Bible in 90 Days
8 The Lord said to Moses, “Make a bronze snake, and put it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, that person will live.” 9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole. Then when a snake bit anyone, that person looked at the bronze snake and lived [2 Kin. 18:4; John 3:14].
The Journey to Moab
10 The ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel] went and camped at Oboth. 11 They went from Oboth to Iye Abarim, in the ·desert [wilderness] east of Moab. 12 From there they went and camped in the Zered ·Valley [Wadi]. 13 From there they went and camped across the Arnon, in the ·desert [wilderness] just inside the Amorite country. The Arnon is the border between the Moabites and the Amorites. 14 That is why the Book of the Wars of the Lord [C a source now lost] says:
“ … and Waheb in Suphah, and the ·ravines [wadis],
the Arnon, 15 and the slopes of the ·ravines [wadis]
that lead to the settlement of Ar.
These places are at the border of Moab.”
16 The Israelites went from there to Beer; a well is there where the Lord said to Moses, “Gather the people and I will give them water.”
17 Then the Israelites sang this song:
“·Pour out water [Spring up], well!
Sing ·about [or to] it.
18 Princes dug this well.
·Important men [Leaders of the people] made it.
With their scepters and poles, they dug it.”
The people went from the ·desert [wilderness] to Mattanah. 19 From Mattanah they went to Nahaliel and on to Bamoth. 20 From Bamoth they went to the valley of Moab where the top of Mount Pisgah looks over the ·desert [wilderness].
Israel Kills Sihon and Og
21 The Israelites sent messengers to Sihon, king of the Amorites, saying, 22 “Let ·us [L me] pass through your country. We will not go through any fields of grain or vineyards, or drink water from the wells. We will travel only along the ·king’s road [King’s Highway; 20:17] until we have passed through your ·country [boundaries].”
23 But King Sihon would not let the Israelites pass through his ·country [boundaries]. He gathered his whole army together, and they marched out to meet Israel in the ·desert [wilderness]. At Jahaz they fought the Israelites. 24 Israel ·killed [L struck with the sword] the king and captured his land from the Arnon River to the Jabbok River. They took the land as far as the ·Ammonite border [L border of the sons of Ammon], which was strongly defended. 25 Israel captured all the Amorite cities and lived in them, taking Heshbon and all the towns around it. 26 Heshbon was the city where Sihon, the Amorite king, lived. In the past he had fought with the king of Moab and had taken all the land from his hand as far as the Arnon.
27 That is why the poets say:
“Come to Heshbon
and rebuild it;
·rebuild [establish] Sihon’s city.
28 A fire ·began in [L went out from] Heshbon;
flames came from Sihon’s city.
It destroyed Ar in Moab,
and it ·burned [or swallowed] the Arnon highlands.
29 ·How terrible for [T Woe to] you, Moab!
The people of Chemosh are ruined.
His sons ran away
and his daughters were captured
by Sihon, king of the Amorites.
30 But we defeated those Amorites.
We ruined their towns from Heshbon to Dibon,
and we destroyed them as far as Nophah, near Medeba.”
31 So Israel lived in the land of the Amorites.
32 After Moses sent spies to the town of Jazer, they captured ·the towns around it [its villages], forcing out the Amorites who lived there.
33 Then the Israelites went up the road toward Bashan. Og king of Bashan and his whole army marched out to meet the Israelites, and they fought at Edrei.
34 The Lord said to Moses, “Don’t be afraid of him. I will hand him, his whole army, and his land over to you. Do to him what you did to Sihon, the Amorite king who lived in Heshbon.”
35 So the Israelites ·killed [L struck] Og and his sons and all his army; no one was left alive. And they took his land [Deut. 1:4; 3:1–7; Ps. 135:11; 136:20].
Balak Sends for Balaam
22 Then the ·people [L sons/T children of] of Israel went to the plains of Moab, and they camped near the Jordan River across from Jericho.
2 Balak son of Zippor saw everything the Israelites had done to the Amorites. 3 And Moab ·was scared of [dreaded] so many Israelites; truly, Moab was terrified by them.
4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “·These people [L This community/assembly/congregation] will ·take [lick up] everything around us like an ox ·eating [licking] grass.”
Balak son of Zippor was the king of Moab at this time. 5 He sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, near the Euphrates River in ·his native land [or the land of Amaw]. Balak said, “A nation has come out of Egypt that covers the land. They have ·camped [L settled] next to me, 6 and they are too powerful for me. So come and put a curse on them. Maybe then I can defeat them and ·make them leave [drive them from] the area. I know that if you bless someone, the blessings happen, and if you put a curse on someone, it happens.”
7 The elders of Moab and Midian went with ·payment [L fee for divination] in their hands. When they found Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.
8 Balaam said to them, “Stay here for the night, and I will tell you what the Lord tells me.” So the Moabite leaders stayed with him.
9 God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”
10 Balaam said to God, “The king of Moab, Balak son of Zippor, sent them to me with this message: 11 ‘A ·nation [people] has come out of Egypt that ·covers [spreads over] the land. So come and put a curse on them, and maybe I can fight them and force them out of my land.’”
12 But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. Don’t put a curse on those people, because I have blessed them.”
13 The next morning Balaam ·awoke [rose] and said to Balak’s leaders, “Go back to your own country; the Lord has refused to let me go with you.”
14 So the Moabite leaders went back to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”
15 So Balak sent other leaders—this time there were more of them, and they were more ·important [distinguished]. 16 They went to Balaam and said, “Balak son of Zippor says this: Please don’t let anything stop you from coming to me. 17 I will ·pay you very well [make you wealthy; honor you], and I will do what you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.”
18 But Balaam answered Balak’s servants, “King Balak could give me his palace full of silver and gold, but I cannot ·disobey [transgress] the Lord my God in anything, great or small. 19 You stay here tonight as the other men did, and I will find out what more the Lord tells me.”
20 That night God came to Balaam and said, “These men have come to ask you to go with them. Go, but only do what I tell you.”
Balaam’s Donkey Speaks
21 Balaam got up the next morning and put a saddle on his donkey. Then he went with the Moabite leaders. 22 But God became angry because Balaam went, so the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord stood in the road to ·stop [challenge] Balaam. Balaam was riding his donkey, and he had two servants with him. 23 When the donkey saw the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, the donkey left the road and went into the field. Balaam ·hit [struck] the donkey to force her back on the road.
