NUMBERS

What I learned from reading Numbers 1:1-54

In their second year after leaving Egypt, on the first day of the second month, Jehovah spoke to Moses in the tent of meeting. God said to take a census of all the Israelite men 20 years of age and older to serve in their army. Jehovah named 12 men, one from each tribe, to help with the census.

The Chieftain of the tribe of Reuben was Elizur the son of Shedeur, with 46,500 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe of Simeon was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, with 59,300 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe of Judah was Nahshon the son of Amminadab with 74,600 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe of Issachar was Nethanel the son of Zuar with 54,400 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe of Zebulun was Eliab the son of Helon with 57,400 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe from Joseph's son Ephraim was Elishama the son of Ammihud with 40,500 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe from Joseph's son Manasseh was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur with 32,200 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe of Benjamin was Abidan the son of Gideoni with 35,400 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe of Dan was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai with 62,700 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe of Asher was Pagiel the son of Ochran with 41,500 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe of Gad was Eliasaph the son of Deuel with 45,650 men registered.

The Chieftain of the tribe of Naphtali was Ahira the son of Enan with 53,400 men registered.

The total number of men thus registered for the Israelite army was 603,550.

The Levites, however, were not to be registered. They were appointed to take care of the tabernacle of the Testimony and everything in it.

They were to camp around the tent by their divisions, and when it was to be moved, they were to take it down and then reassemble it again.

No unauthorized person was to come near the tabernacle or they would be put to death.

The rest of the tribes were assigned specific areas around the tabernacle to set up their tents according to their division.

What I learned from reading Numbers 2:1-34

Next Jehovah explained to Moses and Aaron how the camp should be set up. The Levites with the tent of meeting was to be in the center.

On the east side was the tribe of Judah with Nahshon the son of Amminadab as it's Chieftain. Those registered in his army were 74,600. Alongside him was the tribe of Issachar. Its chieftain was Nethanel the son of Zuar and those registered in his army were 54,400. Next to them was the tribe of Zebulun. Its chieftain was Eliab the son of Helon and those registered in his army were 57,400. Altogether the ones registered in those three tribes amounted to 186,400 men and they were to break camp first.

The next three-tribe division was to camp on the south side. The chieftain for the sons of Reuben was Elizur the son of Shedeur and those registered in his army were 46,500. Camping alongside them was the tribe of Simeon. Its chieftain was Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai and those registered in his army were 59,300. Next to them was the tribe of Gad. Its chieftain was Eliasaph the son of Reuel and those registered in his army were 45,650. The total number of men registered for those three tribes was 151,450 and they were to break camp second.

The three-tribe division that were to camp on the west included the tribe of Ephraim. Their chieftain was Elishama the son of Ammihud and those registered in his army were 40,500. Next to them was the tribe of Manasseh. Its chieftain was Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur and those registered in his army were 32,200. Next to them was the tribe of Benjamin. Its chieftain was Abidan the son of Gideoni and those registered in his army were 35,400. Altogether those registered in that camp amounted to 108,100 and they were to break camp third.

The three-tribe division toward the north consisted first of Dan. Its chieftain was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai and those registered in his army were 62,700. Alongside them was the tribe of Asher. Its chieftain was Pagiel the son of Ochran and those registered in his army were 41,500. Next was the tribe of Naphtali. Its chieftain was Ahira the son of Enan and those registered in his army were 53,400. Altogether those registered in that camp were 157,600. They were to break camp last.

The total who were registered from the Israelites for the army amounted to 603,550. That amount didn't include the Levites, for they were not registered just as Jehovah commanded.

What I learned from reading Numbers 3:1-51

Moses and his older brother Aaron were of the tribe of Levi. Aaron had four sons; Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died childless though, when they made unauthorized fire before Jehovah. Eleazar and Ithamar continued to serve as priests under their father Aaron.

Jehovah told Moses that it was the duty of the Levites to be responsible for the tent of meeting. They were to be the given ones of the Israelites and no other unauthorized person could come near the tabernacle or they would be put to death.

The Levites were to take the place of all the firstborn of the Israelites. Every firstborn belonged to Jehovah. And now it was time to register all the sons of Levi by their paternal houses and by their families from one month of age and older.

The sons of Levi were Gerson, Kohath and Merari.

Gershon's sons were Libni and Shimei and the total of their registered males were 7,500. They were to camp to the west of the tabernacle. Their chieftain was Eliasaph the son of Lael and their responsibility was to care for the tabernacle and the tent, its covering, the screen of the entrance, the hanging curtains of the courtyard, the screen of the entrance of the courtyard and altar, its tent cords and everything connected with them.

Kohath's sons were Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. They numbered 8,600 and were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle. Their chieftain was Elizaphan the son of Uzziel, and their responsibility was to care for the Ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the utensils used to minister in the holy place, the screen and everything connected with them.

Merari's sons were Mahli and Mushi. The males in their families numbered 6,200 and they were to camp on the northern side of the tabernacle. Their chieftain was Zuriel the son of Abihail and they were responsible for overseeing the panel frames, its bars, pillars, socket pedestals, all its utensils, tent pins, tent cords and everything connected with them.

Moses, Aaron and his sons were to camp in front of the tabernacle toward the east. They were responsible for taking care of the sanctuary. Aaron's son Eleazar was the head chieftain of the Levites and had the oversight of those taking care of the responsibilities of the holy place. Altogether there were 22,000 Levite men registered by their families.

Next Jehovah told Moses to register all the firstborn males of the Israelites one month old and upward. There were 22,273 who were registered. He was then to take a ransom price of 273 times 5 shekels from the Israelites, corresponding to the number of the excess of the firstborn of the Israelites over the total number of Levites. The 1,365 shekels was then given to Aaron and his sons as a ransom price just as Jehovah commanded.

What I learned from reading Numbers 4:1-49

Jehovah told Moses and Aaron to take a census of all the sons of Kohath, Gershon and Merari, the sons of Levi, who were between the ages of 30 and 50 years of age. Then he assigned them their service to the tent of meeting.

When it was time to move the tent, Aaron and his sons were in charge of taking down the screening curtain and covering the ark of the Testimony with it. They were to put a sealskin cover over it and spread a solid blue cloth over that, then put its carrying poles in their place. Another blue cloth and sealskin was to go over the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and all its snuffers and fire holders, the golden altar plus all the other utensils of their ministry. Whatever didn't have its own poles was to be wrapped in blue cloth and placed on a carrying bar.

All the ashes were to be removed from the altar and a purple cloth was to be spread over it. On top of that was placed its fire holders, forks, shovels, bowl and other utensils. A sealskin was to then be placed over it and its carrying poles put into their place.

Eleazar the son of Aaron was in charge of the oil for the lighting, the perfumed incense, the grain offering and the anointing oil. He was also to have oversight over the entire tabernacle and everything that was a part of it.

When everything was covered properly, then the sons of Kohath were to come in to carry the items from the holy and most holy, but they must be careful not to touch any of the holy items or they would die.

