Numbers 6:27

6:27 So they will put my name ¹  on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Numbers 8:6

8:6 “Take the Levites from among the Israelites and purify ²  them.

Numbers 8:18

8:18 So I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn sons among the Israelites.

Numbers 9:4

9:4 So Moses instructed ³  the Israelites to observe ⁴  the Passover.

Numbers 10:36

10:36 And when it came to rest he would say, “Return, O Lord, to the many thousands of Israel!” ⁵ 

Numbers 11:30

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

Numbers 21:21

The Victory over Sihon and Og

21:21 ⁶ Then Israel sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites, saying, ⁷ 

Numbers 25:3

25:3 When Israel joined themselves to Baal-peor, ⁸  the anger of the Lord flared up against Israel.

¹ tn The idea of their putting the name of Yahweh on the people is somewhat problematic. The pronouncing of the name of Yahweh in this context over the people was taken to be the effectual means of blessings. “Putting the name on them” is an expression that emphasizes the truth that he is their God and they are his people or that having his name is having his blessing.

² tn The verb טָהַר (tahar) means that Moses was “to purify” or “to make ceremonially clean” the Levites so that they could enter the sanctuary and do the work prescribed for them. Whatever is “unclean” is not permitted in the sanctuary at all.

³ tn Heb “spoke to.”

⁴ tn The infinitive construct functions as the direct object of the preceding verb (a Hebrew complementary usage), answering the question of what he said.

⁴ sn These two formulaic prayers were offered by Moses at the beginning and at the end of the journeys. They prayed for the Lord to fight ahead of the nation when it was on the move, and to protect them when they camped. The theme of the first is found in Ps 68:1. The prayers reflect the true mentality of holy war, that it was the Lord who fought for Israel and defended her. The prayers have been included in the prayer book for synagogue services.

⁵ sn For this section, see further J. R. Bartlett, “Sihon and Og of the Amorites,” VT 20 (1970): 257-77, and “The Moabites and the Edomites,” Peoples of Old Testament Times, 229-58; S. H. Horn, “The Excavations at Tell Hesban, 1973,” ADAJ 18 (1973): 87-88.

⁶ tc Smr and the LXX have “words of peace.”

⁶ tn The verb is “yoked” to Baal-peor. The word is unusual, and may suggest the physical, ritual participation described below. It certainly shows that they acknowledge the reality of the local god.