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In The Wilderness
1. The People Complain About Their Diet
2. The Lord Brings Quail From The Sea
3. Miriam And Aaron Find Fault With Moses' Wife
4. Moses Sends Spies To Canaan
5. The People Complain Again
6. Korah, Dathan And Abiram
7. Aaron's Rod Budded
8. Moses Strikes The Rock A Second Time
9. Edom Refuses Passage
10. Aaron Dies
11. A Canaanite King Attacks Israel
12. The Bronze Serpent
13. Israel Defeats The Amorites
14. Israel Defeats Og The King Of Bashan
15. Moab Hires Balaam To Curse Israel
16. Balaam Cannot Curse Israel
17. Balaam Blesses Israel
18. Israel Sins
19. Five Women Make Their Case
20. Moses Ordains Joshua To Take His Place
21. Israel Defeat The Midianites
22. The Tribes Of Reuben And Gad Ask To Settle In Gilead
23. Reuben And Gad Promise To Help The Other Tribes Take The Rest Of Canaan
24. God's Instructions To Drive Out The Inhabitants Of Canaan
25. Instructions For The Cities Of Refuge
26. Laws Of Marriage And Inheritance
1. The People Complain About Their Diet - Back to Page Index
Numbers 11:1-9
The people began complaining and the LORD became angry when He heard it. His fire consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. The people then cried out to Moses and he prayed to the LORD. Then the fire died out. The name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them.

The mixed multitude among them lusted for flesh food. They remembered the fish they ate for free in Egypt, and the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. They complained that their appetite was gone when all they had was this manna.

Manna was like coriander seed, reddish brown in color. The people gathered it and ground it between two millstones. They could also beat it in a mortar. Sometimes they would boil it and make cakes which tasted like they had been baked with oil. When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna fell with it.

2. The Lord Brings Quail From The Sea - Back to Page Index
Numbers 11:10-35
Moses heard the people weeping in the doorways of their tents. The LORD's anger was kindled and Moses was also displeased. So he asked the LORD, "Why have You been so hard on Your servant? Haven't I found favor in Your sight? Why do You lay the burden of this people on me? Did I bring this people into existence? Am I to carry them in my bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, all the way to the land You swore to their fathers? Where can I get meat to give all these people? They are weeping before me, saying, 'Give us meat to eat.' These people are too large a burden for me to carry all by myself. So if this is how You are dealing with me, and I have found favor in your sight, please slay me right now so that I do not have to look at my own wretchedness."

The LORD then said to Moses, "Gather seventy men of the elders of Israel, and bring them to the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand with you. Then I will come down and speak with you and place the Spirit Who is upon you on them as well. And they shall bear the burden of the people with you so that you will not bear it all alone. Say to the people, sanctify yourselves for tomorrow you shall eat meat. The LORD has heard your weeping for meat, because you thought that you were better off in Egypt. You shall eat meat, but not for just one day, nor two days, nor five days, nor twenty days, but for a whole month until it comes out of your nostrils and is loathsome to you. This will happen to you because you have rejected the LORD and wished you were back in Egypt."

Moses said to the LORD, "There are six hundred thousand men, and yet You say you will give them meat for a whole month. If flocks and herds were slaughtered would this be possible? Even if all the fish of the sea were gathered, would that be enough?" The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD's power limited? Now you will see whether or not My word will come true."

So Moses went out and told the people the words of the LORD. He gathered seventy elders and stationed them around the tabernacle. Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. And the Spirit that was upon Moses He also placed on the seventy elders. When the Spirit had rested on them they prophesied. However, this was the only occasion when this happened. Two of the elders had remained in the camp and had not come to the tabernacle. They were Eldad and Medad. And the Spirit rested on them as well, for they were among those chosen as elders. And they prophesied in the camp. Young man ran and told Moses that Eldad and Medad were prophesying in the camp. Then Joshua the son of Nun, who attended Moses, said, "Moses, my lord, restrain them." But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the LORD's people were prophets and that He would place His Spirit upon every one of them!" Then Moses and the elders returned to the camp.

Now the LORD caused a wind to blow. It brought quail to the camp from the sea. They piled up about two cubits deep all around the camp. The people spent all day, all night and all the next day gathering quail. The least gathered by anyone was ten homers. While they were eating the meat the LORD's anger was kindled against the people and He struck them with a severe plague. So the name of that place was called Kibroth-Hattaavah, because the people buried those who had been greedy.

From Kibroth-Hattaavah the people set out for Hazeroth and remained there.

3. Miriam And Aaron Find Fault With Moses' Wife - Back to Page Index
Numbers 12:1-16
Then Miriam and Aaron spoke up against Moses, because of his Cushite wife. They said, "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Hasn't He spoken through us as well?" And the LORD heard their words. Now Moses was more humble than any man on earth.

Suddenly the LORD called Moses, Aaron and Miriam to the tabernacle of the congregation. So the three of them went. Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the doorway of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam forward. He said to them, "Hear now My words. If there is a prophet among you, I will make Myself known to him in a vision or a dream. But it not so with My servant Moses. He is the most faithful in all My household. With him I speak openly mouth to mouth. I do not use dark hard to understand sayings, but I speak plainly with him. Why then were you not afraid to speak against him?" So the LORD's anger burned against them and He departed. And when the cloud had gone up from the tent, Aaron turned toward Miriam and saw that she had become leprous, as white as snow. Then Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord, I beg you, do not hold this sin against us. We acted foolishly. Please, do not let her be as one who is dead, whose flesh is half eaten by leprosy."

And Moses cried to the LORD, saying, "O God, heal her, I pray!" But the LORD said to Moses, "If her father were to spit on her would she not bear the shame for seven days? Let her be shut outside of camp for seven days. After that she may be received into camp again." So Miriam was shut out of the camp for seven days, and the people did not move until Miriam had been received back into the camp.