24 Later, the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord stood on a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 Again the donkey saw the angel of the Lord, and she walked close to one wall, ·crushing [squeezing; scraping] Balaam’s foot against it. So he ·hit [struck] her again.
26 The ·angel [messenger] of the Lord went ahead again and stood at a narrow place, too narrow to turn left or right. 27 When the donkey saw the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord, she lay down under Balaam. This made him so angry that he ·hit [struck] her with his stick. 28 Then the Lord made the donkey talk, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to make you ·hit [strike] me three times?”
29 Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made me look foolish! I wish I had a sword in my hand! I would kill you right now!”
30 But the donkey said to Balaam, “·I am [L Am I not…?] your very own donkey, which you have ridden for years. Have I ever done this to you before?”
“No,” Balaam said.
31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam and let Balaam see the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord, who was standing in the road with his sword drawn in his hand. Then Balaam bowed facedown on the ground.
32 The ·angel [messenger] of the Lord asked Balaam, “Why have you ·hit [struck] your donkey three times? I have stood here to ·stop [challenge] you, because what you are doing is wrong. 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me three times [C it was more spiritually sensitive than Balaam]. If she had not turned away, I would have killed you by now, but I would have let her live.”
34 Then Balaam said to the ·angel [messenger] of the Lord, “I have sinned; I did not know you were standing in the road to stop me. If I am wrong, I will go back.”
35 The ·angel [messenger] of the Lord said to Balaam, “Go with these men, but say only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with Balak’s leaders.
36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at Ar in Moab, which was beside the Arnon, at the edge of his ·country [boundary]. 37 Balak said to Balaam, “·I had asked you before [L Did I not send for you…?] to come quickly. Why didn’t you come to me? ·I am [L Am I not…?] able to ·reward you well [give you wealth].”
38 But Balaam answered, “I have come to you now, but I can’t say just anything. I can only say what God tells me to say.”
39 Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. 40 Balak offered cattle and sheep as a sacrifice and gave some meat to Balaam and the leaders with him.
41 The next morning Balak took Balaam to Bamoth Baal; from there he could see the edge of the ·Israelite camp [L people].
Balaam’s First Message
23 Balaam said to Balak, “Build me seven altars here, and prepare seven bulls and seven ·male sheep [rams] for me.” 2 Balak did what Balaam asked, and they offered a bull and a ·male sheep [ram] on each of the altars.
3 Then Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] and I will go. If the Lord comes to me, I will tell you whatever he shows me.” Then Balaam went to a ·higher place [or barren height].
4 God came to Balaam there, and Balaam said to him, “I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered a bull and a ·male sheep [ram] on each altar.”
5 The Lord ·told Balaam what he should say [L put a word in the mouth of Balaam]. Then the Lord said, “Go back to Balak and ·give him this message [L thus you will speak].”
6 So Balaam went back to Balak. Balak and all the leaders of Moab were still standing beside his burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] 7 when Balaam gave them this ·message [or oracle; or poem]:
“Balak brought me here from Aram;
the king of Moab brought me from the eastern mountains.
Balak said, ‘Come, put a curse on the people of Jacob for me.
Come, call down evil on the people of Israel.’
8 But ·God has not cursed them,
so I cannot curse them [L how can I curse what God has not cursed?].
·The Lord has not called down evil on them,
so I cannot call down evil on them [L How can I call down evil on/denounce what the Lord has not called down evil/denouced?].
9 I see them from the top of the ·mountains [cliffs];
I see them from the hills.
I see a people who live alone,
who think they are different from other nations [Ex. 19:5–6].
10 No one can number the ·many people [L dust; Gen. 13:16; 28:14] of Jacob,
and no one can count a ·fourth [or dust cloud] of Israel.
Let me die like ·good [virtuous; upright] people,
and let me end up like them!”
11 Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, but you have only blessed them!”
12 But Balaam answered, “·I must [L Must I not…?] say what the Lord ·tells me to say [L put in my mouth].”
Balaam’s Second Message
13 Then Balak said to him, “Come with me to another place, where you can also see the people. But you can only see part of them, not all of them [C perhaps he could curse a part of Israel]. Curse them for me from there.” 14 So Balak took Balaam to the field of Zophim, on top of Mount Pisgah. There Balak built seven altars and offered a bull and a ·male sheep [ram] on each altar.
15 So Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here by your burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17], and I will meet with God over there.”
16 So the Lord came to Balaam and ·told him what to say [L put a word in his mouth]. Then he said, “Go back to Balak and say ·such and such [L thus].”
17 So Balaam went to Balak, where he and the leaders of Moab were standing beside his burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17]. Balak asked him, “What did the Lord say?”
18 Then Balaam gave this ·message [or oracle; or poem]:
“Stand up, Balak, and listen.
Hear me, son of Zippor.
19 God is not a human being, and he will not lie.
He is not a human, and he does not change his mind.
What he says he will do, ·he does [L will he not do it?].
What he promises, ·he makes come true [L will he not fulfill it/make it come true?].
20 He ·told [commanded] me to bless them,
so I cannot change the blessing.
21 He ·has found [observes] no wrong in the people of Jacob;
he saw no ·fault [trouble] in Israel.
The Lord their God is with them,
and they praise their King.
22 God brought them out of Egypt;
they are ·as strong as [L like the horns of] a wild ox.
23 No ·tricks [divination] will work on the people of Jacob,
and no magic will work against Israel.
People now say about ·them [L Jacob],
‘Look what God has done for Israel!’
24 The people rise up like a lioness;
they get up like a lion.
Lions don’t rest until they have eaten prey,
until they have drunk ·their enemies’ blood [L the blood of corpses].”
25 Then Balak said to Balaam, “You haven’t cursed these people, so at least don’t bless them!”
26 Balaam answered Balak, “·I told [L Did I not tell…?] you before that I can only do what the Lord tells me.”
Balaam’s Third Message
27 Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come, I will take you to another place. Maybe ·God will be pleased [L it will be right in the eyes/sight of God] to let you curse them from there.” 28 So Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, the mountain that looks over the ·desert [wasteland; or Jeshimon].
