Why is the book of Numbers called numbers?

Answer 1

This book gets its name from the account it gives of the "numbers" of the children of Israel.

It contains an history of the Israelites, and of their travel in the wilderness for the space of thirty eight years. It is not merely historical, but gives a particular account of several laws, ceremonial and judicial, to be observed by the people of Israel, as well as has many things in it very instructive, both of a moral and evangelical nature.

Answer 2

Numbers in The Bible can mean several things. The first thing that must be understood is weather the specific scripture you are reading is referring to a literal number of things (Revelation 14:1) or it is referring to a number in a prophetic or symbolic way (Daniel 2:24) in many cases knowing the difference is why some scripture are not understood or misapplied. But here are some of the meanings of numbers (2) Signifies solidly confirming a matter (Revelation 11:3,4 compare Deuteronomy 17:6) (3) Denotes emphasis, also intensity (Revelation 4:8; 8:13; 16:13,19) (4) Signifies universalness or foursquareness in symmetry (Revelation 4:6; 7:1,2; 9:14) (6) Signifies imperfection, something not normal, monstrous. (Revelation 13:18; compare 2 Samuel 21:21) (7)Signifies divinely determined completeness, as to Jehovah's purpose or to Satan's (Revelation 1:4, 12, 16; 4:5; 5:1, 6) (10) Signifies allness or completeness in a physical way, as to things on earth (Revelation 2:10; 12:3; 13:1) (12)Signifies a divinely constituted organization either in the heavens or on earth. (Revelation 7:5-8; 12:1; 21:12) (24) Signifies Jehovah's abundant (doubled) organizational arrangement (Revelation 4:4)

Answer 3

The book gets its name Numbers, as the first census was taken of the Jews. And who all went to the promised land.

It also includes a second census. One taken at Mount Sinai and later on the Plains of Moab (chapters 1-4, 26). Though it is called "Numbers"(Arithmoi in the Greek Septuigent) it is called 'Bemidhbar' by the Jews, which means 'Wilderness'. Though a small section (Numbers 7:1-88 and 9:1-15) is background information, the book primarily covers the time Israel spent in the wilderness south and east of Canaan, and covers nearly 39 years between 1512-1473 B.C.E. (Numbers 1:1, Deuteronomy 1:3).

It's possible to divide the book of Numbers into three parts.

**Numbers 1:1-10:10 Events at Mt Sinai

**Numbers 10-21 The next 38 years in the wilderness to arrival at Moab

**Numbers 22-36 The Israelites on the Plains of Moab as they prepared to enter the Promised Land.

Answer 4

The English name 'Numbers' is due to the fact that the translators of the Septuagint - Greek Translation of the Old Testament finished in circa 150 BC - gave this book this name which refers to the two prominent census lists contained within. The Israelites were getting ready to enter into the Promised Land - thus the long lists in this book is like their 'final roll call' before their upcoming battles - first census of those men of war of the first generation who had left Egypt but failed and died in the desert due to their faithless actions and the second census numbered the men of war of the second generation.

Answer 5

Numbers, which according to tradition was written by Moses (Deuteronomy 31:24), is intended for the Israelites. It contains many Torah-lessons concerning the relationship between our conduct and that of God (see, for example, Numbers ch.11, 12-14, 16-17, 20-21, and 25). All of our history is intended as a lesson for us (Deuteronomy 32:7).

Answer 6

The beginning chapters deal with the census (the numbering) of the Israelite tribes.

Answer 7

It is the 4th book of the Bible.

The 1st is Genesis (sometimes called "the Book of Beginnings" ), then come:

2nd. Exodus

3rd. Leviticus

4th. Numbers

Answer 8

Because it contains more numbers, lists and censuses than any other of the Books. See Numbers ch.1,2,3,4,10,13,26,31,33 and 34.