This book describes the events that took place before the Israelites entered the land that God had assigned to them as an inheritance. It clearly presents the complex process of renewal of life and spiritual growth of the people. In mercilessly truthful detail, Numbers tell of the murmuring and rebellion of those whom God led through the wilderness, with its serpents and scorpions, to a land "flowing with milk and honey." If the Israelites had been obedient to God, had they been patient and trusted in Him, the journey could have been completed in two weeks, but it took almost forty years.

The first to murmur were those for whom their own womb turned out to be a god: they wanted Egyptian viands; Very soon the huge crowd of people who had come out of Egyptian slavery began to show licentiousness. Former slaves, who did not conquer the narrowness and earthliness of their interests, had no time for God, who concluded a Covenant with them. Every now and then they heaped bitter rebukes on Moses and God, raised open rebellions, conspired against their leaders, and did not hide their disdain for the Lord. This rebellious spirit at times embraced everyone: priests, military commanders, spies, Moses' relatives, and even Moses.

The name of the fourth book of Moses, Numbers, comes to us from its Greek translation, the Septuagint. In the Torah, it is called Bemidbar, "In the Desert". And this mysterious phrase (taken from the first words of the book), among other things, speaks of the futility of human efforts to arrange one's life without God. Encompassing all the years of protracted wanderings, the narrative ends where they began: in Kadesh, where the faith of the Israelites was shattered. Of the many thousands of generations that came out of Egypt, only two entered the Promised Land: Joshua and Caleb.

In all their storylines and in the detailed exposition of the laws, the Numbers speak of God's holiness, of His consistent irreconcilability to any sin, wherever and in whomsoever it may be manifested. By Divine Providence, all the sufferings and experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness became a school of life for His people, for all the needs and spiritual growth of which He constantly cared. Both in His opposition to sin and in the fulfillment of His promises and purposes, God is always unchangeable and faithful. Speaking of holiness as a guarantee of the well-being of His creation, God at the same time leaves the right of choice to each person. Therefore, what Numbers says about God contains a clear answer to the long-standing sophistic question: "Can an omnipotent God create a stone that He could not move?" "Yes," say the Numbers, "and this stone is a man."

Traditionally, and not without reason, the book of Numbers is associated with the name of Moses, who had plenty of time to work on this sacred text during his years of wandering in the wilderness. This does not mean, however, that some additions or explanations could not have been made later to the text prepared by some inspired editor or scribes.

Main content of the book

The Israelites before the departure from Sinai 1:1–9:23

– First Census 1:1–4:49

– Miscellaneous Laws and Regulations 5:1–8:26

– Second Passover after the Exodus from Egypt 9:1–23

The Journey from Mount Sinai to the Plains of Moab 10:1–21:35

Balaam the Prophet and Israel's Sojourn in Moab (Second Census) 22:1–32:42

Summary of Israel's Journey from Egypt to Moab 33:1–49

The Command to Enter the Promised Land 33:50–36:13