Introduction

The name of the book. In the Hebrew text, the fourth book of Moses is called:

1) “And He said” (“Vay-adabber”), corresponding to the first expression of the book;

2) “In the wilderness” (“Bemidbar”), according to the content of the book, and also to the further expression in verse 1 of its first chapter. Besides that, in the language of the Rabbis it bears the name

3) “Book of numbers” (“Sefer misparim”), due to the character of some sections of its content. For the same reason, in the Greek Bible the book received the name “Numbers” (“Arithmoi”), in the Latin “Numbers” (“Numen”), in the Slavonic and Russian — “Numbers”.

Its content. The book of Numbers contains an account of the journey of the Hebrews through the wilderness from Mount Sinai to the plains of Moab, that is, to the southeastern border of the promised land. Besides the account of the wanderings of the Hebrews and the indication of certain laws given by God to the chosen people in this regard, the book includes detailed information on the numbering of the people, the Levites, the firstborn, and the encampments during their movement.