• Third book written by Moses; means
“ pertaining to the Levites .”
• Records the work of the Levites appointed to serve in the tabernacle.
• Events and laws contained in the book transpired during Israel’s encampment at
Mount Sinai.

• Contains laws regulating:
– Several different types of offerings (burnt, meal, peace, sin, and trespass)
– Priests’ functions during each offering
– Priests’ portion of the offerings
– Clean and unclean animals
– Purification of women
– Handling leprosy cases
– Observing the Day of Atonement
– Other annual festivals

• There are few important historical events:
– Moses consecrated Aaron and his sons for the priesthood.
– Aaron offered sacrifices for the people.
– Nadab and Abihu offered “ strange fire.
” (10:1-3)
– God intended for Israel to closely follow His instructions.
– Day of Atonement (16)
– Sin of Eleazar and Ithamar (11:12-20)
– Laws concerning uses of blood (10)
– Penalty for worshipping false gods (20)

• Fourth book of the Bible. In the Hebrew
Bible, “ in the wilderness.
”
• History of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. The people were numbered at both the beginning and the end.
• As the book opens, Israel is still encamped around Mount Sinai, where they’ve been for nearly two years.

• They numbered the men who could fight. In just a few months, they would begin to take the
Promised Land .
• There were 603,550.
( Numbers 1 )
• The Levites were not included because they ministered in the tabernacle.
• Established procedures for organized camping
(2)
• The book also contains a number of God’s laws.

• Numbers contains laws regulating:
– Redemption of the firstborn
– The Levites duties during the moving of the tabernacle
– Uncleanness
– Trespasses and restitution
– Suspicion of adultery
– The Nazarite vow
– Purification of the Levites
– Keeping the Passover

• At Taberah , some of the Israelites murmured against Moses.
(11)
• At Kibroth-hattaavah, they complained about not having meat to eat; Moses became discouraged at their complaining.
• 70 elders were appointed to help Moses.
• God sent them quail—so many that it became loathsome to them!
• God also sent a plague against them.

• At Hazeroth , Moses’ brother and sister
(Aaron and Miriam) spoke against him because he had married a Cushite woman
(12)
• They wanted to play a greater role in Israel’s
Government.
• God struck Miriam with leprosy for 7 days!
• God chose Moses, and that should have been clear to Aaron and Miriam .

• While they are at Kadesh , in the wilderness of Paran, Moses sends out 12 spies to survey the land. (13)
• They are gone for forty days.
• They bring back two reports.
– The men in the land are too mighty for us.
– The land is meat for us; let’s take it!
• Only Caleb and Joshua trusted in and believed God. (14)

• The people cry all night; they want to choose new leaders. (14)
• Refuse to march against the Canaanites.
• God sent a swift reply—He decreed a 40year period of wilderness wandering, one year for every day the spies were gone.
• All who were 20 and older when they left
Egypt, except Joshua and Caleb, would die!
– Numbers 14:28-32

• People see their mistake and try to organize a group to invade Canaan; others seek to return to Egypt. Both attempts fail! (15)
• 250 priests, under Korah’s direction, rebel and seek more authority. (16)
• The earth swallows them up, and a plague kills an additional 14,700 .
• Budding of Aaron rod confirms God’s choice.
(17)

• Miriam dies and is buried in Kadesh. (20)
• Later, moving to Meribah, the people again murmur about drinking water. (20)
• God instructs Moses and Aaron to speak to a rock to bring forth water; they smite the rock and take credit away from God.
• Because of their disobedience , God denies Moses and Aaron entrance into the Promised Land. (20)

• Moses requests passage through Edom; it is denied, so Israel marches around Edom.
• Aaron dies on Mount Hor; his son Eleazar is appointed High Priest. (20:22-29) Canaanites takes some Israelites captive, but Israel defeats them.
• The people again murmur against God and
Moses!

• God sends fiery serpents. Many people are bitten and die. (21)
• The people confess their sins and ask that the serpents be removed.
• God tells Moses to place a bronze serpent on a pole; those who look on it will live!
• Foreshadows Jesus’ death on the cross.

• Israel seeks permission to march through the territory belonging to Sihon, king of the
Amorites. (21)
• When Sihon rejects their request, Israel fights with him and is victorious.
• They march to Bashan where Og, the king, attacks them.
• Israel defeats Og and encamps on the plains of Moab ready to enter into Canaan. (21:33-
35)