29 Balaam told Balak, “Build me seven altars here and prepare for me seven bulls and seven ·male sheep [rams].” 30 Balak did what Balaam asked, and he offered a bull and a ·male sheep [ram] on each altar.
24 Balaam saw that ·the Lord wanted [L it was good in the eyes/sight of the Lord] to bless Israel, so he did not try to use any ·magic [divination] but looked toward the ·desert [wilderness]. 2 When Balaam ·saw [L lifted his eyes and saw] the Israelites camped in their tribes, the Spirit of God ·took control of [L was on] him, 3 and he gave this ·message [or oracle; or poem]:
“This is the ·message [utterance] of Balaam son of Beor,
the ·message [utterance] of a man ·who sees clearly [L whose eye is open];
4 this is the ·message [utterance] of a man who hears the words of God.
I see a vision from the Almighty,
and my eyes are open as I fall before him.
5 ·Your tents are beautiful [L How beautiful/fair are your tents], people of Jacob!
·So are your homes [L Your dwellings], Israel!
6 Your tents spread out like ·valleys [wadis],
like gardens beside a river.
They are like ·spices [L aloes] planted by the Lord,
like cedar trees growing by the water.
7 Israel’s water buckets will always ·be full [or flow],
and their ·crops [L seed] will have plenty of water.
Their king will be greater than Agag [C perhaps a dynastic name of the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8–13); 1 Sam. 15:7–9, 32–33];
their kingdom will be very great.
8 God brought them out of Egypt;
they are ·as strong as [L like the horns of] a wild ox.
They will defeat their enemies
and break their enemies’ bones;
they will ·shoot [L strike] them with arrows.
9 Like a lion, they lie waiting to attack;
like a lioness, ·no one would be brave enough to wake [L who will rouse…?] them.
Anyone who blesses you will be blessed,
and anyone who curses you will be cursed [Gen. 12:3].”
10 Then Balak was angry with Balaam, and he ·pounded his fist [or struck his hands together]. He said to Balaam, “I called you here to curse my enemies, but you have continued to bless them three times. 11 Now go home! I said I would ·pay you well [make you wealthy], but the Lord has ·made you lose [denied you] your reward.”
12 Balaam said to Balak, “When you sent messengers to me, ·I told [L did I not tell…?] them, 13 ‘Balak could give me his ·palace [L house] filled with silver and gold, but I still cannot ·go against [transgress] the Lord’s commands. I could not do anything, good or bad, on my own, but I must say what the Lord says.’ 14 Now I am going back to my own people, but I will ·tell [L advise] you what these people will do to your people in the ·future [L later days].”
Balaam’s Final Message
15 Then Balaam gave this ·message [or oracle; or poem]:
“This is the ·message [utterance] of Balaam son of Beor,
the ·message [utterance] of a man ·who sees clearly [L whose eye is open];
16 this is the ·message [utterance] of a man who hears the words of God.
I know well the Most High God.
I see a vision from the Almighty,
and my eyes are open as I fall before him.
17 I see someone ·who will come someday [L but not now],
·someone who will come, but not soon [L I see him, but not near].
A star will come from Jacob;
a ·ruler [L scepter] will rise from Israel [C Saul, then David and his descendants, including the Messiah].
He will crush the heads of the Moabites
and smash the skulls of the sons of Sheth [C identity uncertain].
18 Edom will be conquered;
his enemy Edom will be conquered,
but Israel will grow ·wealthy [or valiant].
19 A ruler will come from the descendants of Jacob
and will destroy those left in the city.”
20 Then Balaam saw Amalek and gave this message:
“Amalek was the most important nation,
but Amalek will be destroyed at last [C the book of Esther tells the story of the final destruction of Amalek; Haman is a descendant of Agag; 24:7].”
21 Then Balaam saw the Kenites and gave this ·message [or oracle; or poem]:
“Your home is ·safe [enduring],
like a nest on a ·cliff [rock].
22 But you Kenites will be burned up;
·Assyria will [L How long will Assyria…?] keep you captive.”
23 Then Balaam gave this ·message [or oracle; or poem]:
“·No one [L Who…?] can live when God does this.
24 Ships will sail from the shores of ·Cyprus [Kittim]
and ·defeat [afflict] Assyria and Eber,
but they will also be destroyed.”
25 Then Balaam got up and returned home, and Balak also went on his way.
Israel Worships Baal at Peor
25 While the people of Israel were still camped at ·Acacia [L Shittim], the men began ·sinning sexually [to prostitute themselves] with Moabite women [C on the advice of Balaam who found another way to get his money; 31:16]. 2 The women invited them to their sacrifices to their gods, and the ·Israelites [L people] ate food there and worshiped these gods. 3 So the Israelites ·began to worship [L yoked themselves to] Baal of Peor, and the Lord was very angry with them.
4 The Lord said to Moses, “Get all the leaders of the people and ·kill [impale] them in open daylight in the presence of the Lord. Then the Lord will not be angry with the people of Israel.”
5 So Moses said to Israel’s judges, “Each of you must ·put to death [kill] your people who have become ·worshipers of [L yoked to] Baal of Peor.”
6 Moses and the Israelites were gathered at the entrance to the Meeting Tent, crying there. Then an ·Israelite man [L man of the sons/T children of Israel] brought a Midianite woman to his ·brothers [family] in plain sight of Moses and all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly]. 7 Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, saw this, so he ·left the meeting [L rose up from the community/congregation/assembly] and ·got [L took in his hand] his spear. 8 He followed the Israelite into his ·tent [vaulted/newlywed tent] and drove his spear through the belly of both the Israelite man and the Midianite woman [C while they were embracing]. Then the ·terrible sickness [plague] among the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel] stopped.
9 This ·sickness [plague] had killed twenty-four thousand people.
10 The Lord said to Moses, 11 “Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has saved the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel] from my anger. He hates sin as much as I do. ·Since he tried to save my honor among them [L Because of his zeal in their midst], I will not kill them in my zeal. 12 So tell Phinehas that I am making my ·peace agreement [covenant/treaty of peace] with him. 13 He and his ·descendants [L seed] will ·always be priests [L have a covenant/treaty of eternal/perpetual priesthood], because he had ·great concern for the honor of [L passion/zeal for] his God. He ·removed the sins of the Israelites so they would belong to God [L provided atonement for the sons/T children of Israel].”
