Guide
What Is the Book of Numbers?
ca. 1200–332 BCE
Restricted
Wilderness Journeys
Numbers is the fourth book of the Torah, the first section of the Jewish Bible. The book begins with the Israelites encamped at Mount Sinai and chronicles their journey through the wilderness to the land of Canaan. Much of the book consists of narrative, but it also includes laws on a wide range of topics, including family and inheritance, purity and sacrifice, and Sabbath and festival observance.
Related Primary Sources
Primary Source
In the Wilderness
Exodus 16|Numbers 11–24 (selections)
Exodus
Chapter 16Setting out from Elim, the whole Israelite community came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their…
Chapter 16Setting out from Elim, the whole Israelite community came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their…
Primary Source
The Levites
Numbers 3:5–10
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Advance the tribe of Levi and place them in attendance upon Aaron the priest to serve him. They shall perform duties for him and for the whole community before the…
Primary Source
The Nazirite
Numbers 6:1–8
The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the Israelites and say to them: If anyone, man or woman, explicitly utters a nazirite’s vow, to set himself apart for the Lord, he shall abstain from wine…
Primary Source
Fringes
Numbers 15:37–41
The Lord said to Moses as follows: Speak to the Israelite people and instruct them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments throughout the ages; let them attach a cord of…
Primary Source
Asylum Cities
Numbers 35:9–34
The Lord spoke further to Moses: Speak to the Israelite people and say to them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, you shall provide yourselves with places to serve you as cities…
Primary Source
A Ruling about Deferring Passover
Numbers 9:1–14
The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, on the first new moon of the second year following the exodus from the land of Egypt, saying: Let the Israelite people offer the passover…
Primary Source
A Ruling about Collecting Wood on the Sabbath
Numbers 15:32–36
Once, when the Israelites were in the wilderness, they came upon a man gathering wood on the sabbath day. Those who found him as he was gathering wood brought him before Moses, Aaron, and the…
Primary Source
A Ruling about Inheritance by Daughters
Numbers 27:1–11|36:1–12
The daughters of Zelophehad, of Manassite family—son of Hepher son of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh son of Joseph—came forward. The names of the daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah…
Primary Source
Israelite Songs in Numbers 22
Numbers 21:17–18, 27–30
The Israelites sang songs at a desert well and following their settlement in Heshbon.
Primary Source
The Priestly Blessing
Numbers 6:22–27
The Priestly Blessing in Numbers is the earliest known biblical passage to be cited outside the Bible.
Primary Source
The Adjuration of the Suspected Adulteress
Numbers 5:11–31
The Torah instructs a man who suspects his wife of adultery to bring her to the priests and test her with the bitter waters.
Primary Source
The Israelite Census in Numbers
Numbers 1
Moses and Aaron conduct a census of the Israelites as they prepare to depart Mount Sinai for their journey to the Promised Land.
Primary Source
The Arrangement of the Israelite Camp
Numbers 2
The Israelite tribes are arranged in a specific order in their camp during the wilderness years.
Primary Source
The Itinerary in the Wilderness
Numbers 33
The Israelites stop at a series of locations during their migration to the Promised Land.
Primary Source
Festival Calendar and Offerings
Numbers 28:1–30:1
The Israelites are commanded to observe certain festival days and to offer sacrifices on them.