After that the people moved out from Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran.

4. Moses Sends Spies To Canaan - Back to Page Index
Numbers 13:1-33
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Send men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am going to give to the children of Israel. You shall send one man who is a leader from each of the tribes of Israel." So Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran as the LORD had commanded. All of them were leaders in Israel. Their names were:
Shammua the son of Zaccur from the tribe of Reuben,
Shaphat the son of Hori from the tribe of Simeon,
Caleb the son of Jephunneh from the tribe of Judah,
Igal the son of Joseph from the tribe of Issachar,
Hoshea the son of Nun from the tribe of Ephraim, (this was Joshua)
Palti the son of Raphu from the tribe of Benjamin,
Gaddiel the son of Sodi from the tribe of Zebulun,
Gaddi the son of Susi from the tribe of Joseph,
Ammiel the son of Gemalli from the tribe of Dan,
Sethur the son of Michael from the tribe of Asher,
Nahbi the son of Vophsi from the tribe of Naphtali,
And Geuel the son of Machi from the tribe of Gad.

These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. But Moses called Hoshea the son of Nun, Joshua.

When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, "Go up into the Negev and the hill country beyond." He said, "See what the land is like and whether the people are strong or weak, few or many. Determine if the land is good or bad. What are the cities like? Are they walled or do the people live in tents? Is the land productive? Are there trees? Try to bring back some of the fruit," for it was the time of the first ripe grapes.

So they went up and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, at Hamath. When they had passed through the Negev, they came to Hebron where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, descendants of Anak lived. Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt. In the valley of Eshcol they cut a single cluster of grapes that they carried on a pole between two men. They also collected some pomegranates and figs. In later times that place was known by the name of Eshcol because of the grapes the spies brought back from it. After forty days they returned from searching out the land. Coming to Moses, Aaron and all the congregation of the children of Israel at Kadesh in the wilderness of Paran, they told of what they had seen, and showed them the fruit they had brought back. They said, "We went into the land where you sent us. And it certainly does flow with milk and honey. And you see the fruit we brought back. But the fact is, the people of the land are strong and the cities are large and fortified, and we saw the descendants of Anak. Amelek is living in the Negev and the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country. And the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan." Then Caleb quieted the people standing before Moses, and said, "We must go up and take possession of the land, for we shall surely overcome it." But the other men who had gone up with him said, "We are not able to go up against this people for they are too strong for us." So most of them brought an evil report to the children of Israel, saying, "The inhabitants of the land are of great size and are too strong for us to overcome. We saw the giants, the sons of Anak. Compared to them we were like grasshoppers."

5. The People Complain Again - Back to Page Index
Numbers 14:1-45
The entire congregation began to weep. They cried all that night. All the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron, saying to them, "It would have been better for us to have died in Egypt! Even dying in the wilderness would have been better. Why is the LORD bringing us into this land just to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and little ones will become plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?" So they decided to appoint a leader to take them back to Egypt.

Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces in the presence of all the children of Israel. Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, two of the spies, tore their clothes. They spoke to the congregation, saying, "The land we saw was exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land to give it to us. This is a land flowing with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not fear the people of the land. They will be our prey. Their protection has been removed, for the LORD is with us."

The entire congregation decided to stone Moses and Aaron. Then the glory of the LORD appeared in the tent of meeting and all Israel saw it. The LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people provoke Me by not believing Me, even though they have seen all the signs which I performed among them? I will smite them with pestilence and disinherit them. Then I will make a greater nation from you." But Moses replied to the LORD, "If You destroy them, the Egyptians will hear of it. They know of how You have been in the midst of this people, leading them out of Egypt and going before them in a pillar of cloud by day and in a pillar of fire by night. If You slay them the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, 'The LORD was not able to bring them into the land He promised to them. He has slain them in the wilderness.' I pray now that You will display Your power, just as You have declared. The LORD who is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression. By no means do You clear the guilty, but visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generations. I pray that You will pardon the iniquity of this people according to Your great loving kindness, just as You have been forgiving them since You brought them up out of Egypt."

So the LORD said, "At your request I have pardoned them. But as I live, all the earth will be filled with the glory of the LORD. Surely all the men have seen My glory and My signs which I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness, and yet they have tested Me these ten times by not listening to My voice, so they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers. They have spurned Me and shall not enter into it. However, My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me fully. Therefore, I will bring him into the land, and he and his descendants shall possess it. Since the Amalekites and the Canaanites live in the valleys, turn tomorrow and set out for the wilderness by the way of the Red Sea."

The LORD spoke again to Moses and Aaron, saying, "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation which murmur and complain against Me? Say to them, 'As I live,' says the LORD, 'Just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I shall do to you.' Your corpses will fall in the wilderness, every one of you who grumbled against Me who is twenty years and older. You will not come into the land where I swore to settle you, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. Your children whom you said would become prey, I will bring into that land which you have rejected. But as for you, your corpses will fall in this wilderness. Your sons shall be shepherds for forty years in the wilderness. They will suffer for your unfaithfulness until you die in this wilderness. You shall bear your guilt for forty years, a year for every day you spied out the land, and you will know why I am not keeping My promise to you. I, the LORD, have spoken. Surely I will do all this to the evil congregation gathered against Me in this wilderness. Here you shall die."

The men whom Moses had sent to spy out the land who had brought back a bad report to the congregation, died from a plague before the LORD. But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh did not die though they had been among those who went up to spy out the land.

When Moses had repeated to the people all the words the LORD had spoken, they mourned greatly. In the morning they got up early and went up to the edge of the hill country, saying, "Here we are. We have sinned, but we will go up to the place which the LORD has promised." But Moses said to them, "Why are you sinning against the commandment of the LORD? You will not succeed. Do not go lest you be struck down before your enemies, for the LORD is not going with you. You will fall by the sword before the Amalekites and the Canaanites, because you are not following the LORD's command. Therefore, He will not be with you." But they went up anyway. Neither the ark of the covenant nor Moses left the camp.

Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in the hill country came down and struck them, beating them back as far as Hormah.

6. Korah, Dathan And Abiram - Back to Page Index
Numbers 16:1-50
Now Korah the son of Izhar, the grandson of Kohath, the great grandson of Levi, along with Dathan and Abiram, and the sons of Eliab and On, the sons of Peleth and Reuben, took action, rising up before Moses along with some of the children of Israel. There were two hundred and fifty princes of the congregation who were well known men from the assembly. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You have gone far enough. All the congregation is holy and the LORD is in their midst. So why do you exalt your yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?" When Moses heard this he fell on his face. He said to Korah and the rest of his men, "Tomorrow morning the LORD will show who He has chosen and who is holy, and bring him near to Himself. Tomorrow each of you shall take a censer, and place fire in it. Then you will lay incense on the fire in the presence of the LORD. The man the LORD chooses shall be the one who is holy. You have gone far enough, you sons of Levi!"

Then Moses said to Korah, "Hear now, you sons of Levi, isn't it enough that the God of Israel has chosen you out of the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and stand before the people ministering to them? He has brought you near to Him, Korah, you and your brothers, sons of Levi. Are you wanting the priesthood also? You and your company have gathered together against the LORD. And what reason can you have for grumbling against Aaron?"

Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they would not come. They said, "Isn't it enough that you have brought us out of the land flowing with milk and honey so that we may die here in the wilderness? And now you lord it over us, for you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Would you also put out our eyes? We will not come to you!" Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, "Do not have regard for their offering. I have never taken a single donkey from them or done them any harm."

Moses said to Korah, "You and all your company be present before the LORD tomorrow. Aaron will be there, too. All two hundred and fifty of you will each take his censer, place incense on it and bring it before the LORD. Aaron will bring his censor as well."

On the next day they each took a censor and placed fire in it. Then they laid incense on the fire and stood at the doorway of the tabernacle of the congregation with Moses and Aaron.

Korah had assembled all the congregation against Moses and Aaron at the tent of meeting. And the glory of the LORD appeared to everyone who had assembled. Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, "Separate yourselves from among this congregation. I will consume them in a moment." But Moses and Aaron fell on their faces and said, "O God, God of all flesh, when one man sins will You be angry with the entire congregation?"

So the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Tell the congregation to get away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan and Abiram." Moses got up, and taking the elders of Israel, went to Dathan and Abiram. He spoke to the congregation, saying, "Get away from the tents of these wicked men. Touch nothing belonging to them, or you will be swept away with them in their sin." So the people moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram stood in the doorway of their tents with their wives and little ones. Moses said, "By this you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these deeds. What happens next is not my doing. If these men die a natural death then the LORD has not sent me. But if the LORD brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opened up and swallows them alive with all that is theirs, then you will understand that these men have provoked the LORD." As he finished speaking the ground under them split open, "and the earth swallowed them, with their households, and all those who belonged to Korah with their possessions." They all went down alive into the pit and the earth closed over them. They perished from the midst of the congregation. Everyone around them fled as those going down cried out, for they feared that they might go down with them. Then fire came from the LORD and consumed the two hundred and fifty men who were offering incense.

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Tell Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, to take up the censers out of the midst of the blaze, for they are holy, and scatter the burning coals. Take the censers of the men who lost their lives and hammer them into sheets to make a covering for the altar. These censers are holy because they were presented before the LORD. They shall be a sign to the children of Israel."

So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers and had them hammered out as a plating for the altar. They were to be a reminder to the children of Israel that no person who is not of the seed of Aaron is to come near to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become as Korah and his company, just as the LORD has spoken through Moses.

The next day the entire congregation of the children of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, "You caused the death of the LORD's people." As the congregation assembled against Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared in the cloud over the tabernacle. Then Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting, and the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Get away from among the congregation so that I may consume them in an instant." Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces. Moses told Aaron to take his censer, put fire from the alter in it and lay incense on it and go among the congregation and make atonement for them, for the plague from the LORD had already begun. So Aaron took his censer and ran through the midst of the assembly to make atonement for the people and stop the plague that had come from the LORD. He stood between the living and the dead and the plague was checked. But those who died from the plague were 14,700, besides those who died because of Korah. When the plague had been checked, Aaron returned to Moses at the doorway of the tent of meeting.

7. Aaron's Rod Budded - Back to Page Index
Numbers 17:1-13
Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the children of Israel and ask them to provide a rod from each of the twelve tribes, one for each leader. Write the name of each leader on the rod from that tribe. And write Aaron's name on the rod of Levi. You shall then place the rods in the tent of meeting in front of the ark of the testimony where I meet with you. I will cause the rod to blossom that belongs to the man I have chosen. This will cause the grumbling against you to stop among the children of Israel." So Moses spoke to the leaders and each gave his rod, one from each of the twelve tribes. Aaron's rod was among them. Moses placed the rods before the LORD in the tabernacle.

The next day, Moses went into the tabernacle and found that the Aaron's rod from the house of Levi had budded and brought forth blossoms and almonds. Moses brought all the rods out from the presence of the LORD for all Israel to see. Each man took his rod. But the LORD said to Moses, "Place Aaron's rod before the ark of testimony, to be kept as a sign against rebels, that they may stop grumbling so that they do not die." So Moses did as the LORD commanded. Then the children of Israel said to Moses, "Behold we will all perish. Everyone who comes near to the tabernacle of the LORD shall die. Will we all be consumed?"

