Book of Numbers
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The Book of Numbers, is the fourth book of Moses and the Old Testament. The English title, Numbers, comes from the Greek Septuagint (LXX) [1] name, Ἀριθμοί (Arithmoi) and Latin Vulgate. This designation is based on the numberings that are a major focus of chapters one to four and 26. The most common Hebrew title, בְּמִדְבַּר Bemidbar, comes from the fifth word in the first chapter, "in the wilderness [of]". This name is much more descriptive of the contents of the book, which recount the history of Israel during almost 39 years of wandering in the wilderness. Another Hebrew title, favoured by some of the early church fathers, is based on the first word of the Hebrew text of Chapter 1, "and He spoke". This designation emphasizes that the book records the Word of God to Israel.
Authorship and writing
The first five Books of the Law are all ascribed to Moses throughout Scripture. The book of Numbers itself refers to the writing of Moses in 33:2 and 36:13.
Background
Outline
References
- ↑ LXX Septuagint—an ancient translation of the Old Testament into Greek