The sons of Gershon were to carry the tent cloths of the tabernacle, the tent of meeting it's sealskins and screens and curtains

The sons of Merari were assigned to carry the panel frames, its bars, pillars, socket pedestals, the pillars and socket pedestals of the courtyard, the tent pins and cords and everything connected with them.
The total registered Levites by their families 30 to 50 years of age were 8,580.

What I learned from reading Numbers 5:1-31

Jehovah told Moses the Israelites were to send out of their camp everyone who had leprosy, had a discharge or had touched a dead person so they wouldn't contaminate the camp, and they did just as Jehovah said.

Jehovah told Moses that if any man or woman committed a sin or acted unfaithfully toward Jehovah, they were to confess their sin and return the full amount as compensation for their guilt plus add a fifth of its value. They were to give the compensation to the person who was wronged. If unable to give it to the person or to a relative of the person, then the amount of compensation should be returned to Jehovah and belonged to the priest along with a ram of atonement.

Jehovah spoke to Moses and told him to tell the Israelites what should be done if a man thought his wife had gone astray and had sexual relations with another man. If a man became jealous and suspicious of his wife, he was to bring her before the priest along with an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour. 

The priest would then bring the woman forward and she'd be made to stand before Jehovah. The priest would put some holy water in an earthenware vessel, and then take some of the dust from the floor of the tabernacle and put it in the water. The woman would be made to unbind her hair and the priest would put in her palms the grain offering of jealousy. She was then to swear by an oath that she hadn't gone astray. The priest would then say to her that Jehovah would make her an object for cursing and her thigh would fall away and her abdomen would swell if she wasn't telling the truth. (This most likely meant that she would become infertile) To this she was to answer "Amen" (meaning "so be it”).

The priest would take the grain offering of jealousy from her hands and wave it back and forth before the altar of Jehovah while she drank the cursed, bitter water. If she was guilty the cursed water would enter into her and she would become cursed and bitter like the water. If she was innocent, she'd be able to conceive and would be free from punishment.

What I learned from reading Numbers 6:1-27

Jehovah told Moses that an Israelite man or woman could make a special vow to dedicate their life or the life of their child to Jehovah by becoming a Nazirite. It could be for a certain length of time or it could be for their entire life.

If a person should become a Nazarite, then they would totally avoid anything having to do with the grape, from the fruit to the wine and to the vinegar. They must not eat or drink anything from the grapevine. Also they must never cut their hair, but should allow it to grow until the days of their being set apart ended. An example of this would be the child Samson in the 13th chapter of Judges and of Samuel in the 1st chapter of 1 Samuel.

Also they were not to defile themselves by coming near to or touching a dead person. Not even if that person was their mother or father. If they should be standing next to a person who died, then they must have their head shaved and go through a purification ritual. On the seventh day they were to shave their head, then on the eighth day bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest. One was for a sin offering and the otherwise for a burnt offering. They would also bring a young ram for a guilt offering.

When a Nazarite completed his days, he would go to the entrance of the tent of meeting and present a sound young ram as a burnt offering, a sound female lamb as a sin offering, a sound ram as a communion sacrifice, a basket of unleavened ring-shaped loaves of flour and oil, unleavened wafers smeared with oil, a grain offering and a drink offering. They were to then shave their head and their hair would be put on the fire under the communion sacrifice. The priest would accept their offerings and would wave them back and forth before Jehovah. Afterward the Nazarite could drink some wine.

Anyone who made a vow to Jehovah must carry out their vow.
When blessing the people the priests were to say, “May Jehovah bless you and safeguard you." "May Jehovah make his face shine upon you, and may he favor you." "May Jehovah lift up his face toward you and grant you peace.”

What I learned from reading Numbers 7:1-89

When the tabernacle was completed, it was anointed and sanctified together with all its furnishings. Afterward each of the twelve chieftains of Israel brought before Jehovah their offerings of six covered wagons and 12 oxen, a wagon from each two chieftains and a bull from each one.

Moses gave them to the Levites to use for the moving of the tent of meeting. Two wagons and four oxen were given to the sons of Gershon and four wagons and their eight oxen were given to the sons of Merari under the direction of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest. The sons of Kohath didn't receive any because they carried the holy things on their shoulders.

Jehovah told Moses to have each of the chieftains present the remainder of their offerings for the inauguration on separate days. Nahshon the son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah presented his first. Second was Nathaniel the son of Zuar, the chieftain of Issachar. Third was the chieftain for the sons of Zebulun, Eliab the son of Helon. Fourth was the chieftain for the sons of Reuben, Elizur the son of Shedeur. Fifth was the chieftain for the sons of Simeon, Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. Sixth was the chieftain for the sons of Gad, Eliasaph the son of Deuel. Seventh was the chieftain for the sons of Ephraim, Elishama the son of Ammihud. Eighth was the chieftain for the sons of Manasseh, Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. Ninth was the chieftain for the sons of Benjamin, Abidan the son of Gideoni.

Tenth was the chieftain for the sons of Dan, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. Eleventh was the chieftain for the sons of Asher, Pagiel the son of Ochran. Twelth was the chieftain for the sons of Naphtali, Ahira the son of Enan.

Altogether the chieftains of Israel brought for the inauguration offering of the altar 12 silver dishes and 12 silver bowls both filled with fine flour mixed with oil, amounting to 2,400 shekels of silver, and 12 gold cups full of incense amounting to 120 shekels of gold. They also brought 12 bulls, 12 rams, 12 male lambs, 12 young goats for a sin offering. Also, they brought 24 bulls, 60 rams, 60 male goats and 60 male lambs each a year old for a communion sacrifice.

When Moses went into the tent of Meeting to speak with God, he'd hear God's voice conversing with him from between the two cherubs above the cover of the ark of the Testimony.

What I learned from reading Numbers 8:1-26

Jehovah told Moses to have Aaron shine the lamps of the golden lampstand on the area in front of it, and Aaron did as he was told.

Jehovah again spoke to Moses and told him that the Levites need to be cleansed. He was to take sin-cleansing water and sprinkle it on them. Then they were to take a razor and shave their whole body, wash their garments and cleanse themselves.

Next Moses was to take a young bull along with a grain offering of flour mixed with oil and another bull for a sin offering. He was to present the Levites before the tent of meeting and in front of the whole gathering of the assembly of the Israelites. In order for the Levites to carry out their service of Jehovah, the Israelites were to lay their hands on the Levites and Aaron would present them as a wave offering to Jehovah. In turn the Levites were to place their hands on the heads of the bulls for a sin offering and a burnt offering of atonement.

The Levites would then separate themselves from the Israelites and they would become Jehovah's. They were the given ones, to take the place of the firstborn of the Israelites who were saved out of Egypt.

Jehovah then gave the Levites to Aaron and his sons to carry out the service of the Israelites at the tent of meeting and to make atonement so that no plague would come upon the Israelites for them all coming near the holy place.

Jehovah again spoke to Moses and said that the Levites would serve at the tent of meeting from the age of 25 years until they were 50 years of age. The older men could no longer perform service there, but they could still minister to those who were taking care of the responsibilities.