8. Moses Strikes The Rock A Second Time - Back to Page Index
Numbers 20:1-13
The children of Israel came to the wilderness of Zin in the first month and stayed at Kadesh. Miriam died and was buried there. They had no water and they gathered together against Moses and Aaron. They contended with Moses, saying, "If only we had perished with our brothers when they perished before the LORD. Why have you brought the congregation of the LORD into this wilderness so that we and our animals will die? Why did you even bring us out of Egypt to this wretched place? This is not a place of grain, figs, vines or pomegranates. There isn't even any water to drink." Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the doorway of the tabernacle of the congregation and fell on their faces, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Take Aaron's rod and gather the assembly together. You are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it shall give water to the congregation that they and their animals may drink." So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as he had been commanded, and with Aaron he gathered the congregation together before the rock. Moses said to them, "Listen, you rebels, must we bring water out of this rock?" Then Moses lifted up the rod and struck the rock twice with the rod. Water gushed out and the congregation and their animals drank.

But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Since you did not show proper belief in Me, and did not treat Me as holy while Israel watched, you will not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." Those were the waters of Meribah because the children of Israel contended with the LORD, and He proved Himself holy among them.

9. Edom Refuses Passage - Back to Page Index
Numbers 20:14-21
From Kadesh Moses sent messengers to the king of Edom, saying, "You know of all the hardship your brother Israel has endured. Our fathers went to Egypt for a long time and the Egyptians treated us and our fathers badly. We cried to the LORD and He heard us and sent His angel and brought us out of Egypt. Behold, now we are at the edge of your territory in Kadesh. Please allow us to pass through your land. We will not trample your fields or vineyards. We will not even drink water from one of your wells. We will go along the king's highway and turn neither to the right or the left until we have passed through your territory." But Edom replied, "You shall not pass through our territory, or we will come out against you with the sword." Again the children of Israel said to the king, "We will stay on the highway and if one of us or our cattle drink your water we will pay for it. Please let us pass through." But he replied, "You shall not pass through." And Edom came out against them with many soldiers making a strong show of force. Thus Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through his territory. So they turned away from Edom.

10. Aaron Dies - Back to Page Index
Numbers 20:22-29
The children of Israel journeyed from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor. Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron at Mount Hor by the border of the land of Edom, saying, "Aaron will be gathered to his people, for he shall not enter the land that I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up to Mount Hor. Strip Aaron of his garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will die there." So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and the congregation watched them as they climb Mount Hor. After Moses had removed Aaron's garments and put them on Eleazar, Aaron died there on the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. When all the congregation saw that Aaron had died, they wept for him for thirty days.
11. A Canaanite King Attacks Israel - Back to Page Index
Numbers 21:1-3
When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming the way the spies had previously come, he fought against them, and took some as prisoners. So Israel made a vow to the LORD, saying, "If You will deliver this people into our hand, then we will utterly destroy their cities." The LORD heard the voice of Israel and delivered up the Canaanites to them, and they completely destroyed their cities. The place was called Hormah.

12. The Bronze Serpent - Back to Page Index
Numbers 21:4-9
Then they set out for Mount Hor by way of the Red Sea so they could go around Edom. This journey discouraged the people. They spoke against God and Moses, saying, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in this wilderness? There is no good food or water and we loathe this manna." The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people and many of them died. So the people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and you. Intercede for us that the LORD may remove the serpents." So Moses prayed for the people. Then the LORD said to Moses, "Make a fiery serpent and set it on a pole. Anyone who has been bitten and looks at this fiery serpent, shall live." So Moses made a bronze serpent and set it up on a pole. Then those bitten by a serpent were healed when they looked up at the bronze serpent.

13. Israel Defeats The Amorites - Back to Page Index
Numbers 21:21-32
Israel sent messengers to Sihon, the king of the Amorites, saying, "Let us pass through your land. We will not turn into your fields or vineyards. We will not drink the water from your wells. We will stay on the King's highway until we pass your borders." But Sihon would not permit Israel to pass through his land. He gathered all his people and went against Israel in the wilderness at Jahaz. Then Israel struck Sihon with the sword and took his land from the Arnon to the Jabbok, which was the border of Ammon. Israel took all the cities of the Amorites, including Heshbon and all her villages. Heshbon was the city of Sidon, king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken all his land as far as Arnon.

It became a proverb: "Come into Heshbon, let the city of Sihon be built and prepared. For a fire went out from Heshbon and a flame from the city of Sihon. It consumed Ar of Moab and the lords of the high places in Arnon. Woe to you, O Moab! You are ruined. O Chemosh. Those of you who escaped have gone into captivity to Sihon king of the Amorites. But we have cast them down. Heshbon is ruined as far as Dibon. We have laid them to waste as far as Nophah, even to Medeba." Thus Israel lived in the land of the Amorites.

Moses sent men to spy out Jazer and they captured its villages and drove out the Amorites that were there.

14. Israel Defeats Og The King Of Bashan - Back to Page Index
Numbers 21:33-35
Then they turned and went up by way of Bashan. Og the king of Bashan came out with all his people for battle at Edrei. But the LORD said to Moses, "Do not be afraid of him, for I have deliver him and all his people into your hand. You shall do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites." So they killed him and his sons and all his people until there were none left, and they possessed his land.
15. Moab Hires Balaam To Curse Israel - Back to Page Index
Numbers 22:1-41
Then the children of Israel journeyed and camped in the plains of Moab east of the Jordan River and opposite Jericho. Balak the son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites. Moab was in a state of great fear because of Israel. There were so many Israelites. Balak said to the elders of Midian, "This horde will lick up all of us, like an ox pulling in grass with its tongue." Balak was the king of Moab at the time. He sent messengers to Balaam the son of Beor, at Pethor, which is by the Jordan, saying, "There is a people who have come out of Egypt and they cover the earth. And now they are against me. Please come and curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Then, perhaps, I can defeat them and drive them out of the land. I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed." So the elders of Moab and the elders of Midian took money to pay Balaam for his services and told him all that Balak had said. Balaam told them to spend the night and he would bring word from the LORD when he heard what He had to say. That night God came to Balaam and said, "Who are the men staying with you?" Balaam said to God, "Balak, king of Moab has sent word to me. Behold, there is a people who came out of Egypt and they cover the surface of the earth. He has asked me to curse them so that he will be able to drive them out of the land." God said to Balaam, "Do not go with these men to curse this people, for they are blessed."

