Numbers 1:19

1:19 just as the Lord had commanded Moses. And so he numbered them in the wilderness of Sinai.

Numbers 2:1

The Arrangement of the Tribes

2:1 1 The Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron:

Numbers 3:14

The Numbering of the Levites

3:14 Then the Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai:

Numbers 3:16

3:16 So Moses numbered them according to the word 2  of the Lord, just as he had been commanded. 3 

Numbers 4:1

The Service of the Kohathites

4:1 4 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron:

Numbers 4:17

4:17 Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron:

Numbers 9:4

9:4 So Moses instructed 5  the Israelites to observe 6  the Passover.

Numbers 10:13

Judah Begins the Journey

10:13 This was the first time they set out on their journey according to the commandment 7  of the Lord, by the authority 8  of Moses.

Numbers 11:30

11:30 Then Moses returned to the camp along with the elders of Israel.

Numbers 12:7

12:7 My servant 9  Moses is not like this; he is faithful 10  in all my house.

Numbers 14:26

14:26 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron:

Numbers 16:8

16:8 Moses said to Korah, “Listen now, you sons of Levi!

Numbers 16:20

The Judgment on the Rebels

16:20 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron:

Numbers 19:1

The Red Heifer Ritual

19:1 11 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron:

Numbers 20:9

20:9 So Moses took the staff from before the Lord, just as he commanded him.

1 sn For this chapter, see C. E. Douglas, “The Twelve Houses of Israel,” JTS 37 (1936): 49-56; C. C. Roach, “The Camp in the Wilderness: A Sermon on Numbers 2:2,” Int 13 (1959): 49-54; and G. St. Clair, “Israel in Camp: A Study,” JTS 8 (1907): 185-217.

1 tn Heb “at the mouth of the Lord.”

2 tn The Pual perfect may be given the past perfect translation in this sentence because the act of commanding preceded the act of numbering.

1 sn The chapter has four main parts to it: Kohathites (1-20), Gershonites (21-28), Merarites (29-33) and the census of the Levites (34-49).

1 tn Heb “spoke to.”

2 tn The infinitive construct functions as the direct object of the preceding verb (a Hebrew complementary usage), answering the question of what he said.

1 tn Heb “mouth.”

2 tn Heb “hand.”

1 sn The title “my servant” or “servant of the Lord” is reserved in the Bible for distinguished personages, people who are truly spiritual leaders, like Moses, David, Hezekiah, and also the Messiah. Here it underscores Moses’ obedience.

2 tn The word “faithful” is נֶאֱמָן (ne’eman), the Niphal participle of the verb אָמַן (’aman). This basic word has the sense of “support, be firm.” In the Niphal it describes something that is firm, reliable, dependable – what can be counted on. It could actually be translated “trustworthy.”

1 sn In the last chapter the needs of the priests and Levites were addressed. Now the concern is for the people. This provision from the sacrifice of the red heifer is a precaution to ensure that the purity of the tabernacle was not violated by pollutions of impurity or death. This chapter has two main parts, both dealing with ceremonial purity: the ritual of the red heifer (vv. 1-10), and the purification from uncleanness (vv. 11-22). For further study see J. Milgrom, “The Paradox of the Red Cow (Num 19),” VT 31 (1981): 62-72.