Read numbers 21 commentary using commentary critical and explanatory on the whole bible. The book of numbers is a law book in the old testament section of the bible. Numbers is so named because a census of israel is taken twice in the book. Watch our overview video on the book of numbers, which breaks down. Although the arrangement of some is obvious, others are not and require indepth bible study. Many times, people in search of some hidden meanings of numbers of bible do not understand that certain numbers mentioned in the holy book are just numbers. An essential key to understanding gods word and its design is through the meaning of biblical numbers.
But those who study the book may be surprised to discover it teaches many spiritual principles and lessons. Im always curious to understand the meaning behind words and numbers in the bible, i think its a fascinating study. It is called a book of moses because it contains the story of moses and the israelites when they wander throughout the wilderness before ending up at israel also known as canaan or palestine, where god promised they will settle the promised land. I had heard the author do a detailed presentation of numbers in scripture and it was excellent. Its a book of history that records many of gods miraculous deeds as the israelites wandered in the wilderness. In numbers, israel travels through the wilderness on the way to the land. This is the fourth book in the pentateuch, the first five books of the bible. Biblical numerology is defined as the study of the spiritual significance of numbers used in the bible. The importance of the book of numbers is indicated by its being referred to in the new testament many times. The israelites disobedience and lack of faith caused god to make them wander in the desert until all the people of that generation had diedwith a few important exceptions. To fillin the historical period from the exodus and sinai revelation to the preparations in moab to enter the promised land. Feb 05, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of numbers, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Because the book is dominated with scenes of failure and defeat, these expressions of belief in the lord shine a bit brighter then they would otherwise.
Not counting the faith of moses throughout the book, the most notable event regarding faith is that of joshua and caleb in numbers 14. Numbers summary we have detailed a brief summary of the book of numbers for bible study or sunday school lessons. Learn what the bible teaches in the book of numbers. The book of numbers is largely narrative history as far as its genre. Numbers teaches the emerging generation to learn from the faithlessness of the previous generation, but to do so with understanding and without a judgmental attitude.
Introduction to numbers bible commentary theology of work. Yahweh will soon command joshua to commission joshua as his successor 27. Even in their rebellion, god continues to show his incredible love and provision for them. This summary of the book of numbers provides information about the title. The book has a long and complex history, but its final form is probably due to a priestly redaction. Most of the events of the book of numbers take place in the wilderness, between the second and fortieth years of the wandering of the israelites. A proper understanding of numbers is possible through the application of basic guidelines for the proper interpretation of all scripture. It reminds believers of the spiritual warfare in which they are engaged, for numbers is the book of the service and walk of gods people. The number is especially significant in the book of revelation, as 666 identifies the beast. Numbers 25 moab seduces israel while israel was bible.
As it does for the rest of the pentateuch, universal jewish and christian tradition attributes the authorship of the book of numbers to moses. Study scripture verses with commentary, concordances, and use highlighting, underlining, take notes in the bible. Instead, these study guides focus on understanding the message and meaning of one book at a time. I learned about the meaning of bible numbers several years ago.
Understanding the bible book of numbers part 6 youtube. Remember, the meaning of numbers in the bible is not perfect, but the meaning of the written word is always perfect. The book of numbers becomes a warning and encouragement for us to follow god and trust his good plan for his people. Others are troubled by the seemingly blatant misogyny. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast.
It shows us gods people, israel, struggling to work in accordance with gods purposes in challenging times. Many regard it as if it were some bizarre and ridiculous process lying somewhere between a superstitious magical ceremony, a jeremy kyle paternity test, and a monty python trial by ordeal. Consider these examples of the symbolic meaning of numbers in the bible. The first 5 book of the bible, called the law, of which numbers is the fourth, are ascribed to moses throughout scripture joshua 8. Find resources here on the books of the bible that will add value to your personal study of the greatest book ever written. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the law of moses, also known as the torah or pentateuch. It continues the story of that journey begun in exodus, and describes briefly the experiences of the israelites for a. The bible must be discerned and interpreted spiritually. Their connections and patterns, when we search them out and understand them, reveal the handiwork of god.
Dig into the word and become a bible expert with amazing. Study the bible online using commentary on numbers 21 and more. It is called a book of moses because it contains the story of moses and the israelites when they wander throughout the wilderness before ending up at israel also known as canaan or palestine, where god. For example, jewish cabalists have analyzed the hebrew scriptures using a technique called gematria, which looks for a hidden code in the numerical equivalents of letters. Watch our overview video on the book of numbers, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. It is called a book of moses because it contains the story of moses and the israelites when they wander throughout the wilderness before ending up at israel also known as canaan or palestine, where god promised they will settle. Numbers with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Essentially, the husband and wife would come to the priest, the priest would then create a concoction of unpleasant. The law includes the books of genesis, exodus, leviticus, numbers, and deuteronomy. They contain gods instructions about how his people should live. Onkelos on the torah understanding the bible text numbers english and hebrew edition israel drazin, stanley m. In numbers, israel travels through the wilderness on.
The book of numbers in the bible is the fourth book in the old testament. The book is basically the sacred history of the israelites as they wandered in the wilderness following the departure from s. To understand the book of revelation, we need the same things that help us to understand the rest of the bible, including wisdom from god and assistance from those who already understand it. At first glance, the name numbers may not sound appealing and interesting.
