by Stephen Rodgers
NUMBERS IN 10 WORDS OR LESS
“Faithless Israelites wander forty years in the wilderness of Sinai.”
TITLE
The English title “Numbers” comes from the Greek word (Arithmoi) meaning “numbers,” (referring to the census and numberings of chapters 1-4 and 26) whereas the Hebrew title is derived from the books’s very first word (bemidbar), translated “in the wilderness.” (Num 1:1)
As previously mentioned, it is sometimes referred to as the “Fourth Book of Moses.”
AUTHOR & AUDIENCE
Both Jewish and Christian traditions attribute the five books of the Pentateuch primarily to Moses. Like Leviticus, Numbers makes explicit claims regarding Mosaic authorship (Num 33:2; 36:13).
Furthermore, both the OT (Num 33:2; Jos 8:31; 1Ki 2:3; 2Ki 14:6; Ezr 6:18; Neh 13:1; Dan 9:11,13; Mal 4:4) and the NT (Matt 8:4;Mk 12:26; Lk 16:29; 24:27, 44; Jn 5:46; 7:22; Ac 15:1; Ro 10:19; 1Co 9:9; 2Co 3:15) credit Moses as the author of the Pentateuch.
For more information, see the “Author and Composition” section of the Pentateuch article.
The original audience were the Israelites who survived the desert wanderings, and their descendants. Later generations would read it to remind themselves of God’s faithfulness to His people.
DATE
Depending on whether one subscribes to an early (ca. 1,446 BC) or late (ca. 1,260 BC) date of the Exodus would determine the time during which Numbers was written (after the Exodus but prior to Moses’ death). (It should be noted that while good arguments have been put forth in favor of both dates, the majority of scholars surveyed for this series tended to favor an early date).
Given the internal dates supplied in Numbers, we also know that Numbers was written during the final year of Moses’ life.
BACKGROUND & SETTING
Most of the events of the book of Numbers are set “in the wilderness” as the name suggests. Because of their sin, complaining, and lack of trust in the LORD, God condemns them to wander in the desert until the present generation dies off. Numbers 1:1-14:45 records events that took place the year following the Exodus; Numbers 20:1 and following takes place 37-38 years later. Numbers 15:1-19:22 are undated, but probably took place in the intervening time period. The lack of material associate with this period (compared with the other years of the journey from Egypt to Canaan) communicates how utterly wasted these years were because of Israel’s rebellion.
HISTORICAL & THEOLOGICAL THEMES
In broad terms, Numbers deals with three themes: 1) God’s mercy and faithfulness, 2) God’s justice, and 3) Hope.
- We continually see God guiding (Num 9:17) and comforting His people as He offers them forgiveness and reconciliation. Their rebellions and unfaithfulness are contrasted with His ever faithful love for His own (Num 14:18).
- Complaining (Num 11:1-12:16; 21:1-22:1) and rebellion (at both Kadesh and Peor) are followed by judgment and punishment.
- Although followed by judgment and punishment, rebellions are also followed by repentance and renewed hope and obedience. Ultimately, God does not leave His people to wander in the desert, but remembers His promise and brings them to the border of the Promised Land. Despite their disobedience, His plan and will cannot be thwarted.
LITERARY FEATURES
Numbers as a book falls into the overall genre of historical chronicle. However, the specific structure of the book is divided into sections of narrative interspersed with sections of laws and regulations. Such sections should not be viewed as an interuption to the story, but rather seen as expressing religious truths in a visual form. Remember that as a theocracy, one cannot entirely separate religious ritual and practice from political governance. In that way, even those rituals serve to further illustrate the narrative portions as complementary material.
INTERPRETIVE CHALLENGES
There are a number of challenges that are presented by the book of Numbers. The most often cited include 1) whether Numbers is coherent as a part of the Pentateuch, 2) whether Numbers is coherent in and of itself, 2) mathematical issues posed by the reported number of fighting men in Israel, and 3) how to responsibly handle the passages that relate to the false prophet Balaam.