What I learned from reading Numbers 9:1-23

In the second year of the Israelites dwelling in the wilderness, in the first month, Jehovah told Moses that at twilight on the 14th day of the month they were to prepare the Passover sacrifice.

There were some men, however, who had become unclean because they had touched a dead body. They went to Moses and asked what they should do. After telling them to wait while he spoke to Jehovah, he went into the tent of meeting.

Jehovah told Moses that whenever such a thing happened, those men were to celebrate the Passover on the 14th day of the second month instead. They must follow the exact same procedure, and any man who neglected to do it should be cut off and he'd answer for his sin.

Also, any foreign resident who was among them needed to prepare the passover sacrifice as there was only one statute for the native and the foreign resident alike.

From the day the tabernacle was set up, a cloud covered it by day while something like fire remained over it at night. Whenever the cloud lifted the Israelites would pack up everything and depart. Then they would follow the cloud until it stopped. Sometimes it would be for a day or two and sometimes they would remain in the same place for a month or even longer. They followed Jehovah's guidance and departed or encamped whenever and however the cloud led them.

What I learned from reading Numbers 10:1-36

Jehovah told Moses to have two trumpets made. They were to be used to summon the assembly and to break camp. If one trumpet blast was blown it was for the chieftains to assemble. If both were blown, it was for the whole assembly of Israelites to gather. When the sound was a fluctuating blast it meant the tribes were to depart. The first fluctuating blast was for those on the east to start moving, the next for the south and so forth.

The priests were the ones who blew the trumpets. When they went to war, they were to sound a war call on the trumpets. Then Jehovah would remember them and save them from their enemies.

The trumpets were also to be blown at their festivals, over their burnt offerings and their communion sacrifices to serve as a reminder before their God.

On the 20th day of the second month of the second year after they left Egypt, the cloud lifted from over the tabernacle of the Testimony. The Israelites packed up everything and departed, following the cloud to the wilderness of Paran. Each of the three-tribe divisions under their chieftains departed as instructed by the order of Jehovah.

As they were getting ready to leave, Moses spoke to his brother-in-law Hobab the son of Reuel the Midianite, and asked him to accompany them. He refused at first, but then Moses told him they could also use him as a guide for he was familiar with the area. And besides, he could share in all the goodness Jehovah was going to show them.

They journeyed for three days, the cloud and the ark of Jehovah leading the way. When the ark was raised, Moses would say that their enemies would be scattered and flee from before them, and when it came to a rest, he would say may Jehovah return to the thousands of Israel.

What I learned from reading Numbers 11:1-35

The Israelites began to complain bitterly before Jehovah so that his anger flared. A fire began to consume some of those complainers on the outskirts of the camp and people cried out to Moses. He supplicated to Jehovah and the fire died out. Moses named that place Taberah which means burning or blaze.

Then the mixed crowd who were with them and some of the Israelites began to express a selfish longing for the meat, fish, cucumbers, watermelon, leeks, onions and Garlic of Egypt. They complained that all they had was the manna which was actually quite versatile and tasted sweet like coriander. They could grind it like flour to make bread or cake. They could also pound it in a mortar, put it in a pot and boil it for stews. All they had to do was go out every morning to gather enough to feed themselves and their family each day.

Moses heard the men weeping at the entrance of their tents over what they no longer had and became displeased. Once again Jehovah's anger blazed. Moses went to Jehovah and asked why he'd been burdened with all those ungrateful people. They weren't even his children so that he felt obligated to care for them. He said he couldn't bare the burden of caring for them any longer, so God might as well kill him right then and there.

Jehovah told Moses to gather 70 men from the elders of Israel and take them to the tent of meeting. Moses was then to tell the people that they must sanctify themselves, for the next day he was going to send them so much meat it would be coming out of their nostrils.

Moses told Jehovah that with over 600,000 men plus women and children. It would take a lot of meat. Jehovah asked if his hand was too short to keep his promise. They would all find out that whatever God said would happen, would happen.

So Moses gathered the 70 men and had them stand around the tent of meeting. Then Jehovah came down in the cloud and took some of the spirit that was on Moses away and put it on the 70 elders. As soon as that happened, the men began prophesying. Two men who were still in the camp named Eldad and Medad began prophesying as well. When Joshua the son of Nun told Moses to restrain them, Moses said he wished all of Jehovah's people could be prophets and receive His holy spirit.

Then a strong wind sprang up, and quail from near the sea fell into the camp until they were about 2 cubits deep (about 89 cm or 35 inches). But the people became crazed with desire, and instead of being thankful, tore into the meat without preparing it first. Once again Jehovah's anger blazed against the people and while the meat was between their teeth, God struck the people down with a great slaughter.

Because of that, they named that place Kibroth-hattaavah, meaning
“Burial Places of the Craving", because of their selfishness. From there they then departed for Hezeroth.

What I learned from reading Numbers 12:1-16

Jehovah was listening when Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of his Cushite wife. But it wasn't until it was said that Moses wasn't the only one who Jehovah had spoken through, that Jehovah told Moses, Aaron and Miriam to go to the tent of meeting.

When they got there, Jehovah came down in the pillar of cloud and called Aaron and Miriam to come forward. He told them, God makes himself known in visions and speaks to some in dreams, but it was different with Moses, for they spoke face-to face. Moses was entrusted with all of Jehovah's house.

They were asked why they didn't fear to speak against Moses, but before they could answer, Jehovah's anger burned against them and the cloud departed. When the cloud was gone, Aaron turned toward Miriam and saw she was white as snow with leprosy. He begged Moses to not let their sin be held against them, and to not let her continue as though she was as someone dead.

Moses cried out to Jehovah, but Jehovah told him she would be humiliated for seven day and must be quarantined outside the camp. So for seven days they didn't break camp. When the time ended and Miriam was brought back into the camp, then they departed from Hazeroth and began camping in the wilderness of Paran.

What I learned from reading Numbers 13:1-33

Jehovah told Moses to send men out, one from each tribe, to spy on the land of Canaan. Before Moses sent out the twelve chieftains, he told them to see what kind of land it was, what the people were like and what their cities, encampments and fortifications were like. He also asked them to learn how rich the land was with trees and to bring back some of its fruitage.

The men spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehab to Lebo-hamath. In the Valley of Eshcol (meaning grapes), they cut down a branch with one cluster of grapes that took two men to carry on a bar. They also gathered many pomegranates and figs.

After 40 days they returned and reported all that they had seen to Moses, Aaron and the assembly of Israelites. They showed them the fruitage they'd gathered and said indeed the land was flowing with milk and honey. However, they also said the people who dwelt there were strong and there were many fortified cities.

Caleb the son of Jephunneh of the tribe of Judah, tried to tell Moses that they needed to leave immediately so they could take possession of the land, for they were sure to conquer it. But the other men said they better not go, for they were't strong enough to go against them. The men they saw were of extraordinary size and were stronger then they were and the Israelites were sure to be devoured by them.

