Numbers 1:1-10:10
About 2 years after the Exodus, Moses is commanded to take a census of Israel. Officially, the administrators of this census are to count men 20 years and older who are fit to fight. God selects 12 men to serve as assistants to Moses, one from each tribe (minus Levi, plus Joseph's 2 sons). The populations are ranked below:
Judah- 74,600
Dan- 62,700
Simeon- 59,300
Zebulun- 57,400
Issachar- 54,400
Naphtali- 53,400
Reuben- 46,500
Gad- 45,650
Asher- 41,500
Ephraim- 40,500
Benjamin- 35,400
Manasseh- 32,200
This creates a grand total 603,550 fighting aged men. If we assume roughly the same number of like-aged women, and add in the children and elderly, we can speculate, safely, that Israel's total population was over 2,000,000. Some would question whether a group of 70 or 72 people could multiple to over 2,000,000 in a mere 400 years, but this is certainly reasonable. Given the fact that the Egyptians feared the Israelites because of their rapid multiplications, we can conservatively say that the Israelite population doubled in size just about every 25 years. This doubling, after 400 years, would create a population of 4,587,520 people. There was, then, plenty of time for Israel's population to expand into the millions.
Chapter 2 discusses how all these people were arranged into camps. The tabernacle, obviously, was at the center of the community and the Levites set up their camp around it. The other 12 tribes were divided into 4 groups, each with a 'captain'
EAST: Judah with Issachar & Zebulun (186,400 fight ready men)
SOUTH: Reuben with Simeon & Gad (151,450 fight ready men)
WEST: Ephraim with Benjamin & Manasseh (108,100 fight ready men)
NORTH: Dan with Asher & Naphtali (157,600 fight ready men)
It has been mentioned that, should these tribes have set up camp in fairly straight lights backwards from the tabernacle, this arrangement with these populations would have created a giant cross shape from a bird's eye view. While this is relatively true, we can't be sure this was intended. There are hints of intentionality in that the cross shape does appear best from the vantage point of the front of the camp (east) and that the tabernacle is close to where Jesus' very heart would have been on the cross.
Chapter 3 clarifies why the Levites weren't included in the arrangement of the 12 tribes. At the time of the Passover, God had ordained that all the firstborn males from every tribe were to be dedicated to the Lord, but now God chose to take the entire Levitical tribe in the place of the firstborn. This seems, to me, to be a very compassionate change since it would keep all parties with their families. The Levites seem to have been chosen b/c of their religious zeal (as seen in the story of the Golden Calf) and their similar size with the number of firstborn males (22,000 vs. 22,273). Further detail is given regarding the individual clans within the Levitical tribe (Gershonites, Kohathites & Merarites). Each was given specific responsibilities which are discussed further in chapter 4.
Chapter 5 provides some specific instruction for maintaining purity within the camp. When a person wrongs another, they are to confess and make restitution (plus an additional 20%). A test to determine the faithfulness of a wife is described as well, although it sounds very primitive. Basically, if a husband became jealous or concerned in any way about the faithfulness of his spouse, he would bring her to the priest who would have her drink some dirty water. If she got sick, it meant she was guilty. If she didn't get sick, it meant she was innocent.
Chapter 6 discusses a special Nazirite vow which could be taken. It consisted of total abstinence from wine, total abstinence from using a razor upon one's head, and total abstinence from going near dead bodies (even if a relative died). A crafted priestly blessing is included a the end of the chapter.
Chapter 7 gives details as to the special gifts that were offered by each tribe at the dedication of the tabernacle. The total accumulation of the offerings is listed at the end of the chapter just before mention is made of Moses hearing the voice of God from within the tabernacle. Chapter 8 & 9 are fairly repetitive from Leviticus. They discuss the setting apart of the Levites and the celebration of the Passover. An interesting question is brought up. Since the Passover is only once per year, do those who are unavoidably 'unclean' at that time have to miss it? Moses' seeks God's reply to this concerned question. God declares that those in such a situation can, indeed, still celebrate the Passover. At the end of chapter 9 we are told once again about the cloud over the tabernacle and it's guidance in terms of when the Israelites were to travel.
