Law · Old Testament

Numbers

c. 1445–1406 BC

Section: Law · Old Testament
Events span: c. 1445–1406 BC
Written: c. 1446–1406 BC critical view: c. 950–500 BC, compiled from earlier sources
Author: Moses critical view: Composite — the J, E, and P sources

Numbers follows Israel from Mount Sinai to the edge of the promised land — two censuses bracketing forty years of wandering caused by their unbelief. A faithless generation dies in the wilderness while God patiently preserves the nation for its future.

Key themes

Wilderness wandering
Grumbling and rebellion
God's faithfulness despite unbelief
The consequences of sin
A new generation

Key events

At Sinai: Census & Preparation (Numbers 1–10)

A census numbers Israel's fighting men; the tribes camp around the tabernacle Num 1–2c. 1445 BC
The Levites are set apart for service; the Nazirite vow and Aaron's blessing are given Num 3–6c. 1445 BC
Israel keeps the second Passover and sets out from Sinai, following the cloud Num 9–10c. 1445 BC

Rebellion in the Wilderness (Numbers 11–25)

The people complain; God sends fire and quail and appoints seventy elders Num 11c. 1445 BC
Miriam and Aaron oppose Moses, and Miriam is struck with leprosy Num 12c. 1445 BC
Twelve spies scout Canaan; ten give a fearful report and Israel refuses to enter Num 13–14c. 1445 BC
God condemns that generation to forty years of wandering until they die in the wilderness Num 14c. 1445 BC
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram rebel against Moses and are swallowed by the earth Num 16c. 1444 BC
Aaron's staff buds, confirming that God chose his priesthood Num 17c. 1444 BC
Moses strikes the rock in anger at Meribah and is barred from the promised land Num 20c. 1407 BC
God sends venomous snakes; Moses lifts up the bronze serpent, and the bitten who look live Num 21c. 1407 BC
Balaam is hired to curse Israel but can only bless them; his donkey rebukes him Num 22–24c. 1407 BC
Israel sins with Moabite women at Peor; Phinehas intervenes and the plague is stopped Num 25c. 1407 BC

A New Generation on the Plains of Moab (Numbers 26–36)

A second census numbers the new generation born in the wilderness Num 26c. 1407 BC
Joshua is appointed as Moses' successor Num 27c. 1407 BC
Israel defeats Midian; the tribes east of the Jordan receive their inheritance Num 31–32c. 1406 BC
The stages of the journey are recorded and the borders of Canaan are set Num 33–34c. 1406 BC

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.”

Numbers 6:24–26 KJV