The Book of NUMBERS

Second Edition

Timothy R. Ashley

William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

4035 Park East Court SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

www.eerdmans.com

© 1993, 2022 Timothy R. Ashley

All rights reserved

First edition 1993

Second edition 2022

ISBN 978-0-8028-7202-9

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Ashley, Timothy R., 1947– author.

Title: The book of numbers / Timothy R. Ashley.

Description: Second edition. | Grand Rapids, Michigan : William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, [2022] | Series: The new international commentary on the Old Testament | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Summary: “An updated and revised edition of a biblical commentary on the Book of Numbers that explores the book’s history and its meaning and use as Christian Scripture today”—Provided by publisher.

Identifiers: LCCN 2022002591 | ISBN 9780802872029 (hardcover)

Subjects: LCSH: Bible. Numbers—Commentaries

Classification: LCC BS1265.3 .A845 2022 | DDC 222/.1407—dc23/eng/20220224

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2022002591

The New International Commentary on the Old Testament

General Editors

E. J. Young

(1965–1968)

R. K. Harrison

(1968–1993)

Robert L. Hubbard Jr.

(1994– )

Bill T. Arnold

(2020– )

To

Dr. R. Glenn Wooden

student, colleague, friend

and

Reverend Maxine F. Clark Ashley

life partner and best friend

Contents

List of Excursuses

General Editor’s Preface

Preface to the Second Edition

Preface to the First Edition

List of Abbreviations

Select Bibliography

INTRODUCTION

I. Title and Contents

II. Structure

III. Authorship, Composition, and Interpretation of the Text

IV. Theological Themes

V. Text and Versions

VI. Analysis of Contents

TEXT AND COMMENTARY

I. Preparation for Departure (1:1–10:10)

A. Matters concerning the People and the Camp (1:1–6:27)

1. The Censuses and the Arrangements of the March (1:1–4:49)

a. First Lay Census (1:1–54)

(1) The Leaders (1:1–16)

(2) The Census Itself (1:17–47)

(a) Introduction (1:17–19)

(b) The Census Lists (1:20–47)

(3) The Levites Are Excepted (1:48–54)

b. Placement of the Camp and Marching Order (2:1–34)

c. The Levitical Censuses (3:1–4:49)

(1) General Census (3:1–39)

(a) Introduction of the Family of Aaron (3:1–13)

(b) The Census Itself (3:14–39)

(2) The Levites for the Firstborn (3:40–51)

(3) The Census of Working Levites (4:1–49)

2. Various Legal Enactments (5:1–6:27)

a. The Camp Must Be Kept Free from Those with Serious Skin Disease (5:1–4)

b. Restitution When There Is No Kinsman (5:5–10)

c. The Jealous Husband (5:11–31)

d. The Law of the Nazirite (6:1–21)

e. The Aaronic Benediction (6:22–27)

B. Various Matters concerning the Tabernacle (7:1–10:10)

1. Offerings by Tribal Leaders (7:1–89)

2. Lamps in the Tabernacle (8:1–4)

3. Consecration of Levites (8:5–22)

4. The Levites’ Work (8:23–26)

5. Supplement to the Passover Law (9:1–14)

6. Preparations to Depart (9:15–10:10)

a. Fiery Cloud (9:15–23)

b. Silver Trumpets (10:1–10)

II....