What I learned from reading Numbers 14:1-45

After the Israelites heard the bad reports about the land of Canaan from some of their Chieftains, the people began crying and weeping. They started murmuring against Moses and Aaron and said if only they'd died in Egypt or the wilderness. They blamed Moses, saying he'd brought them to this land to fall by the sword while their wives and children would become plunder.

When Moses and Aaron heard them say they needed to appoint a new leader and return to Egypt, they fell on their faces. Joshua and Caleb ripped their garments and told the people the land they saw was very good. If they pleased Jehovah and didn't rebel, he'd protect them. But the assembly didn't listen and instead began talking of stoning them.

Suddenly Jehovah's glory appeared on the tent of meeting so that all the people saw it. Jehovah told Moses he was tired of the people treating him with disrespect in spite of all he'd done for them. He would strike them all with a pestilence and through Moses make a nation even greater then them.

Moses reminded Jehovah that the Egyptians and the inhabitants of the land of Canaan would hear about it and say He wasn't able to bring them into the land, so He slaughtered them. He also reminded Jehovah that He was slow to anger and abundant in loyal love, pardoning error and transgressions. He begged Jehovah to forgive them because of the great loyal love he had for them when He brought them out of Egypt.

Jehovah said that because of Moses' word, He would forgive them. But not one of the men who had seen his glory in Egypt and in the wilderness would see the land of Canaan. Only Caleb and Joshua would be able to go into the land and take possession of it because of their following him wholeheartedly. None of the other Israelites from 20 years of age and up would live to enter the land that he swore he'd give them. For 40 years they would remain in the wilderness, a year for a day they'd spent spying out the land.

When Moses told the people what Jehovah had said they began to mourn. They got up early the next morning to go up the mountain, saying they had sinned and were ready to go. But Moses told them they were going beyond Jehovah's orders and He wouldn't be with them. Once again they didn't listen. They went anyway, even though the ark of Jehovah's covenant and Moses stayed in the middle of the camp. The Amalekites and Canaanites were waiting for them and they struck them down and scattered those who remained alive as far as Hormah.

What I learned from reading Numbers 15:1-41

Again Jehovah spoke to Moses, telling him what to say to the Israelites. When they finally entered into the land of Canaan, each offering they made from the herd or flock should be accompanied by a grain offering mixed with oil along with wine as a drink offering. This statute also applied to any foreigner who was in their midst. One law applied to both.

Whenever they came into their land, they were to contribute some of the first fruits of their harvest to Jehovah. They were to make a course meal from the grain of the threshing floor and present it as a ring-shaped loaf. The must continue to do so every year throughout their generations.

If the priests or assembly should make a mistake and fail to observe any of Jehovahs commandments, then they were required to offer one young bull as a burnt offering together with a grain offering mixed with oil and a drink offering, plus a young goat as a sin offering. The priest would make atonement then for all the Israelites and they would be forgiven.

If a person should sin by mistake, he must present a young female goat as a sin offering. The priest would make atonement for him and the mistake would be forgiven. The same would apply to a foreigner residing in their midst who did something unintentionally.

A person who did something deliberately however, was blaspheming Jehovah and was to be cut off. An example was a man who was gathering pieces of wood on the Sabbath day. He was brought before Moses, Aaron and the whole assembly. Jehovah said the man was to be stoned to death outside the camp for his deliberate disobedience to the law that no work could be done on the sabbath.

Jehovah further told Moses that from then on the Israelites must make fringed edges on the skirts of their garments with a blue string just above it. This was so they would be reminded of the commandments of Jehovah and not follow their own hearts and eyes which led them to spiritual prostitution.

What i learned from reading Numbers 16:1-50

Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, of the tribe of Levi, met together with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth of the tribe of Reuben, and rose up against Moses and Aaron. Joining them were 250 other chieftains of the 12 tribes. They said they'd had enough and that the whole assembly of Israelites were holy before Jehovah. Moses and Aaron were just exalting themselves above the congregation.

Moses fell facedown to the ground and told Korah and his supporters to return in the morning and Jehovah would make everyone know who belonged to him and who was holy. He said to put fire in their fire holders and place incense on the fire to present to Jehovah.

Later, Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, but they refused to come saying he was trying to make himself a ruler over them. Moses became angry at that and told Jehovah not to accept their offering, for he'd neither harmed them nor taken anything from them.

The next morning the 250 men with their fire holders, plus Aaron with his, presented themselves with Moses before the tent of meeting. When Jehovah's glory appeared to all of the assembly, Jehovah told Moses and Aaron to separate themselves from them as he was going to exterminate all of them.

Moses and Aaron fell to the ground before Jehovah, and Moses asked if one man's sin should mean death to everyone else. Jehovah then told Moses to tell the people to separate themselves from the tents of Korah, Nathan and Abiram. After Moses did so, he added that when the ground opened and swallowed them, then they would certainly know those men treated Jehovah disrespectfully.

As soon as most of the assembly moved away, the earth opened up under the tents of Korah, Nathan and Abiram and their screams could be heard as they, their families and all their goods were buried alive. Following that a fire came out from Jehovah and consumed the 250 chieftains who were offering incense.

Afterward, Jehovah told Moses to tell Eliazar the son of Aaron to gather the fire holders, as they were now holy and to use them to make thin metal plates to overlay the altar.

By now you would have thought that the assembly of Israelites would have accepted that Jehovah wanted Moses and Aaron to lead them, but the next day, the whole assembly began to murmer against them again and blame them for putting the others to death. Once again Jehovah's glory appeared in the cloud over the tent of meeting. Once again Jehovah said he was going to exterminate the entire assembly. Moses turned to Aaron and told him to go quickly and take his fire holder with incense and make atonement for those assembled. The plague had already started though and even though Aaron tried to stand between the dead and the living, those who died from it amounted to another 14,700 in addition to those who died because of Korah.

What I learned from reading Numbers 17:1-13

Jehovah told Moses to take a rod from each of the chieftains of their paternal houses and write their names on them. He was to place each one in the tent of meeting in front of the Testimony. The next day the people would learn which one Jehovah had chosen for their rod would bud, and that should stop the murmuring of the Israelites against Jehovah and thus against Moses, too.

So Moses did as he was told and the next day when he went into the tent of the Testimony, Aaron's rod had budded and had flowers and ripe almonds on it. Moses showed all of the rods to the people of Israel and each of the chieftains took back his own rod.

Jehovah told Moses to put Aaron's rod back before the Testimony and it was to be kept there as a sign so the murmurings would cease and no more Israelites might die.

After Moses did as he was told, the Israelites told Moses they were afraid to even come close to Jehovah's tabernacle or they would die.

What I learned from reading Numbers 18:1-32

Jehovah spoke to Aaron and told him the sanctuary was the responsibility of him and his sons. They would be answerable for any error against the priesthood. All of the sons of Levi must join them by ministering to them. The others must not come near the utensils of the holy place and altar, though, or they would die.