So Balaam arose in the morning and said to Balak's leaders, "Go back to your land, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you." The leaders of Moab returned to Balak and told him that Balaam had refused to come with them.

Then Balak sent more distinguished leaders to Balaam. They said to him, "Balak the son of Zippor asks that you let nothing hinder you from coming to him. He plans to honor you with riches and he will do whatever you say. He asks that you come and curse this people for him." Balaam replied, "Even if Balak were to give me a house full of gold, I cannot do anything contrary to the command of the LORD my God. Please stay the night and I will see what the LORD has to say to me."

God came to Balaam that night and said to him, "If the men want you to go with them, get up and go with them. But you will only be able to speak the words I give you."

So Balaam got up the next morning, saddled his donkey and went with the leaders of Moab. But God was angry with him for going. The angel of the LORD stood in his way as an adversary. Balaam was riding his donkey and had two servants with him. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in his way with a drawn sword, he turned off the path into a field. Balaam struck the donkey to bring her back on the path. Then the angel of the LORD stood at a narrow place in a path through some vineyards. The path went between two walls. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed herself against the wall so that Balaam's foot was scraped against the wall. So he struck her again. The angel of the LORD went farther and stood in a narrow place where there was no place for the donkey to turn aside. Seeing the angel of the LORD in this place the donkey lay down under Balaam, who then became so angry he struck the donkey with his staff. Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth and she spoke to Balaam, saying, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" Balaam answered, saying, "Because you have mocked me. If I had a sword I would kill you right now." The donkey said, "I am your donkey and I have carried you all my life. Have I ever done this before?"

Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way with his sword drawn. Balaam fell on his face and bowed to the ground. The angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey three times? I have come against you because you are going contrary to my command. But the donkey saw me and turned aside three times. If she had not turned aside I would have surely killed you and let her live." Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not know that you were standing in the way against me. To please you I will now turn back." But the angel of the LORD said to him, "Go with the men, but you shall speak only the words I give to you." So Balaam went with Balak's leaders.

When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the city of Moab on the Arnon border which is at the edge of Moab. Balak said to Balaam, "I made an urgent call to you and you were slow in coming. How can I honor you under these circumstances?" Balaam replied, "See, now I have come. But I will only be able to speak the words the LORD puts into my mouth."

And Balaam went with Balak to Kiriathhuzoth. Balak sacrificed oxen and sheep and sent some to Balaam and to the leaders with him. After this he brought Balaam to a high place of Baal overlooking some of the children of Israel.

16. Balaam Cannot Curse Israel - Back to Page Index
Numbers 23:1-30
Balaam told Balak to build seven altars and prepare seven oxen and seven rams. Balak did as Balaam directed. Then Balaam offered up a bull and a ram on each altar. After this Balaam said to Balak, "Stand beside your burnt offering while I go and pray. Perhaps the LORD will come to meet me. Whatever He shows me I will tell you." So Balaam went to a high bare hill. Now God met Balaam and Balaam said to God, "I have set up seven altars and have offered a bull and a ram on each." Then the LORD put words in Balaam's mouth and told him to return to Balak and what he should say.

So Balaam returned to Balak who was standing beside his burnt offering along with all his leaders.

Balaam spoke this parable: "Balak the king of Moab brought me from Amram, out of the mountains from the east. He asked me to curse Jacob and defy Israel. How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those the LORD has not denounced? I see this people from among the rocks on the hill top. These people shall dwell alone and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Who can count the descendants of Jacob, even a fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous and let my end be like his!"

Then Balak said, "What have you done to me? I asked you to curse my enemies and you have blessed them!" Balaam replied, "I must be careful to say what the LORD puts in my mouth?"

Then Balak said to him, "Please come to a different place where you can see a different part of them. Please curse these others for me." And Balak took Balaam to the field belonging to Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each. Balaam told Balak to stand by his burnt offering while he went away to meet the LORD. Then the LORD met with Balaam and put words in his mouth and said, "Return to Balak, and tell him what I tell you to speak." Balaam came to Balak while he was still standing beside his burnt offering. His leaders stood there with him. Balak said, "What has the LORD said?" Then Balaam took up his parable and said, "Arise, Balak, and hear me, O son of Zippor! God is not a man. He cannot lie and He does not repent. He stands by whatever He says and He will not change His mind. He has commanded me to bless. I cannot reverse this blessing. He has not seen iniquity in Jacob nor has He seen perverseness in Israel. The LORD God is with him and the shout of a king is among them. God brought them out of Egypt. He is for them with strength of the wild ox. For there is no omen against Jacob nor is there a prediction against Israel. At the proper time it shall be said of Israel, 'See what God has done!' Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion in it prime. He shall not lie down until his prey is devoured and he drinks the blood of the slain."

Then Balak said to Balaam, "Do not curse them and do not bless them!" But Balaam said, "Didn't I tell you that I can only say what the LORD speaks through me?"

Then Balak said, "Let's go to another place. Perhaps it will please God to curse them from that place." So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor which overlooks toward Jeshimon. Balaam told Balak to build seven altars and prepare seven bulls and seven rams in this new location. Balak did this and Balaam offered up the bulls and the rams as before.

