numbers book of

1 definition found

numbers book of - Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary :

  Numbers, Book of
  the fourth of the books of the Pentateuch, called in the Hebrew
  be-midbar, i.e., "in the wilderness." In the LXX. version it is
  called "Numbers," and this name is now the usual title of the
  book. It is so called because it contains a record of the
  numbering of the people in the wilderness of Sinai (1-4), and of
  their numbering afterwards on the plain of Moab (26).
  
    This book is of special historical interest as furnishing us
  with details as to the route of the Israelites in the wilderness
  and their principal encampments. It may be divided into three
  parts:
  
    1. The numbering of the people at Sinai, and preparations for
  their resuming their march (1-10:10). The sixth chapter gives an
  account of the vow of a Nazarite.
  
    2. An account of the journey from Sinai to Moab, the sending
  out of the spies and the report they brought back, and the
  murmurings (eight times) of the people at the hardships by the
  way (10:11-21:20).
  
    3. The transactions in the plain of Moab before crossing the
  Jordan (21:21-ch. 36).
  
    The period comprehended in the history extends from the second
  month of the second year after the Exodus to the beginning of
  the eleventh month of the fortieth year, in all about
  thirty-eight years and ten months; a dreary period of
  wanderings, during which that disobedient generation all died in
  the wilderness. They were fewer in number at the end of their
  wanderings than when they left the land of Egypt. We see in this
  history, on the one hand, the unceasing care of the Almighty
  over his chosen people during their wanderings; and, on the
  other hand, the murmurings and rebellions by which they offended
  their heavenly Protector, drew down repeated marks of his
  displeasure, and provoked him to say that they should "not enter
  into his rest" because of their unbelief (Heb. 3:19).
  
    This, like the other books of the Pentateuch, bears evidence
  of having been written by Moses.
  
    The expression "the book of the wars of the Lord," occurring
  in 21:14, has given rise to much discussion. But, after all,
  "what this book was is uncertain, whether some writing of Israel
  not now extant, or some writing of the Amorites which contained
  songs and triumphs of their king Sihon's victories, out of which
  Moses may cite this testimony, as Paul sometimes does out of
  heathen poets (Acts 17:28; Titus 1:12)."