Numbers, Book of

In the Hebrew version, this fourth book of the Bible is called “In the Wilderness” because of the first phrase of the book. It describes Israel’s wanderings in the wilderness. The name Numbers comes from the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The ancient translators called it Numbers because the beginning of the book and the end of the book tell the number of males over twenty years of age—those who could fight in battles. The book of Numbers also records the sad stories of Israel’s rebellion against God, Moses, and Aaron when the twelve spies returned from Canaan. Because of their lack of faith, God decided they would live in the wilderness for forty years—long enough for most of that generation to die. Numbers also includes the strange story of the prophet Balaam and how God would not allow him to curse the Israelites.