NUM

Numbers 1 - Summary

Original Summary

Read Numbers Chapter 1 Summary

God commands a census of all men twenty years and older able to go to war, conducted by Moses, Aaron, and a leader from each tribe. The twelve tribes are numbered, excluding Levi, totaling 603,550 men of military age, representing the fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham for numerous descendants. The Levites are exempted from the military census because they are appointed to care for the tabernacle and camp around it as guardians.

Original

Characters in This Chapter

Places in This Chapter

Position in Book

Preparation at SinaiChapters 1-10

Census of the tribes, organization of the camp, Levitical duties, laws of purity, and departure from Sinai.

Journey to KadeshChapters 11-12
Failure at Kadesh BarneaChapters 13-14
Wilderness WanderingsChapters 15-19
Journey to MoabChapters 20-21
Events in MoabChapters 22-25
Preparation for CanaanChapters 26-36

Bible Bites

Why 'Numbers' Got Its Name

The book of Numbers is named for the two censuses of Israel—one at Mount Sinai counting 603,550 fighting men and another in Moab nearly 40 years later. The Hebrew title 'Bemidbar' means 'in the wilderness.'

Numbers