17. Balaam Blesses Israel - Back to Page Index
Numbers 24:1-25
When Balaam saw that the LORD was pleased to bless Israel, he no longer tried to seek omens against them. Instead he set his face toward the wilderness. As he looked he saw Israel camping by tribes and the Spirit of God came upon him. Taking up his discourse he said, "This is the oracle of Balaam, whose eyes have been opened. He hears the words of God and sees visions of the Almighty. His eyes have been uncovered. How fair are your tents, O Jacob, your dwellings, O Israel. You are like valleys that stretch out, like gardens by the river. You are like aloes planted by the LORD, and cedars beside the waters. Water will flow from his buckets, and his seed will be by many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag, his kingdom shall be exalted. God brings him out of Egypt. He is for him with the strength of the wild ox. He will devour the nations who are his adversaries. And He will crush them scattering them with his arrows. He crouches and lies down like a lion. Who would dare to rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you and cursed is everyone who curses you."

Then Balak's anger burned against Balaam. Striking his hands together, he said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, but you continue to bless them! Therefore, get away from here quickly. I would have honored you greatly, but the LORD has kept you from this honor." Balaam said, "Didn't I make this plain to your messengers, when I said, 'Though Balak should give me a room full of gold and silver, I can do nothing contrary to the command of the LORD? What the LORD says, I must say.' And now. I am going to my people. If you wish, you may come to me to find out what this people will do to your people in the coming days." Then he continued his discourse, saying, "The oracle of Balaam, the son of Beor, the oracle of a man whose eyes have been opened, the oracle of him who hears the words of God and knows the knowledge of the Most High. He saw the vision of the Almighty while in a trance. His eyes have been opened. I see him, but not now. I behold him, but not near. A star shall come forth from Jacob, a scepter shall rise out of Israel. It will smite Moab and tear down the children of Sheth. Edom shall be a possession. Seir shall also be a possession for his enemies. And Israel shall do valiantly. Out of Jacob shall come Him who has dominion. He shall destroy the remnant from the city."

And he looked at Amalek and continued his discourse, saying, "Amalek was the first of nations, but his end shall be destruction."

And he looked at the Kenite, and said, "Your dwelling place is enduring. Your nest is set in a cliff. Nevertheless, the Kenite will be consumed until Asshur takes you captive." And he continued, saying, "Who can live except God ordains it? Ships shall come from the coast of Chittim, and afflict Asshur and Eber. These shall also be destroyed." Then Balaam arose and departed to his own place and Balak went his way.

18. Israel Sins - Back to Page Index
Numbers 25:1-18
While Israel remained in Shittim the people committed whoredom with the daughters of Moab. Moab had invited the people of Israel to sacrifices to their gods. The people of Israel ate with them and bowed down to their gods. In this way Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor. And the LORD was angry. The LORD said to Moses, "Take all the leaders of the people and execute them before the LORD that His anger may be turned away from Israel." So Moses said to the judges of Israel, "Each of you is to slay the men of your tribe who have joined themselves to Baal of Peor."

Then it happened that one of the children of Israel brought a Midianite woman to his relatives in the sight of Moses and all the congregation of the children of Israel while they wept before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. When Phinehas, the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron saw this, he arose from the midst of the congregation and taking a spear in his hand, went after the man into the tent and thrust it through both the man of Israel and the Midianite woman. So the plague on the children of Israel was stayed. There were 24,000 that died in the plague. Then the LORD said to Moses, "because Phinehas the son of Eleazar and grandson of Aaron the priest was jealous for Me, My wrath was turned away from the children of Israel and I have not destroy all of them. Therefore, tell him that I give him My covenant of peace, and it shall be for him and his descendants after him, for a perpetual priesthood, because he was jealous for his God and made atonement for the children of Israel."

Now the name of the slain man of Israel who was slain with the Midianite woman, was Zimri the son of Salu, a leader of his father's household among the Simeonites. The name of the Midianite woman who was slain with him was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur. He was head over a group of people and of a chief house in Midian.

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Strike the Midianites, for they have been hostile to you with their tricks with which they have deceived you in the affair of Peor concerning Cozbi, the daughter of the leader of Midian, who was slain on the day of the plague."

19. Five Women Make Their Case - Back to Page Index
Numbers 26:1-11
After the plague the LORD spoke to Moses and Eleazar, Aaron's son, saying, "Take a census of all the children of Israel twenty years and older, counting those old enough to go to war for Israel." So it was, on the plains of Moab by the river Jordon near Jericho, that Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke to the children of Israel. They said, "The LORD has commanded that a census be taken of the people twenty years and older, who came out of the land of Egypt."

Reuben, Israel's firstborn, the children of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; Of Pallu, the family of the Palluites. Of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; Of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. These are the families of the Reubenites, and those who were numbered of them were 43,730.

The son of Pallu, Eliab. The sons of Eliab: Nemuel and Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram who were called by the congregation, who contended against Moses and Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against the LORD, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up along with Korah, when that company died, when the fire devoured 250 men, so that they became a warning. However, the sons of Korah did not die.

20. Moses Ordains Joshua To Take His Place - Back to Page Index
Numbers 26:12-23
The sons of Simeon according to their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites, Of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites, Of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites, of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites, of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. These are the families of the Simeonites, 22,200.

The sons of Gad according to their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites, of Haggi, the family of the Haggites, of Shuni, the family of the Shunites, of Ozni, the family of the Oznites, of Eri, the family of the Erites, of Arod, the family of the Arodites, Of Areli, the family of the Arelites. These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were numbered of them, 40,500.

The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Judah according to their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites, of Perez, the family of the Perezites, of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites. The sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites, of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. These are the families of Judah according to those who were numbered of them, 76,500.

The sons of Issachar according to their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites, Of Puvah, the family of the Punites,

21. Israel Defeat The Midianites - Back to Page Index
Numbers 31:1-54
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Take vengeance on the Midianites for the children of Israel. After that you will be gathered to your people." So Moses spoke to the people, saying, "Arm men from among you for war, that they may go against Midian to execute the LORD's vengeance on them. Assemble a thousand from each tribe and arm them for war. So twelve thousand were armed and made ready." Moses sent them to war along with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, and the holy instruments and the trumpets for the alarm.