The Levites were chosen from among the Israelites as a gift to the priests to care for the service of the tent of meeting. However, it was Aaron and his sons that were responsible for what was inside the curtain. That was their gift from Jehovah.

Aaron and his sons were also in charge of all the contributions that were made to Jehovah. It was their permanent allowance along with the most holy offering made by fire, the grain offerings, the sin offerings and guilt offerings. They, along with their sons and daughters were to all share in the eating of everything that was presented to Jehovah, as long as they were clean.

Also any gift or devoted thing that was presented to Jehovah was theirs, as was the best of the oil, the new wine, the grain and the first fruits.

The firstborn of all living things which were presented to Jehovah would belong to the priests. They were to redeem or ransom the firstborn of humans as well as any unclean animal with a redemption price of five silver shekels.

The priests wouldn't receive any land as an inheritance, for Jehovah was their inheritance. The Israelites were to give a tenth of everything in return for service of the Levites, and in turn the Levites were to give a tenth of that to Jehovah as their contribution. Just as the Israelites were to give the best of what they had to Jehovah, the priests were to present the best of the best of what they received to Jehovah. None of them would incur sin as long as they continued to do so.

What I learned from reading Numbers 19:1-22

Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron. The Israelites were to take a sound red cow, a young one who had no defects and had never been placed in a yoke. They were to have Eleazar take it outside the camp, slaughter it and splatter some of its blood seven times toward the tent of meeting.

Then he must watch as the rest of the cow was burned completely along with cedar wood, hyssop and scarlet material. He was to thoroughly wash himself and his garments and return to the camp, but still be unclean until the evening. The person who helped him and burned the cow must also wash himself, his garments and also be considered unclean until the evening.

Another man, one who was clean, was to gather up the ashes from the cow and place them in a clean place outside the camp. The ashes were to be used to prepare water as a sin offering for cleansing. Then he too must wash himself and his garments afterward and be considered unclean until the evening.

Any Israelite or foreigner in their midst who touched a dead person would be unclean for seven days. They must purify themselves with water on the third day and then on the seventh day they'd be considered clean. Anyone not doing so was to be cut off.

If someone died in a tent, then everyone in that tent or who entered it afterward would be unclean. Any open container within the tent would also be unclean. Anyone in a field who touched anyone who died, either naturally or with the sword, was unclean. They needed to take some of the water with the ashes from the sin offering and pour some of the water over them. Then a clean man should take hyssop on the third day, dip it in the water and ashes and spatter it on the tent, its contents and on the unclean people in it to purify them. On the seventh day the unclean person should bathe, wash their garments and then become clean in the evening. This was to be a lasting statute for all of them.

What I learned from reading Numbers 20:1-29

At the end of the 40 years of the Israelites dwelling in the wilderness, in the first month, they came to the wilderness of Zin and dwelt in Kadesh. There, Moses and Aaron's sister Miriam died and was buried.

They stayed there for quite a while and ran out of water, so the people came to Moses and Aaron and began quarreling with them. When Moses and Aaron went to the entrance of the tent of meeting and fell with their faces to the ground, Jehovah's glory appeared.

Jehovah told Moses to take his rod and call the whole assembly together in front of the rocky crag. Then, before the eyes of the people, he was to speak to the crag and it would give water to them. Moses did as Jehovah said, but when he spoke to the crag, he didn't give the credit for the water to Jehovah, but in anger just called the people rebels and struck the rock twice with his rod.

Later, Jehovah told Moses and Aaron that because they hadn't shown faith before the people and sanctified him, they wouldn't be allowed to take the people into the promised land. That place became known as Maribah for that was where the Israelites quarreled with Jehovah and he wasn't sanctified by Moses.

Moses then sent messengers a short distance away to the ruler of Edom, a descendent of Jacob's brother Esau, and asked permission for the Israelites to pass by their land. Even though he promised they would stay on the road and not drink any of their water, they were refused passage. They were told that if they tried, Edom would come after them with the sword. So Israel turned away and went to Mount Hor instead.

There Jehovah told Aaron that he was near to death. Moses was told to take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up the mountain. Then he was to take Aaron's garments and put them on Eleazar instead.

After Aaron died and was buried there on Mount Hor, Moses and Eleazar returned to the assembly. When the people saw that Aaron wasn't with them, the entire house of Israel grieved and wept for him for 30 days.

What I learned from reading Numbers 21: 1-35

As the Israelites neared the land of Canaan, they came in contact with some of their surrounding neighbors. The King of Arad in the Negeb attacked them and carried away some captives. Israel vowed to Jehovah that if they were able to defeat him, they would devote his cities to destruction. Jehovah listened, the cities were destroyed and the area was renamed Hormah.

Because their journey was taking a while, the people started murmuring against Moses again. This time they became afflicted with poisonous serpents and many died. The people came to Moses and asked that he intercede on behalf of them with Jehovah. So Jehovah told Moses to make a replica of the poisonous snake and put it on a pole so the people could look at it and not die. Moses then made a copper serpent and placed it on a pole and whenever someone was bitten, he could look at it and survive.

After that they camped at Oboth, Iyeabarim, Zered, Arnon and Beer. There Jehovah provided water for them and the Israelites praised him with song. From there they went to Mattanah, Nahaliel, Bamoth and then Moab. There they sent messengers to Sihon the king of the Amorites asking to pass by his land on the King's road. They promised not to turn aside into any field or drink any of their water.

Sihon gathered all his people and went out to fight the Israelites instead, but they defeated him and took possession of the land of the Amorites and some began dwelling in the city of Heshbon.

Later Moses sent some men to spy on Jazer. They captured those cities and drove out the Amorites who lived there. Then they went to Bashan. When it's king Og and his people came out to meet them for battle, Jehovah told Moses not to be afraid for they would defeat him. Then they took possession of that land as well.

What I learned from reading Numbers 22:1-41

After the Israelites defeated the Amorites, they camped on the desert plains of Moab, across the Jordan river from Jericho. Balak, the king of Zippor in Moab, heard about what had happened to the Amorites and became afraid. He sent some messengers with a fee of divination to Balaam the son of Beor at Pethor, asking him to come and curse the people of Israel.

Balaam told the messengers to stay the night and he'd let them know in the morning what Jehovah said. That night Balaam spoke to the true God and repeated what the king had said through the messengers. God told him he must not go to Balak and curse the Israelites for they were blessed.

In the morning Balaam told the princes of Moab that Jehovah had refused to let him go. When the princes returned and Balak heard what they said, he again sent princes, but more distinguished ones to beg Balaam to come to him. Balaam told them he couldn't do anything beyond the order of Jehovah no matter how much he was paid. Still, he told them to stay and he would let them know what Jehovah said.

That night Jehovah said he could go with them, but he'd only be allowed to say the words he was told to say. The next morning Balaam saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab.

The next day Jehovah sent an angel with a sword to stand in the road and when the donkey saw it, he tried to turn into the field. Balaam didn't see the angel and started to beat his donkey to make it return to the road. Then Jehovah's angel stood in a narrow path between two vineyards with stone walls on each side. When the donkey saw it, he jammed Balaam's foot against the wall and Balaam beat it again. 