14 The Israelite man who was ·killed [L struck] with the Midianite woman was named Zimri son of Salu. He was the leader of a ·family [ancestral clan] in the tribe of Simeon. 15 And the name of the Midianite woman who was ·put to death [L struck] was Cozbi daughter of Zur, who was the chief of a Midianite ·family [ancestral clan].
16 The Lord said to Moses, 17 “·The Midianites are your enemies [Harrass the Midianites], and you should ·kill [L strike] them. 18 They have already ·made you their enemies [harrassed you], because they tricked you at Peor and because of their sister Cozbi, the daughter of a Midianite leader. She was the woman who was killed when the ·sickness [plague] came because the people sinned at Peor.”
The People Are Counted
26 After the ·great sickness [plague], the Lord said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest, 2 “·Count [Take a census of; L Lift the head of] all the ·people of Israel [L community/congregation of the sons/T children of Israel] by ·families [clans], all the men who are twenty years old or older who will serve in the army of Israel [C like a military registration; chapter 1 counts the generation that came out of Egypt; this counts the one that would enter the land].” 3 Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke to the people on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River, across from Jericho. They said, 4 “Count the men [C supplied from v. 2] twenty years old or older, as the Lord commanded Moses.”
Here are the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel] who came out of Egypt:
5 The ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Reuben, the first son born to Israel, was counted. From Hanoch came the Hanochite ·family group [clan]; from Pallu came the Palluite ·family group [clan]; 6 from Hezron came the Hezronite ·family group [clan]; from Carmi came the Carmite ·family group [clan]. 7 These were the ·family groups [clans] of Reuben, and the total number of men was 43,730.
8 The son of Pallu was Eliab, 9 and Eliab’s sons were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram were the ·leaders [conveners of the community/congregation/assembly] who turned against Moses and Aaron and ·followed [L were in the assembly of] Korah when he ·turned [rebelled] against the Lord. 10 The earth opened up and swallowed them and Korah; they died at the same time the fire burned up the 250 men [16:1–40]. This was a warning, 11 but the children of Korah did not die.
12 These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Simeon: From Nemuel came the Nemuelite ·family group [clan]; from Jamin came the Jaminite ·family group [clan]; from Jakin came the Jakinite ·family group [clan]; 13 from Zerah came the Zerahite ·family group [clan]; from Shaul came the Shaulite ·family group [clan]. 14 These were the ·family groups [clans] of Simeon, and the total number of men was 22,200.
15 These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Gad: From Zephon came the Zephonite ·family group [clan]; from Haggi came the Haggite ·family group [clan]; from Shuni came the Shunite ·family group [clan]; 16 from Ozni came the Oznite ·family group [clan]; from Eri came the Erite ·family group [clan]; 17 from Arodi came the Arodite ·family group [clan]; from Areli came the Arelite ·family group [clan]. 18 These were the ·family groups [clans] of Gad, and the total number of men was 40,500.
19 Two of Judah’s sons, Er and Onan, died in Canaan [Gen. 38:6–11].
20 These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Judah: From Shelah came the Shelanite ·family group [clan]; from Perez came the Perezite ·family group [clan]; from Zerah came the Zerahite ·family group [clan]. 21 These were the ·family groups [clans] from Perez: From Hezron came the Hezronite ·family group [clan]; from Hamul came the Hamulite ·family group [clan]. 22 These were the ·family groups [clans] of Judah, and the total number of men was 76,500.
23 These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Issachar: From Tola came the Tolaite ·family group [clan]; from Puah came the Puite ·family group [clan]; 24 from Jashub came the Jashubite ·family group [clan]; from Shimron came the Shimronite ·family group [clan]. 25 These were the ·family groups [clan] of Issachar, and the total number of men was 64,300.
26 These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Zebulun: From Sered came the Seredite ·family group [clan]; from Elon came the Elonite ·family group [clan]; from Jahleel came the Jahleelite ·family group [clan]. 27 These were the ·family groups [clans] of Zebulun, and the total number of men was 60,500.
28 These were the ·family groups [clans] of Joseph through Manasseh and Ephraim.
29 These were the ·family groups [clans] of [L the sons/descendants of] Manasseh: From Makir came the Makirite ·family group [clan] (Makir was the father of Gilead); from Gilead came the Gileadite ·family group [clan]. 30 These were the ·family groups [clans] that came from Gilead: From Iezer came the Iezerite ·family group [clan]; from Helek came the Helekite ·family group [clan]; 31 from Asriel came the Asrielite ·family group [clan]; from Shechem came the Shechemite ·family group [clan]; 32 from Shemida came the Shemidaite ·family group [clan]; from Hepher came the Hepherite ·family group [clan]. 33 (Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons; he had only daughters, and their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah [27:1–11; 36:1–13; Josh. 17:3–6].) 34 These were the ·family groups [clans] of Manasseh, and the total number of men was 52,700.
35 These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Ephraim: From Shuthelah came the Shuthelahite ·family group [clan]; from Beker came the Bekerite ·family group [clan]; from Tahan came the Tahanite ·family group [clan]. 36 This was the ·family group [clan] from Shuthelah: From Eran came the Eranite ·family group [clan]. 37 These were the ·family groups [clans] of [L the sons/descendants of] Ephraim, and the total number of men was 32,500. These are the ·family groups [clans] that came from Joseph.
38 These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Benjamin: From Bela came the Belaite ·family group [clan]; from Ashbel came the Ashbelite ·family group [clan]; from Ahiram came the Ahiramite ·family group [clan]; 39 from Shupham came the Shuphamite ·family group [clan]; from Hupham came the Huphamite ·family group [clan]. 40 These were the ·family groups [clans] from Bela through Ard and Naaman: From Ard came the Ardite ·family group [clan]; from Naaman came the Naamite ·family group [clan]. 41 These were the ·family groups [clans] of Benjamin, and the total number of men was 45,600.
42 This was the ·family group [clan] in the ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Dan: From Shuham came the Shuhamite ·family group [clan]. That was the ·family group [clan] of Dan, 43 and the total number of men in the Shuhamite ·family group [clan] of Dan was 64,400.
