Numbers

Definition and Meaning

Numbers is the fourth book of the Old Testament and belongs to the Pentateuch. It contains thirty-six chapters. Its Korean name, Minsugi (民數記), means "record of the counting of the people." The name derives from the title Arithmoi ("Numbers") in the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament), which refers to the two censuses recorded in chapters 1 and 26. The Hebrew Bible calls the book Bemidbar ("In the Wilderness"), after a word in its first verse.

Biblical and Historical Background

Numbers continues the narrative of Exodus and Leviticus. It covers Israel's life in the wilderness from the departure from Mount Sinai to the arrival on the plains of Moab, on the eve of the entry into Canaan. Its principal contents include the following:

• The arrangement of the camp, regulations for service at the tabernacle, and the Nazirite vow (ch. 6)
• The episode of the twelve spies and the sentence of wandering in the wilderness because of unbelief (chs. 13–14)
• The rebellion of Korah (ch. 16) and Aaron's rod that budded (ch. 17)
• The bronze serpent (ch. 21)
• Balaam and his prophecies (chs. 22–24)
• The census of the new generation and preparations for the division of the land of Canaan (chs. 26–36)

The New Testament also draws on Numbers. John 3:14 compares the bronze serpent to the Son of Man, who must be lifted up. 1 Corinthians 10 and Hebrews 3–4 present the disobedience of the wilderness generation as a warning.

Views on authorship differ. Judaism and the church have traditionally regarded Moses as the author, and conservative denominations and seminaries in Korea generally follow this view. Scholars who adopt historical criticism (a method that studies the historical process by which a text was formed) regard the book as a compilation of various sources and traditions edited over a long period.

Practice in the Korean Church

• Prayers of blessing: The Aaronic Blessing of Numbers 6:24–26 ("The LORD bless thee, and keep thee…") is widely used in prayers of blessing and in the lyrics of hymns and worship songs. The benediction that concludes worship in Korean churches is usually based on 2 Corinthians 13:14 (13:13 in Korean Bibles), but some churches use this passage for the blessing in certain services.
• Preaching: Israel's life in the wilderness is a frequent sermon theme, serving as an image of the journey of faith. Joshua and Caleb, who, unlike the other spies, looked upon the land of Canaan with faith (14:6–9), are often cited as examples of faith.
• Bible reading: Because of its lengthy census lists and sacrificial regulations, Numbers is often considered one of the more difficult books in reading through the Bible. For this reason, some reading guides and study materials direct readers to follow the book's flow by focusing on its narrative sections.