A third time the angel appeared and the donkey had nowhere to go, so it laid down in the road. Again Balaam beat the donkey. At that Jehovah caused the donkey to speak and it asked Balaam why he'd beaten him three times, for he knew he'd never acted like that before. Then Jehovah opened Balaam's eyes and he saw the angel with the sword. He immediately prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

The angel told Balaam the donkey had saved his life three times and every time the donkey was beaten. Balaam admitted he had sinned and allowed his anger to overtake his common sense. The angel told him to go ahead and go with the men but reminded him to only say the words Jehovah told him to say.

Balak came out to meet Balaam. He took him to Kiriath-huzoth where he sacrificed some cattle and sheep to give to Balaam and the princes. The next morning Balak took Balaam to Bamoth-baal where he could look out and see all the people of Israel.

What I learned from reading Numbers 23:1-30

Balaam told King Balak to build seven alters and sacrifice a bull and a ram on each. Then he went off alone to a barren hill to see what Jehovah revealed to him.

Later, after Jehovah told him what to say, Balaam returned to where Balak and his princes waited. He told them that while Balak had brought him from Aram to curse Jacob and denounce Israel, he could not curse those who God hadn't cursed, neither could he denounce those Jehovah hadn't denounced? He could see the Israelites, but they dwelt alone and didn't count themselves among the nations. He would like to die the death of the upright one like they did.

Balek was upset that Balaam blessed the Israelites instead of cursing them, so he took him to the field of Zophim on top of Pisgah where he could still see some of them. Again he built seven alters and sacrificed a bull and a ram on each. Again Balaam went off alone and Jehovah told him what to say.

When Balaam returned, he told Balak God doesn't tell lies nor change his mind. God had blessed the Israelites and that couldn't be reversed. God wouldn't tolerate any magic against them. He was with them and was their king. There is no divination against them and the people would rise up like a lion and eat their prey.

Balek told Balaam that if he couldn't curse them then he shouldn't bless them. Balaam replied that he could only say what Jehovah told him to say.
Balak now took Balaam to the top of Peor, and for the third time he built seven altars and sacrificed a bull and a ram on each.

What I learned from reading Numbers 24:1-25

By now Balaam was starting to learn his lesson about the will of Jehovah even though Balak wasn't. Balaam had been looking for omens of doom against Israel, but now he opened his eyes to actually see the encamped tribes of Israel.

The spirit of God came upon him then, and he saw how beautiful the tabernacle was. Their tents were like a garden with aloes and cedars. He foretold that the seed of Jacob would be greater than Agag of the Amalikites, and his kingdom would be exalted above all others. Like a lion he would consume the nations. Those that God blesses are blessed, and those he curses are the ones who remain cursed.

At that Balak became furious with Balaam. He said he'd intended to honor Balaam, but Jehovah had deprived him of any honor. Balaam reminded Balak that he'd told his messengers that no amount of silver or gold could make him do anything beyond what Jehovah told him.

Balaam said his eyes had now been opened. He'd seen a vision of the Almighty. A star would come out of Judah. He'd have a scepter that would break apart the forehead of Moab and the skull of the sons of tumult. That one would display courage and take possession of his enemies. He would destroy any surviver who thought themselves secure. Balaam mentioned all the nations around them and said they would all perish.

After that Balaam and Balak both returned to their places.

What I learned from reading Numbers 25:1-18

The Israelites dwelt in Shittim for a while. There the daughters of the land of Moab invited some of the people of Israel to bow down and worship their god, Baal of Peor, and to commit sexual immorality.

Jehovah became wrathful and told Moses they were to hang up the leaders of the rebellion so that His anger would turn away from them.

As Moses was talking to the judges and telling them they must kill those who were joining in with the false worship, an Israelite named Zimri the son of Salu, a chieftain of the tribe of Simeon, brought a Midianite woman, Cozbi the daughter of the chieftain Zur, into their camp. 

When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar saw them, he grabbed a spear, went into the man's tent and pierced both of them through. That halted the scourge of Jehovah, but more then 24,000 Israelites died because of their disobedience.

Because of his quick action in tolerating no rivalry, Jehovah made a covenant with Phinehas for a lasting priesthood for him and his offspring.

Later, Jehovah told Moses to strike all the Midianites down for what they did over the affair of Peor.

What I learned from reading Numbers 26:1-65

While they were still camped in the desert plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, Jehovah had Moses and Eleazar take a census of the Israelite men over the age of 20 to serve in their army.

Of the tribe of Reuben, the sons of Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron and Carmi amounted to 43,730 men. 

The son of Pallu was Eliab and his sons were Nemuel, Nathan and Abiram. Nathan and Abiram were swallowed up by the ground when they fought against Moses and Aaron. Korah too died when the fire consumed the 250 men, but his sons hadn't joined him.

Of the tribe of Simeon, the sons of Nemuel, Jamin, Jachin, Zerah, and Shaul amounted to 22,200 registered men.

Of the tribe of Gad, the sons of Zephon, Haggi, Shuni, Ozni, Eʹri, Arod and Areli amounted to 40,500 registered men.

Of the tribe of Judah, Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The other sons of Judah were Shelah, Perez and Zerah. The sons of Perez were Hezron and Hamul, and altogether their registered ones were 76,500 men.

Of the tribe of Issachar, the sons of Tola, Puvah, Jashub and Shimron amounted to 64,300 registered men.

Of the tribe of Zebulun, the sons of Sered, Elon and Jahleel amounted to 60,500 registered men.

Of the tribes of the sons of Joseph, the son of Manasseh was Machir. Machir became father to Gilead. The sons of Gilead were Iezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Shemida and Hepher. Zelophehad the the son of Hepher had no sons. His daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. Altogether, the families of Manasseh amounted to 52,700 registered men.

The sons of Ephraim were Shuthelah, Becher and Tahan. The son of Shuthelah was Eran. Altogether, the sons of Ephraim amounted to 32,500 registered men.

The sons of Benjamin were Bela, Ashbel, Ahiram, Shephupham and Hupham. The sons of Bela were Ard and Naman. Altogether they amounted to 45,600 registered men.

Of the tribe of Dan, the family of Shuham amounted to 64,400 registered men.

The sons of Asher were Imnah, Ishvi and Beriah. The sons of Beriah were Heber and Malchiel. Asher’s daughter was Serah. Altogether the sons of Asher amounted to 53,400 registered men.

The sons of Naphtali were Jahzeel, Guni, Jezer and Shillem. Their registered men amounted to 45,400.

The total of those registered of the Israelites amounted to 601,730 men.

Jehovah told Moses the land of Canaan should be divided as an inheritance according to the list of the names of those registered. The land would be apportioned by lot and by the numbers in each group.

Of the Levites, their families were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari

Kohath became father to Amram and his wife was Jochebed, the mother of Aaron, Moses and their sister Miʹiam. Aaron's sons were Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar, but the first two died for presenting unauthorized fire before Jehovah.