44 These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Asher: From Imnah came the Imnite ·family group [clan]; from Ishvi came the Ishvite ·family group [clan]; from Beriah came the Beriite ·family group [clan]. 45 These were the ·family groups [clans] that came from Beriah: From Heber came the Heberite ·family group [clan]; from Malkiel came the Malkielite ·family group [clan]. 46 (Asher also had a daughter named Serah.) 47 These were the ·family groups [clans] of Asher, and the total number of men was 53,400.
48 These were the ·family groups [clans] in the ·tribe [L sons; descendants] of Naphtali: From Jahzeel came the Jahzeelite ·family group [clan]; from Guni came the Gunite ·family group [clan]; 49 from Jezer came the Jezerite ·family group [clan]; from Shillem came the Shillemite ·family group [clan]. 50 These were the ·family groups [clans] of Naphtali, and the total number of men was 45,400.
51 So the total number of the ·men [L sons; T children] of Israel was 601,730.
52 The Lord said to Moses, 53 “·Divide [Apportion] the land among these people by the number of names. 54 A large tribe will get more ·land [L inheritance], and a small tribe will get less ·land [L inheritance]; the amount of ·land each tribe gets [L inheritance] will depend on the number of its people. 55 ·Divide [Apportion] the land by drawing lots, and the land each tribe ·gets [L inherits] will be named for that tribe. 56 ·Divide [Apportion] the land between large and small groups by drawing lots [Josh. 14:2; 18:6, 8].”
57 The tribe of Levi was also counted. These were the ·family groups [clans] of Levi: From Gershon came the Gershonite ·family group [clan]; from Kohath came the Kohathite ·family group [clan]; from Merari came the Merarite ·family group [clan]. 58 These also were Levite ·family groups [clans]: the Libnite ·family group [clan], the Hebronite ·family group [clan], the Mahlite ·family group [clan], the Mushite ·family group [clan], and the Korahite ·family group [clan]. (Kohath was the ancestor of Amram, 59 whose wife was named Jochebed. She was from the tribe of Levi and she was born in Egypt. She and Amram had two sons, Aaron and Moses, and their sister Miriam [Ex. 2:1–10]. 60 Aaron was the father of Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 61 But Nadab and Abihu died because they made an offering before the Lord with ·the wrong kind of [L strange; C unauthorized by God] fire [Lev. 10:1–20].)
62 The total number of male Levites one month old or older was 23,000. But these men were not counted with the other ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel], because they were not given any ·of the land [L inheritance] among the other ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel].
63 Moses and Eleazar the priest counted all these people. They counted the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel] on the plains of Moab across the Jordan River from Jericho. 64 Moses and Aaron the priest had counted the Israelites in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Sinai [1:1–54], but no one Moses counted on the plains of Moab was in the first counting. 65 The Lord had told the Israelites they would all die in the ·desert [wilderness], and the only two left were Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun [14:20–25].
Zelophehad’s Daughters
27 Then the daughters of Zelophehad came near. Zelophehad was the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh. Zelophehad’s daughters belonged to the ·family groups [clans] of Manasseh son of Joseph [26:29–34]. The daughters’ names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 They went to the entrance of the Meeting Tent and stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and all the ·people [community; congregation; assembly]. They said, 3 “Our father died in the ·desert [wilderness]. He was not ·one of Korah’s followers [L in the community/congregation/assembly of Korah] who came together against the Lord [16:1–50], but he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. 4 ·Our father’s name will [L Why should our father’s name…?] die out because he had no sons. Give us ·property [a possession] among our father’s relatives [36:1–13; Josh. 17:3–6].”
5 So Moses brought their case to the Lord, 6 and the Lord said to him, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad are right; they should certainly get ·what their father owned [L a possession of the inheritance in the midst of the relatives of their father]. ·Give [L Pass on to] them ·property among their father’s relatives [L the inheritance of their father].
8 “Tell the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel], ‘If a man dies and has no son, then ·everything he owned should go [L pass on his inheritance] to his daughter. 9 If he has no daughter, then ·everything he owned should go [L you should give his inheritance] to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, then ·everything he owned should go [L you should give his inheritance] to his father’s brothers. 11 And if his father had no brothers, then ·everything he owned should go [L you should give his inheritance] to the nearest relative in his ·family group [clan]. This should be a ·rule [statute; ordinance; requirement] among the ·people [L sons; T children] of Israel, as the Lord has given this command to Moses.’”
Joshua Is the New Leader
12 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Climb this mountain in the Abarim Mountains, and look at the land I have given to the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel]. 13 After you have seen it, you will ·die and join your ancestors [L be gathered to your people] as your brother Aaron ·did [L was gathered; 20:22–29], 14 because you both ·acted [rebelled] against my command in the ·Desert [Wilderness] of Zin. You did not honor me as holy before the people at the waters of Meribah [20:1–13].” (This was at Meribah in Kadesh in the ·Desert [L Wilderness] of Zin.)
15 Moses said to the Lord, 16 “The Lord is the God of the spirits of all ·people [L flesh]. May he ·choose a leader for these people [L appoint someone over the community/assembly/congregation], 17 who will go in and out before them. He must lead them out like sheep and bring them in; the Lord’s ·people [community; assembly; congregation] must not be like sheep without a shepherd.”
18 So the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, because my Spirit is in him. ·Put [Lay] your hand on him, 19 and have him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the ·people [community; assembly; congregation]. Then give him his orders ·as they watch [L before their eyes]. 20 Let him share your honor so that all the ·Israelites [L community/assembly/congregation of the sons/T children of Israel] will ·obey [listen to] him. 21 He must stand before Eleazar the priest, and Eleazar will get advice from the Lord by using the Urim [Ex. 28:30]. At his command all the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel, the whole community/assembly/congregation] will go out, and at his command they will all come in.”
22 Moses did what the Lord told him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and all the ·people [community; assembly; congregation], 23 and he ·put [lay] his hands on him and gave him orders, just as the Lord had told him.
Daily Offerings
28 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Give this command to the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel]. Tell them: ‘Bring me food offerings made by fire, for a smell that is pleasing to me, and be sure to bring them at the ·right [appointed] time.’ 3 Say to them, ‘These are the offerings you must bring to the Lord: two male lambs, a year old, as a burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] each day. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 4 Offer one lamb in the morning and the other lamb ·at twilight [L between the two evenings]. 5 Also bring a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] of ·two quarts [L one-tenth of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour, mixed with ·one quart [L one-fourth of a hin] of oil from pressed olives. 6 This is the daily burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] which began at Mount Sinai; its smell is pleasing to the Lord. 7 Offer ·one quart [L one-fourth of a hin] of wine with each lamb as a drink offering; pour it out to the Lord at the Holy Place. 8 Offer the second lamb at ·twilight [L between the two evenings]. As in the morning, also give a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] and a drink offering. This offering is made by fire, and its smell is pleasing to the Lord [Ex. 29:38–43].