Onkelos on the torah understanding the bible text numbers. A pagan prophet is hired to curse israel, but he only hears words of blessing from god. Regardless of your background, gods message in the bible is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away. The hebrew name for these books is the torah, which means law. And what significance does each book have as it relates to the whole.
The good book, as it has been called, is gods guide book to lifefor all to read. Learn about faith and rebellion in the book of numbers. Its a historical account but also teaches important lessons about god fulfilling his. Biblical numerology is the use of numbers for their symbolic value in biblical texts for example, the seven days of creation in genesis 1 while many ancient languages, religions, and philosophies contained numeric interpretation of events, words, and names, this article is concerned with those uniquely affecting judeochristian beliefs. Numbers, hebrew bemidbar in the wilderness, also called the fourth book of moses, the fourth book of the bible. Numbers was written to the people of israel to document their journey to the promised land, but it also reminds all future readers of the bible that. I wanted a book that would lead me to the numbers of each letter, each word, and what each number stood for. The purpose of the book of numbers is to tell about how israel prepared to enter the promise land, but sinned and was punished. King arad the canaaniterather, the canaanite king of aradan ancient town on the southernmost borders of palestine, not far from kadesh. An introduction to the book of numbers from the bible jack wellman. The bible itself provides many of the keys to understanding it. The message of the book of numbers, is universal and timeless.
The books of the bible is the first presentation of an unabridged committee translation of the bible to remove chapter and verse numbers entirely and instead present the biblical books according to their natural literary structures. Essentially, the husband and wife would come to the priest, the priest would then. These symbolic meanings of numbers in the bible are different from numerology, which involves looking for an occult meaning in numbers, their combinations, and numerical totals. The understanding the books of the bible series doesnt do that. Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the word of god in order to refocus ones mind and heart upon christ and his gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire bible in a year. To explain that the 38 year period in the wilderness was a consequence for the unbelief of the older generation dt 1. The author of this book does not deal with the hebrew language numbers, but only the numbers given in the bible, which is not the same thing. Book of numbers simple english wikipedia, the free. This is a project that has been on my mind for over four and a half years outlining all the books of the bible, from genesis to revelation. The book of numbers begins with the words and the lord spake unto moses in the wilderness of sinai, in the tabernacle of the congregation, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they were come out of the land of egypt. Jan 02, 2020 the theme of the holiness of god is continued from the book of leviticus into the book of numbers, which reveals gods instruction and preparation of his people to enter the promised land of canaan. It is the story of the people whom moses led through the desert. This list of biblical numbers and meanings is by no means exhaustive. Numbers 25 new international version niv moab seduces israel.
A literal understanding of the numbers in the census is in congruence with pharaohs fear of the. The book of numbers is the fourth book of the hebrew bible, and the fourth of five books of the jewish torah. Key personalities include moses, aaron, miriam, joshua, caleb, eleazar, korah, and balaam. Most of the events of the book are set in the wilderness. Boyle leads a class on understanding the bible through the book of numbers. The book draws its name from the census made of the people, a necessary step toward their organization and future government. The english title is a translation of the septuagint greek title referring to the numbering of the tribes of israel in chapters 14. The book of leviticus as well as the book of numbers follow immediately after the book of exodus. It is provided to give a basic understanding of patterns that reveal what these numbers. This incident takes place near the end of moses life and the conclusion of israels wandering in the wilderness. Moses counted the people in numbers 1 and numbers 26. The context usually indicates whether a particular number is used as a symbol. Numbers is a historical book, whose name refers to the two censuses which were taken to number the people.
The book of numbers was written between 1440 and 1400 b. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods. God responds with shortterm severity and longterm generosity as he leads them into the promised land. Jul 20, 2015 remember, the meaning of numbers in the bible is not perfect, but the meaning of the written word is always perfect. Book of numbers overview insight for living ministries.
It begins at mount sinai where the nation of israel. Introduction to the book of numbers learn religions. Moses is the central figure within the book, and in at least two instances numbers mentions him recording events by the lords commands numbers 33. Kjv search results for understanding blue letter bible. Numbers old testament britannica encyclopedia britannica. It is provided to give a basic understanding of patterns that reveal what these numbers represent. Understanding the book of numbers the book of numbers may be viewed as a transitional work describing the period between the arrival at sinai with the giving of the ten commandments and the law along with the establishment of the priesthood and the actual entry of. Numbers might be a bleak account of the israelites stubbornness if it were not outweighed by gods faithfulness and protection. Jul, 2018 then the book turns a corner with the new generations census num. Insights on the bible an overview of the books of the. Book of numbers simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The first 5 books in the bible are called the 5 books of moses.
Divisions of the bible 66 great books from godall scripture is given by inspiration of god 2 timothy 3. Augustine, sir isaac newton, leonardo da vinci and many others have tried to decipher the hidden meanings of the biblical numbers. Ive often heard what various numbers mean, and i can remember the meaning of some numbers, like 7, easily. The book of numbers derives its name from the account of the two censuses taken of the hebrew people, one near the beginning and the other toward the end of the journey in the wilderness chaps. Oct 23, 2010 5 keys to understanding the book of numbers used with permission by.
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