plague, that the lord spoke to moses and eleazar the son of aaron the priest, saying. God responds with shortterm severity and longterm generosity as he leads them into the promised land. The stated purpose of the israeli census, according to.
The book of numbers records two censuses of israelite males 20 years and olderi. Another census was ordered by god of the men who were over 20 years of age by family. The book of numbers records two censuses of israelite males 20 years and older i. Numbers 1 generation that grew up in the wilderness took place on the plains of moab. Do not, however, take a census of the levites, or register them with the other israelites, but enroll the levites to take charge of the dwelling where to testimony is and of all its furnishings and belongings. The two censuses break the book into its two logical divisions. The book of numbers opens with god telling moses to take a census of the people. From chapters 19 the israelites are preparing for their journey and entry into the promise land. It continues the story of that journey begun in exodus, and describes briefly the experiences of the israelites for a period of thirtyeight.
Apr 16, 2019 the book of numbers opens with god telling moses to take a census of the people. With two different authors writing apart from each other at nonidentical times, it is not at all specious to assert a reasonable plausibility to a different mode of reckoning in reporting the census vestrum. Census in the bible the book of numbers derives its name from the two recorded censuses made of the israelite people, one at the beginning of the 40year wilderness experience and one at the end. The book of numbers itself refers to the writing of moses in 33. Interpreting the census figures in numbers israel in the wilderness numbers 1, 26. This numbering of the people is not a complete census, however. This is the first of several censuses which will be taken in the book of numbers. The first census was taken in the second month of the. In hebrew, rbdmb bmidbar means in the wilderness, which is the real name of this book. The book of numbers gets its english name by way of the septuagint, which used the term because of the census that begins the book and the second one in chapter 26. The two census show the theme and structure of numbers. Numbers in the picture study bible the book of numbers.
The book of leviticus as well as the book of numbers follow immediately after the book of exodus. Unbelief hinders what god wants to do in our lives it was because of unbelief that the children. Book of numbers overview insight for living ministries. Unbelief hinders what god wants to do in our lives it was because of unbelief that the children of israel could not enter into the promised land.