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Old Testament
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Numbers Background
The Wilderness Wanderings
Page 2 Numbers Background
A   B A C K G R O U N D   S T U D Y
O F   N U M B E R S

III.
 OUTLINE.

A.
 BASIC DIVISIONS.   (36 Chapters)
 
 1.
Ancient writing styles are observed in our Biblical text, as seen with the differences noted in the injunctions recorded at the beginnings of new sections of material. If one compares injunctions within the text to that of the beginning itself, one will readily see additional information relating to location given in the latter, thus authenticating its historicity and narrative unity. (Compare: 2:1; 4:1,21; 5:1, etc. to 1:1 & De.1:1.)
 
 2.
When noting the additional geographical information within our text, we can also see

3 NATURAL DIVISIONS:
 
  
FINAL DAYS AT SINAI
  
 1:1
 -
 10:10
FROM SINAI TO PLAINS OF MOAB
  
 10:11
 -
 21:35
AT PLAINS OF MOAB   (Shittim, Near Jordan)
  
 22:1
 -
 36:13

B.
 A WORKING OUTLINE.
 
1.   FINAL DAYS AT SINAI.   1:1 - 10:10
First Census   (Levites Excluded)
 1:1
 --
 1:54
Tribal Deployment
 2:1
 --
 2:34
Levitical Census & Deployment
 3:1
 --
 3:51
Priestly Census & Service   (ages 30-50)
 4:1
 --
 4:49
Legal Addendums
 5:1
 --
 6:21
Benedictions
 6:22
 --
 6:27
Tabernacle Activities
 7:1
 --
 8:26
Second Passover Celebrated
 9:1
 --
 9:14
Preparations for Departure
 9:15
 --
 10:10

2.   FROM SINAI TO PLAINS OF MOAB.   10:11 - 21:35
From Sinai to Paran
 10:11
 --
 10:28
Rendezvous with Moses' Brother-in-Law
 10:29
 --
 10:32
Invocations
 10:33
 --
 10:36
Major Murmuring & Results
 11:1
 --
 11:34
From Paran to Hazeroth   (Aaron & Miriam's Sedition)
 11:35
 --
 12:15
From Hazeroth to Wilderness of Paran   (Spies Report & Tragic Results)
 12:16
 --
 19:22
From Paran to Wilderness of Zin   (Miriam's Death, Moses' Sin)
 20:1
 --
 20:21
From Kadesh to Mt. Hor   (Aaron's Death, Edom Encountered)
 20:22
 --
 21:3
From Hor to Plains of Moab
 21:4
 --
 21:35

3.   AT PLAINS OF MOAB.   22:1 - 36:13
Encounter with Moabites   (Baalam)
 22:1
 --
 25:18
Second Census   (38 Years Later)
 26:1
 --
 26:65
Legal Addendums   (Feasts Identified)
 27:1
 --
 30:16
Moses' Final Task   (Midianite Campaign)
 31:1
 --
 31:54
Inheritance of Reuben, Gad & Manasseh
 32:1
 --
 32:42
Journeys Recapitulated
 33:1
 --
 33:56
Boundaries of Inheritance
 34:1
 --
 34:29
Levitical Cities   (Cities of Refuge)
 35:1
 --
 35:34
Tribal Marriages
 36:1
 --
 36:13

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