Sabbath Offerings
9 “‘On the Sabbath day you must give two male lambs, a year old, that have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. Also give a drink offering and a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1]; the ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] must be four quarts of fine flour mixed with olive oil. 10 This is the burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] for every Sabbath, in addition to the daily burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] and drink offering.
Monthly Offerings
11 “‘On the first day of each month bring a burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] to the Lord. This will be two young bulls, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old, and they must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 12 Give a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] with each bull of ·six quarts [L three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with olive oil. Also give a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] with the ·male sheep [ram]. It must be ·four quarts [L two-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with olive oil. 13 And give a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] with each lamb of ·two quarts [L one-tenth of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with olive oil. This is a burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17], and its smell is pleasing to the Lord. 14 The drink offering with each bull will be ·two quarts [L half a hin] of wine, with the ·male sheep [ram] it will be ·one and one-third quarts [L one-third of a hin], and with each lamb it will be ·one quart [L one-fourth of a hin] of wine. This is the burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] that must be offered each month of the year. 15 Besides the daily burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] and drink offerings, bring a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3] of one goat to the Lord.
The Passover
16 “‘The Lord’s Passover will be on the fourteenth day of the first month [Ex. 12:1–20; Lev. 23:4–8; Deut. 16:1–8]. 17 The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the fifteenth day of that month. For seven days, you may eat only bread made without ·yeast [leaven]. 18 Have a ·holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation] on the first day of the festival, and don’t work that day. 19 Bring to the Lord an offering made by fire, a burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] of two young bulls, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 20 With each bull give a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] of ·six quarts [L three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with olive oil. With the ·male sheep [ram] it must be ·four quarts [L two-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. 21 With each of the seven lambs, it must be ·two quarts [L one-tenth of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. 22 Bring one goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3], to ·remove your sins so you will belong to God [make atonement for yourself]. 23 Bring these offerings in addition to the burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] you give every morning. 24 So bring food for the offering made by fire each day for seven days, for a smell that is pleasing to the Lord. Do it in addition to the daily burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] and its drink offering. 25 On the seventh day have a holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation], and don’t work that day.
The Feast of Weeks
26 “‘On the day of firstfruits when you bring new grain to the Lord during the Feast of Weeks [Lev. 23:15–23], have a ·holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation]. Don’t work that day. 27 Bring this burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] to the Lord: two young bulls, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old. This smell is pleasing to the Lord. 28 Also, with each bull give a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] of ·six quarts [L three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. With the ·male sheep [ram], it must be ·four quarts [L two-tenths of an ephah] of flour, 29 and with each of the seven lambs offer ·two quarts [L one-tenth of an ephah] of flour. 30 Offer one male goat to ·remove your sins so you will belong to God [make atonement for yourself]. 31 Bring these offerings and their drink offerings in addition to the daily burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17] and its ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1]. The animals must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish].
The Feast of Trumpets
29 “‘Have a ·holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation] on the first day of the seventh month, and don’t work on that day. That is the day you blow the trumpets. 2 Bring these burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] as a smell pleasing to the Lord: one young bull, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 3 With the bull give a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] of ·six quarts [L three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. With the ·male sheep [ram] offer ·four quarts [L two-tenths of an ephah], 4 and with each of the seven lambs offer ·two quarts [L one-tenth of an ephah]. 5 Offer one male goat for a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3] to ·remove your sins so you will belong to God [make atonement for yourself]. 6 These offerings are in addition to the monthly [28:11–15] and daily burnt offerings [28:1–8; Lev. 1:1–17]. Their ·grain [L gift; tribute] offerings [Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings must be done as you have been told. These offerings are made by fire to the Lord, and their smell is pleasing to him.
The Day of Atonement
7 “‘Have a ·holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation] on the tenth day of the seventh month [Lev. 16; 23:26–32]. On that day do not eat and do not work. 8 Bring these burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17] as a smell pleasing to the Lord: one young bull, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 9 With the bull give a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] of ·six quarts [L three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. With the ·male sheep [ram] it must be ·four quarts [L two-tenths of an ephah], 10 and with each of the seven lambs it must be ·two quarts [L one-tenth of an ephah]. 11 Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3]. This will be in addition to the sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3] which ·removes your sins [makes atonement for you], the daily burnt offering [28:1–8; Lev. 1:1–17] with its ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1], and the drink offerings.
The Feast of Shelters
12 “‘Have a ·holy meeting [sacred/solemn convocation] on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, and do not work on that day. Celebrate a festival to the Lord for seven days [Lev. 23:33–44]. 13 Bring these burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17], made by fire, as a smell pleasing to the Lord: thirteen young bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 14 With each of the thirteen bulls offer a ·grain [L gift; tribute] offering [Lev. 2:1] of ·six quarts [L three-tenths of an ephah] of ·fine [choice] flour mixed with oil. With each of the two ·male sheep [rams] it must be ·four quarts [L two-tenths of an ephah], 15 and with each of the fourteen lambs it must be ·two quarts [L one-tenth of an ephah]. 16 Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3] in addition to the daily burnt offering [28:1–8; Lev. 1:1–17] with its ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings.
17 “‘On the second day of this festival give an offering of twelve bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 18 Bring the ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings for the bulls, sheep, and lambs, according to the number required. 19 Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3], in addition to the daily burnt offering [28:1–8; Lev. 1:1–17] with its ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings.
20 “‘On the third day offer eleven bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 21 Bring the ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings for the bulls, sheep, and lambs, according to the number required. 22 Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3], in addition to the daily burnt offering [28:1–8; Lev. 1:1–17] with its ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings.
23 “‘On the fourth day offer ten bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 24 Bring the ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings for the bulls, sheep, and lambs, according to the number required. 25 Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3], in addition to the daily burnt offering [28:1–8] with its ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings.
