Numbers Old Testament

Introduction

The Hebrew title for this book (B^emiḏbār) is translated “in the wilderness,” while the Greek title (Arithmoi, think “arithmetic”) is translated as “numbers.” In our estimation, the Hebrew title captures the major contents of the book better, because there is more narrative in this book compared to Leviticus and Deuteronomy, and much of it relates to the 40 year Wilderness Wandering.

Authorship of Numbers

Numbers claims to be written by Moses (Num. 1:1; 33:2), and “nearly every section begins ‘The Lord spoke to Moses’ or with some similar remark.” Furthermore, the account gives clear, eyewitness details. For a list of historically confirmed details in Numbers, see Gordon Wenham, Numbers (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1981), pp.27-29.

The NT authors allude to Numbers (Acts 7, 13; 1 Cor. 10:1-11; Heb. 3), and Jesus himself referred to serpent in the wilderness in Numbers 21:9 (Jn. 3:14). For more on the authorship of Numbers, see our earlier article titled “Authorship of the Pentateuch.”

Themes in Numbers

The battle for belief. The Israelites forfeited God’s promise because they were so focused on the size and ferocity of the Canaanites. They refused to walk into the promises that God had given them. Archer writes, “It was not the size of their army that mattered, but only the size of their faith.”

The importance of the land. While Exodus focuses on God’s deliverance from Pharaoh and Leviticus focuses on the worship of God, Numbers focuses on the land promises given to Israel.

God’s rest. Multiple NT authors refer to the failure of faith as a missed opportunity to experience God’s rest (1 Cor. 10:1-10; Heb. 3:7-4:13; Jude 5, 8, 11).