So they made war against Midian just as the LORD had commanded, and killed every male. They killed the five kings of Midian: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur and Reba. They also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. The children of Israel took all the women of Midian captive, with their little ones and their cattle, flocks and all their goods. They burned all their cities and camps, and took all the spoil, both man and beast. They brought the captives and all the spoil to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest and to all the children of Israel that were camped on the plain of Moab by the Jordan near Jericho. Moses, Eleazar the priest and all the leaders of the congregation met them outside of the camp.

Moses was angry with those in charge of the campaign, asking them, "Why have you spared the women? It is the women of Midian who cause the children of Israel through Balaam's council to sin against the LORD at Peor resulting in a plague from the LORD. Now kill every male among the little ones and all the women who have lain with a man. The women who have not known a man intimately you may spare for yourselves. Anyone who has killed someone, or touched a dead person must stay outside the camp for seven days and purify himself. This must also to be done for each captive on the third and seventh day. You shall purify every garment, every leather article, those things made from goat hair and every article of wood."

Then Eleazar the priest said to the men who had gone to battle, "The statute of the law which the LORD commanded Moses, says that the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin and lead, and anything that can stand the fire shall pass through the fire in order to be clean. Then it shall be washed with water. That which cannot withstand fire must be purified with water. You shall be clean on the seventh day after you wash your clothes. After that you may enter the camp."

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "You, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation count the booty, both of man and animal. Divide the booty between those who went to battle and the rest of the congregation. Levy a tax for the LORD from those who went to war: one in five hundred of the people, the cattle, donkeys and sheep. Give this to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the LORD. Then from the rest of the congregation take one in fifty of the people, cattle, donkeys and sheep and give these to the Levites who take care of the tabernacle of the LORD." Moses and Eleazar did just as the LORD had commanded Moses. The booty that the men of war had collected was 675,000 sheep, 72,000 cattle, 61,000 donkeys, and 32,000 women who had not been intimate with a man. To those who went out to war, was given 337,500 sheep, the LORD's portion was 675 sheep, from 36,000 cattle 72 were the LORD's, and of the 30,500 donkeys 61 belonged to the LORD. There were 16,000 women and 32 were the LORD's levy. Moses gave the LORD's portion to Eleazar the priest just as the LORD had commanded.

From the half given to the children of Israel who had not gone to war, there were 337,500 sheep, 36,000 cattle, 30,500 donkeys, and 16,000 women. From what was given to the children of Israel, Moses took one out of fifty of both man and animals, and gave them to the Levites who took care of the tabernacle of the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

The officers who were over thousands, and those over hundreds, approached Moses, and said to him, "We have taken a census of the men of war and no one is missing. So we have brought as an offering to the LORD what each man found. We have brought articles of gold and all kinds of jewelry, as an atonement for ourselves before the LORD." Moses and Eleazar the priest received these things from them. The gold received from them came to 16,750 shekels. This came from what the men of war had each taken as booty for themselves. So Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold and brought it to the tabernacle of the congregation as a memorial to the LORD.

22. The Tribes Of Reuben And Gad Ask To Settle In Gilead - Back to Page Index
Numbers 32:1-15
Now the sons of Reuben and the sons of Gad had a great number of livestock. When they saw the land of Jazer and Gilead, they saw that it was an excellent place for cattle. They spoke with Moses and Eleazar the priest as well as the leaders of the congregation, Ataroth, Dibon, Jazar, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo and Beon, saying to them, "the land which the LORD has conquered, is a good land for livestock, and your servants have livestock. If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as their possession. We will be happy on this side of the Jordan." But Moses said to the sons of Gad and Reuben, "Will your brothers go to war while you stay here? This will discourage them from crossing over into the land which the LORD has given them. This is what your fathers did when I sent them from KadeshBarnea to look at the land. They went to the valley of Eshcol and having seen the land they discouraged the children of Israel, thus preventing them from going into the land that the LORD had given them. So the LORD's anger burned against them on that day, and He said, 'None of the men who came out of Egypt, from twenty years and older, shall see the land I swore to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, because they did not follow Me.' Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite is the exception along with Joshua the son of Nun, for they followed the LORD fully. So the LORD's anger burned against Israel and He made them wander in the wilderness for forty years until the entire generation of those who had done evil in the sight of the LORD had died. Now behold, you have risen up in your father's place, a brood of sinful men, to add still more to the burning anger of the LORD against Israel. For if you turn from following Him, He will abandon Israel again in the wilderness, and you will be the cause."

23. Reuben And Gad Promise To Help The Other Tribes Take The Rest Of Canaan - Back to Page Index
Numbers 32:16-42
Then the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben came near to Moses and said, "We will not build sheepfolds or cities for our little ones. Instead we will be armed and ready to go with the children of Israel until they have been brought into their place. Our little ones will remain in the fortified cities of the land until the land is subdued. We will not return to our homes until every one of the children of Israel has received his inheritance. For we will not be with their inheritance on the west side of the Jordan, for ours is on the east side." So Moses said to them, "If you will do this, and arm yourselves before the LORD for war, and all of your armed men will cross over the Jordan before the LORD until He has driven out His enemies from the land, subduing the land before the LORD, then after that you shall return and be free of obligation to the LORD and Israel. And this land shall be your possession. But if you will not do this, you have sinned against the LORD, and you may be sure your sin will find you out. Build cities for yourselves and your families. Build sheepfold for your sheep, and do what you have promised." The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben said to Moses, "Your servants will do as the LORD has commanded. Our wives and little ones as well as our livestock and cattle shall remain in the cities of Gilead, while everyone of your servants who is armed for war will cross over before the LORD to do battle, just as the LORD has commanded." So Moses made a proclamation in the presence of Eleazar the high priest, and Joshua, and all the heads of the tribes of Israel. He said, "If the sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben cross over the Jordan to join you in battle to subdue the land, then you shall give them the land of Gilead as their possession. But if they do not keep their promise, their possession shall be among you in Canaan." The sons of Gad and the sons of Reuben answered, "As the LORD has said unto your servants, so we shall do. We will cross over armed in the presence of the LORD into Canaan, but our possession shall remain with us east of the Jordan." So Moses gave to the sons of Gad, the sons of Reuben and the half-tribe of Manasseh, the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og, the king of Bashan, the land with its cities, their territories and the surrounding land. The sons of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, and Atroth, Shophan, Jazar, Jogbehah, and BethNimrah and BethHaran as fortified cities with sheepfolds.

