Numbers

Forty years in the wilderness

Numbers follows Israel from Sinai to the edge of Canaan during forty years in the wilderness. The name comes from the two censuses of the people; in between come rebellions, judgments and God’s faithfulness.

Historical context

Jewish and Christian tradition attributes the first five books of the Bible to Moses. Many scholars think they gathered older traditions and reached their final form around the exile and after it (6th–5th centuries BC).

Explanation

Best-known passages

The priestly blessing (ch. 6)
The twelve spies (ch. 13–14)
The bronze serpent (ch. 21)
Balaam and the donkey (ch. 22–24)