The total number of the descendants of Levi amounted to 23,000 males from one month and older. They were registered separately because they received no inheritance of land.

Of those registered, only Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun were among those who had been registered in the wilderness of Sinai, for Jehovah had said they would all die in the wilderness and they did.

What I learned from reading Numbers 27:1-23

The five daughters of Zelophehad the son of Hepher of the tribe of Manasseh approached Moses, Eleazar the priest, the chieftains and the rest of the Assembly. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah said their father had died in the wilderness without having any sons. They felt they should have a possession in the land just as the others had.

Jehovah told Moses that the women were right. They should receive a possession of inheritance. From then on, if a man should die without producing a son, his inheritance would pass to his daughter. If he didn't have a daughter, his inheritance would go to his brothers. If he had no brothers, his inheritance would go to his father's brothers or to his nearest relative.

Jehovah now told Moses that he was to go up into the mountain of Abarim so he could view the land that was being given to the Israelites. After he saw it, Moses would be gathered to his people. Moses asked who should be appointed to take his place. 

Jehovah told Moses to take Joshua the son of Nun and lay his hand on him. He was to be brought before Eleazar and the Assembly. Eleazar would inquire in his behalf by the judgement of the Urim. Then, at the orders of Joshua the assembly would come in and go out. Moses did just as Jehovah commanded him.

What I learned from reading Numbers 28:1-31

Jehovah continued to speak to Moses and described the offerings the Israelites were to make. Every day they were to sacrifice two sound year-old male lambs as a burnt offering, one in the morning and one at twilight. Accompanying each would be a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine flour with a fourth of a hin of beaten oil and a drink offering of a fourth of a hin of wine. Every Sabbath day that was to be doubled.

On the first day of the month, two bulls, one ram and seven sound male lambs each a year old were to be presented as a burnt offering. Along with that would be three tenth measures of fine flour and oil for a bull, two tenth measures for a ram and one tenth measure for each lamb. The drink offering would be half a hin of wine for the bull, a third for the ram and a fourth for each lamb. Along with that would be a young goat as a sin offering.

The 14th day of the first month was to be the passover. On the 15th there would be a festival starting where unleavened bread was to be eaten for 7 days. The first day was a holy convention so no work could be done. Two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs were to be offered with their grain and drink offering. The offerings would continue for six days and on the seventh there would be another holy convention.

The day of the first ripe fruits would be treated the same way as a holy convention with the same offerings being made.

What I learned from reading Numbers 29:1-40

On the first day of the 7th month, corresponding to late October and part of November, the Israelites were to hold another holy convention. The morning would start with a trumpet blast signaling that no work was to be done that day. In addition to the regular offerings that were made the first day of every month, they were to offer a young bull, a ram and seven male lambs, all a year old, with their grain offerings. They were also to offer a young male goat as a sin offering.

Then on the 10th day of the month there would be another holy convention. On that day, the Day of Atonement, they would afflict themselves, most likely meaning they fasted for 24 hours, as well as not do any work. They were to also offer in addition to their normal daily offerings, plus the atonement offerings, a young bull, a ram and seven male lambs with their grain offerings and drink offerings.

On the 15th day of that month, there would be yet another holy convention, a Festival of Harvest or First Ripe Fruits, also called the Festival of Booths. They would not do any work that day. That celebration would last 7 more days. In addition to the regular daily offering, on the first day of this convention they were to offer 13 young bulls, 2 rams and 14 male lambs along with their grain and drink offerings plus a goat for a sin offering.

The second day they were to offer 12 young bulls, 2 rams and 14 male lambs along with their grain and drink offerings and a goat for a sin offering.

The third day they were to offer 11 bulls, 2 rams and 14 male lambs along with their grain and drink offerings plus a goat for a sin offering.

The fourth day they were to offer 10 bulls, 2 rams, 14 male lambs along with their grain and drink offerings plus a goat for a sin offering.

The fifth day they were to offer 9 bulls, 2 rams and 14 male lambs along with their grain and drink offerings plus a goat for a sin offering.

The sixth day they were to offer 8 bulls, 2 rams and 14 male lambs along with their grain and drink offerings plus a goat for a sin offering. 

The seventh day they were to offer 7 young bulls, 2 rams and 14 male lambs along with their grain and drink offerings plus a goat for a sin offering.

On the 8th day they held a solemn assembly and were not to do any work. In addition to their regular offerings they were to offer 1 bull, 1 ram and 7 male lambs along with their grain and drink offerings plus a goat for a sin offering.

These festivals were in addition to their regular vow offerings, their voluntary offerings and their burnt, grain and drink offerings and their communion sacrifices.

What I learned from reading Numbers 30:1-16

Moses told the heads of the tribes of Israel that when a man made a vow to Jehovah, he must do everything he promised to do.

If a woman made a vow while still living in the house of her father, then it is up to her father whether she must keep the vow or not. Once he heard her vow he must speak up immediately and forbid it or her vow must stand. If her father forbade her, then Jehovah would forgive her.

If a woman should marry while under the vow, then it would be up to her husband. If he forbids the vow upon hearing it, then Jehovah would forgive her.

If a woman was divorced or a widow, however, and made a vow or a rash promise then it would be binding on her.

When a woman who was already married made a vow to Jehovah, it would stand if her husband had no objection. If he should object, though, then he must speak up immediately and annul her vow. If he didn't speak up and then objected to it later, he would bear the consequences of her guilt.

What I learned from reading Numbers 31:1-54

Jehovah told Moses it was time to take vengeance on the Midianites. After that Moses would be gathered to his people.

Moses told the people they were to send 1,000 men from each tribe, 12,000 men in all, to be equipped for battle. Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest led them with the holy utensils and signal trumpets in his hands.

They killed every male of the Midianites including their five kings: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba. They also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword because he was the one who had suggested to Balak to have the women urge the Israelite men to practice sexual and spiritual immorality with Baal of Peor. Because of Cozbi the daughter of a chieftain of Midian, 23,000 were killed in the scourge by Jehovah.

When Moses, Eleazar and the chieftains went out to meet them as they returned, Moses grew indignant when he saw they had returned with all the women and children as captives. Many were the very same women who had influenced the Israelite men to be unfaithful. Besides that, even though the army had burned their cities, they also took all they could carry of their spoils and herds.

Moses told them to kill all the male children and all the females who were old enough to have had sexual relations with a man. Then they all had to remain outside the camp for seven days if they had killed someone or touched someone who had died. On the third day they must purify themselves and on the seventh day they needed to clean themselves and everything they had with them before they could return to the camp.

Eleazar told them that everything that was metal must be passed through the fire to clean it. Then it and everything else must pass through water before it could come into the camp.

Jehovah told Moses to take an inventory of everything and divide it into two parts. Those who took part In the army were to divide their half among themselves and the rest of the assembly would get the other half to divide amongst themselves. Then they were to pay a tax for Jehovah from what they received. 1 from every 500 of the army's share and 1 in 50 from the assembly's share.