The sons of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, and Nebo, Baalmeon, whose names were changed, and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities which they built.

The sons of Machir, the Son of Manasseh went to Gilead and took it, dispossessing the Amorites who were there. So Moses gave Gilead to Machir the Son of Manasseh and he lived in it. Jair the Son of Manasseh took its towns and called them Havothjair. Nobah took Kenath and its villages and named it Nobah after himself.

24. God's Instructions To Drive Out The Inhabitants Of Canaan - Back to Page Index
Numbers 33:50-56
Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho. He said, "Tell the children of Israel that when they cross over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, they are to drive out all the inhabitants of the land, destroying any of their stones that have figures marked on them, as well as their molten images and all their high places. Tell them to take possession of the land, for I have given it to them."

"They are to divide up the land by lot as an inheritance for their families. The larger families shall receive more than the smaller families. To whom the lot falls, that land shall be his."

"And if they do not drive the inhabitants out of the land, then those that are allowed to remain shall become pricks in their eyes and thorns in their sides and continue to make trouble for the land. As a result, what I planned to do to them, so I will do to the children of Israel."

25. Instructions For The Cities Of Refuge - Back to Page Index
Numbers 35:1-34
Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab opposite Jericho, saying, "Command the children of Israel to give the Levites the cities that are to be their inheritance where they can live. You shall also give them the pasture land around the cities. These cities and pastures are to be for them, their cattle and all their beasts. The pasture land you give them with their cities shall extend one thousand cubits from the walls of the city. You shall also measure two thousand cubit out from every side of their cities to be their additional land. You shall give the Levites six cities of refuge to which the manslayer may flee. In addition to these cities, you shall give the Levites forty two cities, making a total of forty eight cities with their pasture lands."

"As to the cities that shall be a possession of the children of Israel, apportion them according to the size of their tribes, more to the larger and less to the smaller. Each shall give some of their cities to the Levites in proportion to the possessions given to them."

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Tell the children of Israel that when they come over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, they shall select cities of refuge for the manslayer to flee to when he has accidently killed someone. These cities shall be a refuge from the avenger so that the manslayer can get a fair trial from the congregation. There are to be six cities of refuge. Three of these cities shall be east of the Jordan and three cities on the west side in the land of Canaan. These six cities of refuge shall be for both the children of Israel, the stranger, and the sojourner, so that anyone who accidently kills someone has a place to flee. But if a person strikes someone down with an iron object, he is a murderer and shall be put to death. The same is true if he struck someone down with a stone. Or if he did it with a wooden object, he is still a murderer. The one avenging his blood shall put him to death when he meets him. If he pushes him out of hatred or in some way causes his death, or strikes him down causing his death, he shall surely be put to death for he is a murderer. But if the death was accidental, and it happened without intention because he did not seek his injury, then the congregation shall judge concerning the slayer and the avenger. The congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the avenger and restore him to his city of refuge to which he fled. He shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil. But if the manslayer should go beyond the border of his city of refuge where he has been living, and his blood avenger finds him outside the border of his city of refuge, if the avenger kills him he will not be guilty, because the man should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer may return to the land of his possessions."

"These things shall be for a statute of judgment throughout your generations in all your dwellings. If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death with the evidence provided by witnesses. No one shall be put to death on the evidence of one witness. In addition, you shall not take ransom for the life of a murderer. He shall surely be put to death. Neither shall you take ransom for one who has fled to his city of refuge so that he may return to his own city before the death of the high priest."

"So you shall not pollute the land in which you live. For blood pollutes the land nothing can cleanse the land where blood is shed, except the blood of him who shed it. You shall not defile the land where you live, for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the children of Israel."

26. Laws Of Marriage And Inheritance - Back to Page Index
Numbers 36:1-13
The chiefs of the families of the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, from the families of Joseph came to Moses and the head leaders of the children of Israel. They said, "The LORD commanded my lord to give the land by lot to the children of Israel as an inheritance, and my lord was commanded to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters. But should they marry someone from another tribe, their inheritance will transfer to that tribe and the land will be withdrawn from our alotted inheritance. And when the year of Jubilee comes, their inheritance will be added to the tribe they married in to. So the inheritance will be withdrawn from the tribe of our fathers."

Moses commanded the children of Israel according to the word of the LORD, saying, "The tribes of the sons of Joseph are correct in what they have said. Here is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: 'Let them marry whomever they wish, but they must marry within the tribe of their father.' No inheritance of the children of Israel shall be transferred from one tribe to another. Everyone of the children of Israel shall keep to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. And every daughter in any tribe of the children of Israel who comes into possession of an inheritance shall be wife to one from her own tribe so that each man of the children of Israel may retain the inheritance of his fathers. Thus no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another of the tribes of the children of Israel."

And the daughters of Zelophehad did just as the LORD had commanded Moses. These were Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah, who all married their uncles' sons, from the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, so that their inheritance remained with their father's tribe.

These are the commandments and ordinances which the LORD gave to the children of Israel through Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho.

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