26 “‘On the fifth day offer nine bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 27 Bring the ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings for the bulls, sheep, and lambs, according to the number required. 28 Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3], in addition to the daily burnt offering [28:1–8; Lev. 1:1–17] with its ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings.
29 “‘On the sixth day offer eight bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 30 Bring the ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings for the bulls, sheep, and lambs, according to the number required. 31 Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3], in addition to the daily burnt offering [28:1–8; Lev. 1:1–17] with its ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings.
32 “‘On the seventh day offer seven bulls, two ·male sheep [rams], and fourteen male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 33 Bring the ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings for the bulls, sheep, and lambs, according to the number required. 34 Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification] offering [Lev. 4:3], in addition to the daily burnt offering [28:1–8; Lev. 1:1–17] with its ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings.
35 “‘On the eighth day have a ·closing meeting [closing/festive assembly], and do not work on that day. 36 Bring an offering made by fire, a burnt offering [Lev. 1:1–17], as a smell pleasing to the Lord. Offer one bull, one ·male sheep [ram], and seven male lambs a year old. They must have ·nothing wrong with them [no blemish]. 37 Bring the ·grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings for the bull, the ·male sheep [ram], and the lambs, according to the number required. 38 Offer one male goat as a ·sin [or purification; Lev. 4:3] offering, in addition to the daily burnt offering [28:1–8; Lev. 1:1–17] with its grain [L gift; tribute; Lev. 2:1] and drink offerings.
39 “‘At your ·festivals [sacred/solemn convocations] you should bring these to the Lord: your burnt offerings [1:1–17], ·grain [L gift; tribute] offerings [Lev. 2:1], drink offerings and ·fellowship [or peace; well-being] offerings [Lev. 3:1]. These are in addition to other ·promised [votive] offerings and special gifts you want to give to the Lord.’”
40 Moses told the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel] everything the Lord had commanded him.
Rules About Special Promises
30 Moses spoke with the leaders of the ·Israelite tribes [L tribes of the sons/T children of Israel]. He told them these commands from the Lord.
2 “If a man makes a ·promise [vow] to the Lord or ·says he will do something special [swears an oath to bind himself to an obligation], he must ·keep his promise [L not break his word]. He must do what he said [Deut. 23:21; Ps. 50:14; Eccl. 5:4–5; Matt. 5:33–37]. 3 If a young woman still living at ·home [L the house of her father] makes a ·promise [vow] to the Lord or ·pledges to do something special [binds herself to an obligation], 4 and if her father hears about the ·promise [vow] or ·pledge [obligation by which she has bound herself] and says nothing, ·she must do what she promised [L all her vows stand]. ·She must keep her pledge [L All her obligations to which she has bound herself will stand]. 5 But if her father hears about the ·promise [vow] or ·pledge [obligation by which she has bound herself] and ·does not allow it [disapproves], then the ·promise [vow] or ·pledge [obligation] does not ·have to be kept [L stand]. Her father ·would not allow it [disapproves], so the Lord will ·free her from her promise [L forgive her].
6 “If a woman ·makes a pledge [binds herself to an obligation] or speaks a ·careless [rash; thoughtless] ·promise [vow] and then gets married, 7 and if her husband hears about it and says nothing, ·she must keep her promise [L her vow stands] ·or the pledge she made [L and the obligation by which she bound herself will stand]. 8 But if her husband hears about it and ·does not allow it [disapproves], he cancels her ·pledge [vow] or the ·careless [rash; thoughtless] ·promise [vow] ·she made [by which she bound herself]. The Lord will ·free her from keeping it [forgive her].
9 “If a widow or divorced woman makes a ·promise [vow], ·she must do whatever she promised [L all by which she bound herself stands].
10 “If a woman makes a ·promise [vow] or ·pledge [L binds herself in an obligation] ·while she is married [L in the house of her husband], 11 and if her husband hears about it but says nothing and does not ·stop her [disapprove], ·she must keep her promise [all her vows stand] ·or pledge [L and all that to which she bound herself will stand]. 12 But if her husband hears about it and cancels it, ·she does not have to do what she said [L her vow and all that which she bound herself do not stand]. Her husband has canceled it, so the Lord will ·free her from it [forgive her]. 13 A woman’s husband may make her keep or cancel any ·promise [vow] or ·pledge [obligation] she has made to ·deny [mortify] herself. 14 If he says nothing to her about it for several days, ·she must keep her promises [L her vows stand]. If he hears about them and says nothing, ·she must keep her promises [L the obligations by which she bound herself will stand]. 15 But if he cancels them long after he heard about them, he ·is responsible if she breaks her promise [L will bear her guilt].”
16 These are ·commands [statutes; ordinances; requirements] that the Lord gave to Moses for husbands and wives, and for fathers with ·daughters living at home [L his daughters in her youth in the house of her father].
Israel Attacks the Midianites
31 The Lord spoke to Moses and said, 2 “·Pay back [Avenge] the Midianites for what they did to the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel; 25:6]; after that you will ·die [L be gathered to your people].”
3 So Moses said to the people, “·Get some men ready [Arm some men] for war. The Lord will use them to ·pay back [avenge himself against] the Midianites. 4 Send to war a thousand men from each of the tribes of Israel.” 5 So twelve thousand men ·got ready for war [were armed], out of the thousands of Israel a thousand men from each tribe. 6 Moses sent ·those men [L a thousand from each tribe] to war; Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest was with them. He took with him the ·holy things [or vessels of the Holy Place] and the trumpets for giving the alarm. 7 They fought the Midianites as the Lord had commanded Moses, and they killed every Midianite man. 8 Among those they killed were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, who were the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with a sword [Num. 22–24; Deut. 23:4–5; Josh. 13:22; 24:10; Neh. 13:2; 2 Pet. 2:15; Jude 11; Rev. 2:14].
9 The ·Israelites [L sons of Israel] captured the Midianite women and children, and they took all their flocks, herds, and goods. 10 They burned all the Midianite towns where they had settled and all their camps, 11 but they took all the ·people and animals and goods [L plunder and all the spoil, both people and animals]. 12 Then they brought the captives, the ·animals, and the goods [L spoil and the plunder] back to Moses and Eleazar the priest and all the ·Israelites [L community/assembly/congregation of the sons/T children of Israel]. Their camp was on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River, across from Jericho.
