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The Bible · Old Testament · 36 chapters

Numbers

Israel’s forty years in the wilderness. It opens and closes with a census of the tribes. In between, the people complain, rebel and refuse to enter the promised land, and a whole generation dies in the desert, yet God stays faithful and keeps leading them.

Author
Traditionally Moses
Written
Traditionally about 1400 BC

Chapters

  1. 1Numbers 1At Sinai, Moses takes a census of Israel’s fighting men by tribe. The Levites are counted separately to care for the tabernacle.
  2. 2Numbers 2The arrangement of the tribes’ camps around the tabernacle, with the Lord’s dwelling at the centre.
  3. 3Numbers 3The Levites are assigned to serve the priests and are counted in place of Israel’s firstborn.
  4. 4Numbers 4The duties of the three Levite clans in carrying the tabernacle.
  5. 5Numbers 5Laws about keeping the camp pure, making restitution, and a test for suspected unfaithfulness.
  6. 6Numbers 6The Nazirite vow of special devotion, and the priestly blessing: “The Lord bless you and keep you.”
  7. 7Numbers 7The leaders of the twelve tribes bring identical offerings for the dedication of the altar.
  8. 8Numbers 8The lamps are set up, and the Levites are purified and dedicated for service.
  9. 9Numbers 9The second Passover is kept, and God guides Israel by the cloud over the tabernacle.
  10. 10Numbers 10Silver trumpets signal the camp. Israel sets out from Sinai, and Moses prays for the Lord to go before them.
  11. 11Numbers 11The people complain about the manna and crave meat. God gives the Spirit to seventy elders and sends quail, along with a plague.
  12. 12Numbers 12Miriam and Aaron criticise Moses. God defends Moses as the most humble man on earth, and Miriam is struck with a skin disease until Moses prays for her.
  13. 13Numbers 13Twelve spies explore Canaan. They report a rich land but powerful people. Only Caleb says, “We can certainly do it.”
  14. 14Numbers 14The people refuse to enter the land and want to return to Egypt. God decrees that this generation will wander forty years in the wilderness, all except Caleb and Joshua.
  15. 15Numbers 15Laws for offerings in the land, and the tassels on clothes to remember God’s commands.
  16. 16Numbers 16Korah, Dathan and Abiram rebel against Moses and Aaron. The ground swallows them, and Aaron stops a plague by standing between the living and the dead.
  17. 17Numbers 17Aaron’s staff buds, blossoms and produces almonds, confirming that God chose him as priest.
  18. 18Numbers 18The duties and support of the priests and Levites.
  19. 19Numbers 19The ashes of a red heifer are used for purification from contact with death.
  20. 20Numbers 20Miriam dies. Moses strikes the rock in anger instead of speaking to it, so he will not enter the land. Aaron dies on Mount Hor.
  21. 21Numbers 21The people complain, and venomous snakes bite them. God tells Moses to make a bronze snake on a pole, and whoever looks at it lives. Israel defeats Sihon and Og.
  22. 22Numbers 22Balak, king of Moab, hires the prophet Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam’s donkey sees the angel of the Lord and speaks.
  23. 23Numbers 23Balaam tries to curse Israel but can only bless them.
  24. 24Numbers 24Balaam blesses Israel a third time and foresees a star rising out of Jacob.
  25. 25Numbers 25Israel is drawn into sexual immorality and idol worship with Moab. Phinehas acts zealously, and the plague stops.
  26. 26Numbers 26A second census of the new generation on the plains of Moab, ready to enter the land.
  27. 27Numbers 27The daughters of Zelophehad ask to inherit their father’s land, and God agrees. Joshua is appointed to succeed Moses.
  28. 28Numbers 28Daily, Sabbath and monthly offerings, and those for Passover and the Feast of Weeks.
  29. 29Numbers 29Offerings for the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles.
  30. 30Numbers 30Laws about keeping vows.
  31. 31Numbers 31Israel takes vengeance on Midian for leading them into sin, and the spoils are divided.
  32. 32Numbers 32The tribes of Reuben and Gad ask to settle east of the Jordan. Moses agrees if they help conquer the land first.
  33. 33Numbers 33A record of Israel’s journey stages from Egypt to Moab, and the command to drive out the Canaanites.
  34. 34Numbers 34The boundaries of the promised land, and the leaders who will divide it.
  35. 35Numbers 35Towns for the Levites, and cities of refuge where someone who killed by accident could flee.
  36. 36Numbers 36Women who inherit land must marry within their tribe so the land stays with the tribe.