(9) Subsequent History. Miriam was al ready dead; and the forty years of wandering in the wilderness were accomplished. Israel was again in sight of the Holy Land on the borders of Edom. Then Moses and Aaron also sinned; soon after, Aaron died, and was succeeded by Eleazar. Israel sent ambassadors to the king of Edom to obtain permission to pass through his territory, but was haughtily refused (ch. xx). Everything seemed to be prepared by preceding events already recorded. The dying off of the real emigrants from Egypt might be expected, after the divine decree that this should come to pass, had been mentioned; the unbelief of Moses arose from the protracted duration of the time of punishment, which at length broke his courage; the spirit of Edom arose in overbearing animosity, because it seemed that Jehovah had forsaken his people. It was appointed that Israel should un dergo all this in order that they might grow strong in the Lord. Their strength was soon proved against Arad. They vowed to devote all the cities of the Canaanites to Jehovah, who gave them the victory. They were directed to avoid the boundaries of Edom, and to have Canaan alone in view. The people murmured, and the signifi cant symbol of the serpent was erected before them, reminding them of their ancient sin, and how it had been healed and overcome by Jehovah. In all this Israel is constantly directed to Canaan. They march courageously to the boundaries of the Amorites, singing praises to Jehovah, and, by the power of the Lord, defeat the kings of Heshbon and Bashan (ch. xxi).
In the plains of Moab still greater glory awaits the chosen people. The pagan prophet of Meso potamia, being hired by the king of the Moabites, is overpowered by Jehovah, so that he is com pelled to bless Israel instead of cursing them ; and also directs them to the ancient blessings granted to the patriarchs. The bitterest enemies of the theocracy are here most deeply humbled, being themselves compelled to contribute to the glory of Jehovah (chapters xxii-xxiv). Not the God, but the people of Israel, were dishonored through the devices of Balaam.
The subsequent account concerning the idolatry into which the people were led, forms a striking contrast with the preceding chapters, and evinces the impotence of the Israelites, whose first attack, therefore, was to be directed against their se ducers. This Ivas to be the beginning of the con quest of Canaan, which was essentially a combat against idolatry, and the victory of the kingdom of God over paganism. The conquered country was granted to separate tribes. and for this pur pose the people were once more numbered, and Joshua appointed their leader.
Jehovah reserves his own rights in the distri bution of the country, and Israel is directed not to forget the sacrifices to the Lord, the sabbaths, festivals, and vows; the ordinances concerning which are here briefly repeated, inculcated, and completed.
The people shall certainly gain the victory, but only in strict communion with Jehovah. Thus begins the combat against •Midian, according to the directions of the law, and forming as it were a prototype of the later combats of Israel against pagan powers (chapters xxv-xxxi).
This was the last external work of Moses. Henceforth his eye is directed only to the internal affairs of his people. An entrance has been effected into the country, and the conquered terri tory is divided among two tribes and a half-tribe (ch. xxxii).
Moses reminds the people of Jehovah's guid ance in the wilderness, and of the manner in which the whole land was to be conquered. He com mands the destruction of the Canaanites and of their idolatry. He appoints to what extent the land is to be conquered, and in what manner it should be divided; also the towns to be granted to the Levites, and the cities of refuge. He es tablishes also the statute. which was of great im portance for the preservation of landed property, that an heiress should marry only within her own tribe (chapters xxxiii-xxxvi).
2. Credibility. There have frequently been raised strong doubts against the historical credi bility of the book of Numbers, although it is im pressed with indubitable marks of the age to which it refers, and of perfect authenticity.
(1) Author Acquainted with Egypt. The author of the book of Numbers proves hiinself to be intimately acquainted with Egypt. The pro ductions mentioned in chapter xi :5 are, according to the most accurate investigations. really those which in that country chiefly served for food.
Narratives like the history of Balaam (xxii, xxiv) furnish also numerous proofs of their high antiquity. These confirmations are of the great est importance, on account of the many marvelous and enigmatical points of the narrative.
(2) AccurateGeographical Statements. Com pare, for instance, the geographical statu:ments, which are uncommonly accurate, in chapters xxii: 1, 36, 39; xxiii :14. 15, 27, 2g. (See berg's Gcschichtc I3erlin, 1842, p. 221, sq.) The list of stations in chapter xxxiii is an im portant document, which could not have orig inated in a poetical imagination. This list con tains a survey of the whole route of the Israelites, and mentions individual places only in case the Israelites abode therc for a considerable period. It is not the production of a diligent compiler, but rather the original work of an author well versed in the circumstances of that period. A later author would certainly have avoided the ap pearancc of some contradictions, such as that in Num. xxxiii :3o, 31, comp. with Deut. x :6. This apParent contradiction may best be removed by observing that the book of Numbers speaks of the expedition of the Israelites in the second year of their wanderings, and the book of Deuteronomy of their expedition in the fortieth year. (See DISCREPANCIES, BIBLICAL.) The list of stations contains also important historical notices ; those, for instance, in chaptcr xxxiii :4, 9, 14, 38. These notices demonstrate the accurate historical infor mation of the author. II. A. C. H.
NUN (Min), (Heb. noon, in Syr. and Arab., a fish), the father of Joshua, who is hence constantly called Joshua ben-Nun (Exod. xxxiii :it; Num.
xi :28 ; xiii :8, 16 ; xiv :6. 3o, 38 ; xxvi :65 ; xxvii :18 ; xxxii :12, 28, etc.), B. C. before 1210. 'Joshua the son of Nun.' Nothing is known of the person who bore this name.