The beginning of chapter 10 shows how trumpets were used to organize assemblies. If 2 trumpet blasts were blown, everyone was to assemble. If only 1 blast was made, just the tribal leaders were to assemble.
Judah- 74,600
Dan- 62,700
Simeon- 59,300
Zebulun- 57,400
Issachar- 54,400
Naphtali- 53,400
Reuben- 46,500
Gad- 45,650
Asher- 41,500
Ephraim- 40,500
Benjamin- 35,400
Manasseh- 32,200
This creates a grand total 603,550 fighting aged men. If we assume roughly the same number of like-aged women, and add in the children and elderly, we can speculate, safely, that Israel's total population was over 2,000,000. Some would question whether a group of 70 or 72 people could multiple to over 2,000,000 in a mere 400 years, but this is certainly reasonable. Given the fact that the Egyptians feared the Israelites because of their rapid multiplications, we can conservatively say that the Israelite population doubled in size just about every 25 years. This doubling, after 400 years, would create a population of 4,587,520 people. There was, then, plenty of time for Israel's population to expand into the millions.
Chapter 2 discusses how all these people were arranged into camps. The tabernacle, obviously, was at the center of the community and the Levites set up their camp around it. The other 12 tribes were divided into 4 groups, each with a 'captain'
EAST: Judah with Issachar & Zebulun (186,400 fight ready men)
SOUTH: Reuben with Simeon & Gad (151,450 fight ready men)
WEST: Ephraim with Benjamin & Manasseh (108,100 fight ready men)
NORTH: Dan with Asher & Naphtali (157,600 fight ready men)
It has been mentioned that, should these tribes have set up camp in fairly straight lights backwards from the tabernacle, this arrangement with these populations would have created a giant cross shape from a bird's eye view. While this is relatively true, we can't be sure this was intended. There are hints of intentionality in that the cross shape does appear best from the vantage point of the front of the camp (east) and that the tabernacle is close to where Jesus' very heart would have been on the cross.
Chapter 3 clarifies why the Levites weren't included in the arrangement of the 12 tribes. At the time of the Passover, God had ordained that all the firstborn males from every tribe were to be dedicated to the Lord, but now God chose to take the entire Levitical tribe in the place of the firstborn. This seems, to me, to be a very compassionate change since it would keep all parties with their families. The Levites seem to have been chosen b/c of their religious zeal (as seen in the story of the Golden Calf) and their similar size with the number of firstborn males (22,000 vs. 22,273). Further detail is given regarding the individual clans within the Levitical tribe (Gershonites, Kohathites & Merarites). Each was given specific responsibilities which are discussed further in chapter 4.
Chapter 5 provides some specific instruction for maintaining purity within the camp. When a person wrongs another, they are to confess and make restitution (plus an additional 20%). A test to determine the faithfulness of a wife is described as well, although it sounds very primitive. Basically, if a husband became jealous or concerned in any way about the faithfulness of his spouse, he would bring her to the priest who would have her drink some dirty water. If she got sick, it meant she was guilty. If she didn't get sick, it meant she was innocent.
Chapter 6 discusses a special Nazirite vow which could be taken. It consisted of total abstinence from wine, total abstinence from using a razor upon one's head, and total abstinence from going near dead bodies (even if a relative died). A crafted priestly blessing is included a the end of the chapter.
Chapter 7 gives details as to the special gifts that were offered by each tribe at the dedication of the tabernacle. The total accumulation of the offerings is listed at the end of the chapter just before mention is made of Moses hearing the voice of God from within the tabernacle. Chapter 8 & 9 are fairly repetitive from Leviticus. They discuss the setting apart of the Levites and the celebration of the Passover. An interesting question is brought up. Since the Passover is only once per year, do those who are unavoidably 'unclean' at that time have to miss it? Moses' seeks God's reply to this concerned question. God declares that those in such a situation can, indeed, still celebrate the Passover. At the end of chapter 9 we are told once again about the cloud over the tabernacle and it's guidance in terms of when the Israelites were to travel.
The beginning of chapter 10 shows how trumpets were used to organize assemblies. If 2 trumpet blasts were blown, everyone was to assemble. If only 1 blast was made, just the tribal leaders were to assemble.
posted by matthew at 11:20 AM
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