13 Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the ·people [community; assembly; congregation] went outside the camp to meet them. 14 Moses was angry with the army officers, the commanders over a thousand men, and those over a hundred men, who returned from war.
15 He asked them, “Why did you let the women live? 16 They were the ones who followed Balaam’s advice [Jude 11] and turned the ·Israelites [L community/assembly/congregation of Israel] from the Lord at Peor. Then a ·terrible sickness [plague] struck the Lord’s people [Num. 25]. 17 Kill all the Midianite boys, and kill all the Midianite women who have ·had sexual relations [L known a man by going to bed with him]. 18 But save for yourselves the girls who have not ·had sexual relations with a man [L known a man by going to bed with him].
19 “All you men who killed anyone or touched a dead body must stay outside the camp for seven days [19:11]. On the third and seventh days you and your captives must make yourselves clean [C in a ritual sense]. 20 You must clean all your clothes and anything made of leather, goat hair, or wood.”
21 Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone to war, “These are the ·teachings [L statutes/ordinances/requirements of the law/instruction] that the Lord gave to Moses: 22 Put any gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, or lead— 23 anything that will not burn—into the fire, and then it will be clean. But also purify those things with the cleansing water. Then they will be clean. If something cannot stand the fire, wash it with the water. 24 On the seventh day wash your clothes, and you will be clean. After that you may come into the camp.”
Dividing the Goods
25 The Lord said to Moses, 26 “You, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the ·family groups [clans of the community/assembly/congregation] should take a count of the ·goods [spoils], the men, and the animals that were taken. 27 Then divide ·those possessions [the spoil] between the soldiers who went to war and the ·rest of the people [community; assembly; congregation]. 28 From the soldiers who went to war, take a ·tax [tribute] for the Lord of one item out of every five hundred. This includes people, cattle, donkeys, or sheep. 29 Take it from the soldiers’ half, and give it to Eleazar the priest as the Lord’s ·share [offering]. 30 And from the ·people’s half [L half of the sons/T children of Israel], take one item out of every fifty. This includes people, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals. Give that to the Levites, who take care of the Lord’s ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle].” 31 So Moses and Eleazar did as the Lord commanded Moses.
32 There remained from what the soldiers had taken 675,000 sheep, 33 72,000 cattle, 34 61,000 donkeys, 35 and 32,000 women who had not ·had sexual relations with a man [L known a man by going to bed with him]. 36 The soldiers who went to war got 337,500 sheep, 37 and they gave 675 of them to the Lord. 38 They got 36,000 cattle, and they gave 72 of them to the Lord. 39 They got 30,500 donkeys, and they gave 61 of them to the Lord. 40 They got 16,000 people, and they gave 32 of them to the Lord. 41 Moses gave the Lord’s ·share [tribute] to Eleazar the priest, as the Lord had commanded him.
42 Moses separated the ·people’s [L sons/T children of Israel’s] half from the soldiers’ half. 43 The people got 337,500 sheep, 44 36,000 cattle, 45 30,500 donkeys, 46 and 16,000 people. 47 From the ·people’s [L sons/T children of Israel’s] half Moses took one item out of every fifty for the Lord. This included the animals and the people. Then he gave them to the Levites, who took care of the Lord’s ·Holy Tent [Tabernacle]. This was what the Lord had commanded Moses.
48 Then the officers of the army, the commanders of a thousand men and commanders of a hundred men, came to Moses. 49 They told Moses, “We, your servants, have ·counted [taken a census of; L lifted the head of] our soldiers ·under our command [L in our hand], and not one of them is missing. 50 So we have brought the Lord a ·gift [offering] of the gold things that each of us found: arm bands, bracelets, signet rings, earrings, and necklaces. These are to ·remove our sins so we will belong to [make atonement for ourselves before] the Lord.”
51 So Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from them, which had been made into all kinds of objects. 52 The commanders of a thousand men and the commanders of a hundred men gave the Lord the gold, and all of it together weighed about ·420 pounds [L 16,750 shekels]; 53 each soldier had taken ·something [plunder] for himself. 54 Moses and Eleazar the priest took the gold from the commanders of a thousand men and the commanders of a hundred men. Then they put it in the Meeting Tent as a memorial before the Lord for the ·people [L sons; T children] of Israel.
The Tribes East of the Jordan
32 The ·people [L sons; descendants] of Reuben and ·Gad [L the sons/descendants of Gad] had large flocks and herds. When they saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were good for the animals, 2 they came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the ·people [community; assembly; congregation].
6 Moses told the ·people of Gad [L sons/descendants of Gad] and ·Reuben [L the sons/descendants of Reuben], “Shall your brothers go to war while you stay ·behind [L here]? 7 ·You will [L Why should you…?] discourage the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel] from going over to the land the Lord has given them. 8 Your ·ancestors [fathers] did the same thing. I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look at the land. 9 They went as far as the ·Valley of [Wadi] Eshcol, and when they saw the land, they discouraged the hearts of the ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel] from going into the land the Lord had given them. 10 The Lord became very angry that day and ·made this promise [swore]: 11 ‘None of the people who came from Egypt and who are twenty years old or older will see the land that I promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These people have not ·followed me [or been loyal to me] completely. 12 Only Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun ·followed [or were loyal to] the Lord completely [chs. 13–14].’
13 “The Lord was angry with Israel, so he made them wander in the ·desert [wilderness] for forty years. Finally all the ·people [generation] who had ·sinned against [L done evil in the eyes/sight of] the Lord died, 14 and now you ·are acting [L have risen up] just like your ·ancestors [fathers]! You sinful people are making the Lord even more angry with Israel. 15 If you quit following him, it will add to their stay in the ·desert [wilderness], and you will destroy all these people.”
16 Then ·the Reubenites and Gadites [L they] came up to Moses and said, “We will build ·pens for our animals [sheepfolds for our flocks] and cities for our children here. 17 Then our children will be in strong, walled cities, safe from the people who live in this land. Then we will prepare for war. We will help the other ·Israelites [L sons/T children of Israel] get their land, 18 and we will not return home until every Israelite has ·received his land [inherited their inheritance]. 19 We won’t ·take [inherit] any of the land west of the Jordan River; our ·part of the land [inheritance] is east of the Jordan.”
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