Altogether there were 675,000 of the flock, 72,000 of the herd and 61,000 donkeys that were spoils of war. There were also 32,000 women who had not had sexual relations with a male. Moses divided them up just as Jehovah had commanded and then deducted the tax for Jehovah to be given to the sons of Levi.

The chieftains of the army reported to Moses that not one man of the 12,000 were reported as missing. They then presented all the articles of gold, ankle chains, bracelets, signet rings, earrings and other jewelry that was plundered. Their contribution amounted to 16,750 shekels of gold. (One shekel equaled 11.4 g or 0.367 oz t. Or altogether 190,950 g or 6,147.25 oz. t) Moses and Eleazar accepted the gold and brought it into the tent of meeting as a reminder for the people of Israel.

What I learned from reading Numbers 32:1-42

The men of the tribe of Gad and Reuben noticed that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were good for raising livestock. Since they had amassed large herds, they approached Moses, Eleazar and the chieftains and asked if the lands they had just captured on the east side of the Jordan could be their inheritance.

Moses became upset and reminded them how Jehovah's anger had blazed 40 years before when the Israelites didn't want to cross the river. Once again the men approached, but this time they suggested that they be allowed to build stone pens for their livestock and cities for their wives and children, but that the men would then get ready for battle and accompany the other tribes and help them subdue the land of Canaan.

Moses told them that if they promised that every one of them would take up arms, cross the Jordan with them, then help them subdue the land of Canaan, then they could return to their women and children.

When they all agreed, Moses gave a command to Eleazar the priest, Joshua the son of Nun and to all the chieftains of the other tribes that once the land was subdued across the river in Canaan, then the men of the tribe of Gad and Reuben could take possession of the land of Gilead as their possession.

So Moses gave the sons of Gad and Reuben the lands of Sihon the king of the Amorites and Og the king of Bashan and all their territories. The men quickly built stone pens for their livestock and fortified cities for their wives and children and renamed the cities they'd rebuilt. 

After the half tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph went up against the remaining Amorites in Gilead, Moses gave them those lands to dwell in.

What I learned from reading Numbers 33:1-56

Moses recorded all the different encampments the Israelites made for the next 40 plus years after they left Egypt on the 15th day of Abib, the first month. The previous day had been the day that all the firstborn of the Egyptians had died. The Israelites left Ramses with confidence while the Egyptians were busy burying their dead.

They stopped at Succoth, Etham, Migdol and then Pihahiroth where they passed through the sea.

After that they camped at Marah, Elim, Sin, Dophkah, Alush, Rephidi (where there wasn't any water and Moses didn't give Jehovah credit for producing it from the rock) and then the wilderness of Sinai where they received the tablets of the Law.

From there they camped at Kibroth-hattaavah, Hazeroth, Rithmah, Rimmon-perez, Libnah, Rissah, Kehelathah and at Mount Shepher.

After they departed from Mount Shepher, they camped at Haradah, Makheloth, Tahath, Terah, Mithkah, Hashmonah, Moseroth, Bene-jaakan, Hor-haggidgad, Jotbathah, Abronah, Ezion-geber and finally the wilderness of Zin, that is, Kadesh.

From Kadesh they camped at Mount Hor, where Aaron the priest died at the age of 123 years.

Leaving Mount Hor, they camped at Zalmonah, Punon, Oboth, Iye-abarim, Dibon-gad, Almon-diblathaim, and then the mountains of Abarim. Finally they camped on the desert plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.

Jehovah spoke to Moses there and told him to tell the Israelites that after they cross the Jordan and go into the land of Canaan, they must drive away all the inhabitants of the land. They were to destroy all their carvings of stone, their metal statues and demolish all their sacred high places. if they didn't drive them all out, those who remained would continue to harass them and turn them away from serving Jehovah.

What I learned from reading Numbers 34:1-29

Jehovah then told Moses the boundaries of the land of Canaan for the Israelites.

The southern border on the east would be the Salt Sea. From there it would go west to the wilderness of Zin alongside Edom, pass south of the ascent of Akrabbim to Kadesh-barnea, then to Hazar-addar, to Azmon and the Wadi of Egypt and then to the Mediterranean Sea. The Seacoast would be their western border.

Their northern border would be from Mount Hor to Lebo-hamath, then to Zedad and extend to Ziphron and end at Hazar-enan. On the east, from there to Shepham, to Riblah, to Ain and down to the Sea of Chinnereth (Sea of Gaililee). From there down the Jordan River and back to the Salt Sea

That area was to be divided up between the remaining 9 1/2 tribes because the others had already claimed their inheritance on the other side of the Jordan River.

Next Jehovah told Moses that Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun were to take aside one chieftain from each of the tribes to help divide the land of Canaan by lots.

From the tribe of Judah, Jehovah chose Caleb the son of Jephunneh. Of the tribe of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. Of the tribe of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli. Of the sons of Joseph, from the tribe of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod, and from the tribe of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. Of the tribe of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. Of the tribe of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan. Of the tribe of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. Of the tribe of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud.

What I learned from reading Numbers 35:1-34

On the desert plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho, Jehovah spoke to Moses. He said to tell the Israelites they were to give the Levites land for 6 cities of refuge with pastures around each of them for their animals. The area for each pasture was to be 1,000 cubits on each of the four sides of the city's walls, plus another 1000 cubits (1,000 cubits equaled about .445 Kilometers or .276 Miles).

They were also to provide 42 other cities for the Levites, each with its own pastures for their animals. The land was to be apportioned according to each tribe's inheritance.

The six cites of refuge were to be used for unintentional manslayers. There were to be three cities on each side of the Jordan River, and they were be used by any Israelite, foreign resident or settler who killed someone by accident.

However, if a person deliberately struck someone in anger with any instrument of metal, stone or wood and they died, then the person must be put to death, for he was a murderer. The avenger of blood, usually the nearest blood relative, would be the one to put them to death.

If the death was accidental, the manslayer would flee to the nearest city of refuge and he would dwell there until the death of the high priest. Then he could return safely back to his own land. If he should leave the city before that, then the avenger of blood would have no bloodguilt in killing him.

In order for a person to be declared a murderer, there must be more then one witness. Also, a man couldn't pay a ransom if he'd been declared as a murder. Neither could a manslayer pay a ransom to be free to leave a city of refuge before the death of the high priest.

What I learned from reading Numbers 36:1-13

The family heads of the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph came to Moses with a problem. Earlier, the five daughters of Zelophehad had approached saying their father had died leaving no male heir. Jehovah said that when that happened the man's inheritance should be divided between his daughters. Now the tribe was concerned that their brother's inheritance would go to other tribes if his daughters married men from them.

Moses told them that Jehovah said the woman may marry whomever they wished, however they should marry someone from the same tribe as their father. Inheritance shouldn't circulate from tribe to tribe. Each tribe must keep its own inheritance.

So the daughter of Zelophehad did as Jehovah said. They married the sons of their father's brothers so the inheritance would remain in the tribe of their father.