The Fourth Book of Moses Called Numbers
Numbers is the book of
wanderings. It takes its name from the two numberings of the
Israelites - the first at Mount Sinai and the second on the plains
of Moab. Most of the book, however, describes Israel's
experiences as they wander in the wilderness. The lesson of
Numbers is clear. While it may be necessary to pass through
wilderness experiences, one does not have to live there. For
Israel, an eleven-day journey became a forty-year agony.
The title of Numbers
comes from the first word in Hebrew text, Wayedabber, "And
He Said." Jewish writing, however, usually refer to it by
the fifth Hebrew word in 1:1, Bemidbar, "In the
Wilderness," which more nearly indicates the content of the book.
The Greek title in the Septuagint is Arithmoi, "Numbers."
The Latin Vulgate followed this title and translated it Liber
Numeri, "Book of Numbers." These titles are based on the
two numberings: the generation of Exodus (Num. 1) and the
generation that grew up in the wilderness and conquered Canaan
(Num. 26). Numbers has also been called the "Book of the
Journeyings," the "Book of the Murmurings," and the "Fourth Book
of Moses."
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