NUMBERS is the appellation given to the fourth book of Moses, which in the Septuagint is called 'ApLOgoi, and in the Hebrew canon 1111D3 be-midbar, 'in the desert.' CONTENTS.—This book embraces more espe cially the continuation of the Sinaitic the march through the wilderness, the rejection of a whole generation, and the commencement of the conquest of Canaan. Thus we see that it treats on very different subjects, anti on this account it has frequently been attempted to resolve it into sepa rate fragments and documents, and to represent it as being composed of the most heterogeneous ma terials. We will endeavour to refute this opinion, by furnishing an accurate survey of its contents, and by describing the internal connection of its component parts, so that the organisation of the book may be clearly understood.
The sum and substance of the law having been stated in the preceding books, that of Numbers commences with the arrangements requisite for preserving good order in the camp of the Israelites. The people are numbered for the express purpose of separating the Levites from those Israelites who had to bear arms, and of thus introducing into practice the law concerning the first-born, for whom the tribe of Levi became a substitute. For this reason the people are not merely numbered, but also classed according to their descent ; the order which each tribe should occupy in the camp is de fined ; and the Levites are introduced into their respective functions (ch. i.–iv.) The camp, having been consecrated, was to be kept pure according to the law of Levitical cleans * The Var. Lec., which gives 6r6, is com monly, and on sufficient grounds, rejected.
ings ; consequently all persons were excluded from it who were afflicted with leprosy, who had be come unclean by a flux, and who had touched a corpse (ch. v. Thus, after civil and sacerdotal life had been brought into a definite form, other laws based upon this form came into force, especially those laws which regulated the authority of the priests in civil affairs (ch. v. 5 ; vi. 27). These regulations conclude with the beautiful form of benediction which indicates the blessing to be expected from the true observance of the preceding directions.
The people are impressed with this fact ; the hearts of the Israelites are willing to offer the required gifts, and to entrust them to the Levites.
Jehovah is faithful to his promise, and gloriously reveals himself to his people (ch. vii.) Before the Levites enter upon the discharge of their sacred functions, the law concerning the lamps to be lighted in the sanctuary is significantly repeated (ch. viii.) These lamps symbolize the communi cation of the Holy Spirit, and bring to the recol lection of the nation the blessings of theocracy to be derived from setting apart the tribe of Levi. which had recently been separated from the rest of the people.
Then follows a description of the celebration of the Passover, preparatory to the departure of the people from Mount Sinai (ch. ix. 1-14). Some regulations are connected with the celebration of the Passover, and the whole miraculous guidance of the people is described (ch. ix. 15–x.) Thus the entrance of Israel into the Holy Land seemed to be fully prepared ; and it was of great importance to show how they were prevented from entering it. Accurate details are therefore given of the spirit which pervaded the nation ; a spirit which, in spite of the forbearance of God, mani fested itself in daring rebellions against the divine authority (ch. xi. and xii.) Now comes the turning-point of the history. Everything seems externally prepared for the con quest of the country, when it appears that the nation are not yet internally ripe for the perform ance of so important an act (ch. xiii., xiv.) In immediate connection with this are some laws which were given in the desert ; the intention of which was to recal to the recollection of the rejected race, which had been justly condemned to suffer severe punishment, that nevertheless they had not ceased to be the people of the covenant, and the depositary of divine revelation (comp. ch. xv. 2, 13-16, 22, 23, 37, seg.) In this respect the facts mentioned in ch. xv. 32-36, and ch. xvi., are also of great importance. They show, on the one hand, the continuance of an evil disposition in the people, and, on the other, the majesty of God watching over his holy law.