- I have already briefly addressed the issue that the Pentateuch should be considered a single collection of work by a singular author (admittedly with minor revisions and glosses that are widely recognized) rather than a collection of writings compiled at a later date. While Numbers can seem like something of a deparature from the other books of Moses, it should be noted that the author assumes the events (and knowledge of the events) described in Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus. There is no additional explanation of the LORD, Moses, the Law, the tabernacle, or the Exodus from Egypt. (Furthermore, see the chart in the ESV Study Bible labelled “Parallels between Exodus and Numbers” for additional similarities and ties).
- Some scholars have suggested that Numbers is not a coherrant work. However, an examination of the book itself clearly shows that the 1st generation of Israel (Num 1:1-25:18) is contrasted with the 2nd generation of Israel (Num 26:1-36:13). Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the book has a distinct beginning, middle, and end from a chronological point of view.
- I will address this in greater detail in the OBJECTIONS section below.
- Numbers 22:2-24:25 records the rather strange tale of the heathen prophet Balaam. On an initial reading, Balaam can be a confusing figure, particularly because while he claims to know the LORD (Num 22:18) and even communicates with Him (Num 22:20), God is later shown to be angry with him for going on the very trip that He seemingly gave Balaam permission to take (along the way, there’s a talking donkey, but that’s another issue)! Balaam then goes on to deliver a true prophecy given to him by God himself…only to have Scripture identify him repeatedly as a false prophet (Deut 23:3-6; Jos 13:22; 24:9,10; Neh 13:1-3; Mic 6:5; 2 Pet 2:15,16; Jude 11: Rev 2:14). Meinolf Mellwig once described this as an occasion where “you’re not sure how you’re supposed to feel about someone until you read later in the Bible.” For now, suffice to say that Balaam was a false prophet who the LORD used to speak true words.
OBJECTIONS
The ESV Study Bible (“The Large Numbers in the Pentateuch”) does an excellent job of treating this subject, but I want to briefly sketch an outline for you in support of a literal reading of the numbers.
When taken literally the numbers of the Israelite militia total 603,550 in the first census and 601,730 in the second census, which would seem to imply a total population of 2 to 3 million. Critical scholars have challenged this interpretation by pointing out a number of alleged external and internal problems.
External problems include the inability of the Sinai region to support that many people (explained by God’s miraculous provision), and the lack of archaelogical evidence that such a group ever occupied the region (explained by the fact that such ANE nomadic cultures typically left little to no trace to begin with).
Internal problems include the issue of the firstborn and the problem of small subsequent armies, which I will describe in more detail below:
- Given that Numbers 1:46 and 2:32 would seem to indicate a total male population of approximately 1 million, and that Numbers 3:43 tells us there were 22,273 firstborn, initial calculations might lead us to believe that the average family contained…40-50 males. That seems odd. A more likely explanation (that still is in keeping with the text) is that the firstborn males are those who were born after the Exodus but before the census. Assuming a likely demographic breakdown of the 603,550 males (in terms of age) along with a plausible marriage rate would account for that number without issue.
- The problem of small subsequent armies deals with the issue that despite this enormous number of troops, later records indicate smaller numbers of soldiers: 40,000 (Jos 4:13; Jdg 5:8), and 30,000 (Jos 8:3). Such discrepancies can be explained by the fact that in some cases Scripture records that their commanders were unpopular (Jdg 4:8), that forces were kept in reserve for guard duty and defensive actions, and/or that commanders only deployed as many men as they deemed as necessary to accomplish their objectives.
Furthermore, other portions of Scripture seem to support a literal understanding of the numbers (Ex 12:37; Ex 38:26) and we know from archealogoy that Pharaoh Merneptah encountered Israel as a significant people around 1230 BC.
NOTABLE QUOTABLES
- Numbers 14:18
- Numbers 23:23
DID YOU KNOW?
- A mysterious punctuation mark called an “inverted nun” appears only in Numbers and in Psalms. It’s precise meaning is unclear.
Other Works Referenced
