Fourth book of the bible, covering most of the 40 years that Israel spent in the desert.
3
votes
1answer
47 views
Whose idea was it to send the spies to scout the land of Israel?
In Numbers 13 we are told that God commanded Moshe to sends the twelve spies to scout out the land:
1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
2 'Send thou men, that they may spy out the land of ...
13
votes
5answers
150 views
Why is the Bible so repetitive?
Some pieces of the Bible are repeated (several times even) without changes. Let's look at the book of Leviticus, especially chapters 13-16, which concerns laws about leprosy, mold, and bodily ...
2
votes
1answer
37 views
How is Deut. 2:29 reconciled with Num. 20:18-21?
After the Exodus, and prior to the conquest of Sihon and Og, Israel attempted to pass through Edom. (The Edomites were the descendents of Esau.) Numbers 20:18-21 records Edom's response as follows:
...
6
votes
1answer
83 views
What does it mean to be a Nazarite?
In Numbers 6, God gives the rules for being a Nazarite. This person is set apart for service to God. There are rules they must follow and actions they must take or refrain from.
They must not eat or ...
9
votes
2answers
112 views
How strong was Midian's army?
When Israel took vengeance on Midian they sent 12,000 troops (Numbers 31:4) and prevailed:
אֶלֶף, לַמַּטֶּה, אֶלֶף, לַמַּטֶּה--לְכֹל מַטּוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל, תִּשְׁלְחוּ לַצָּבָא.
Of every tribe a ...
1
vote
1answer
36 views
Red Heifer or Heifer of Soil
How could we know if
פרה אדמה
in Num 19:2 refers either to
a red cow (parah edumah)
vs a cow of the soil (parah adamah)?
I would like someone to analyse the issue morphologically, ...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
Why does the KJV translate Num. 11:25 as “and did not cease”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Understanding Numbers 11:25
Numbers 11:25 (KJV):
And the LORD came down in a cloud, and spake unto him, and took of the spirit that [was] upon him, and gave [it] ...
6
votes
1answer
93 views
Did Moses need a human guide in the wilderness?
In the wilderness, the Israelites were guided by a cloud, spelt out with great emphasis in Numbers 9:
17And whenever the cloud lifted from over the tent, after that the people of Israel set out, ...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
What exactly did Moses do wrong at Meribah?
We read that God commanded Moses to speak to the rock at Meribah so that water could flow out of it. Instead, Moses struck the rock with his staff:
Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly ...
2
votes
2answers
63 views
Who was taken captive in Numbers 21:1?
And the Canaanite, the king of Arad, who dwelt in the South, heard tell that Israel came by the way of Atharim; and he fought against Israel, and took some of them captive.—Numbers 21:1 (JPS)
...
3
votes
1answer
267 views
Why was the priestly exam of a woman suspected of adultery not applied to men (Numbers 5:11-31)?
In the book of Numbers, there is a very interesting test for a woman suspected of committing adultery. After some initial discussion, if the woman refuses to admit her sin, or is innocent, the priest ...
11
votes
5answers
4k views
Why did the tabernacle use the colors blue, purple and scarlet?
I see a lot of blue in the tabernacle, and when moving it. For example:
Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather, spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in ...
0
votes
1answer
51 views
Who are the brothers in Numbers 14:4?
Numbers 14:4 states that a man says to his brother that they should appoint a new head (of the Israelites) and return to Egypt. Who are these two brothers? And, if this is just a turn of phrase, why ...
8
votes
2answers
126 views
Was Balaam a true follower of Yahweh?
The idea that Balaam may have been a true follower (or even prophet) of Yahweh seems troubling on a number of fronts:
How could there be a pre-Mosaic Yahweh-worshipper living near the Euphrates (Num ...
7
votes
2answers
264 views
Why did God “change His mind” with Balaam?
There are so many interesting questions regarding the account of Balaam in Numbers 22-24. But for now, let me focus on the one that is most puzzling to me: Why did the Lord seem to "waffle" in His ...
7
votes
3answers
475 views
How many people were involved in the Exodus?
According to Numbers 1:20-46 (NJPS):
They totaled as follows:
The descendants of Reuben, Israel’s first-born, the registration of the clans of their ancestral house, as listed by name, head by ...
15
votes
2answers
343 views
Understanding Numbers 11:25
As I am studying, I have encountered different renderings of the last phrase in this verse, which describes the prophesying of the seventy elders of Israel after the Spirit was placed on them. An ...
