NUMBER CHAPTER 26 NOTES
v9 Dathan and Abiram were the most famous of the congregation and were sons of Eliab. They are Reubenites . Interesting that they were not killed during the Korah incident and refusing to come when Moses called on them
Dathan and Abiram were killed during the Korah incident. Sources: Numbers 16:27-33 and Numbers 26:10
NUMBERS CHAPTER 27
v17 I wonder why Moses requested this if Moses was their leader. Was it to have someone who takes over after he passes?
v21 Not clear if it is saying that the priests and TCOI should follow Joshua’s every command - that’s how I’m seeing it
I'm also understanding it as yes to both of these questions.
NUMBERS CHAPTER 30
v9 “But every vow of a widow, and of her that is divorced, wherewith they have bound their souls, shall stand against her.” - not clear the meaning “shall stand against her”
Her commitments are binding.
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Here's an interesting article on vows...
https://inspiredscripture.com/bible-studies/numbers-30#gsc.tab=0
NUMBERS CHAPTER 31 NOTES
v7 They slew all the males. Was this vengeance for the Midianitish woman that was attempting to lie with a man of Israel? Have to review why God was angry with Midian
v10 TCOI burned down the cities. Is this why we don’t know for sure where Midian is? Still have to research this
The Midianites were a nomadic people associated with the people of Moab in Numbers 25. God commanded that they be attacked in retribution for their part in the seduction of Israel into sexual immorality and idolatry.
v15 Moses was angry with men of Israel that went to war for keeping the captives alive - not for certain, this is how I’m seeing it
"Moses was angry because the children of Israel failed to see the great danger of sexual immorality and idolatry posed by these women who before had led the men of Israel into these exact sins.
God’s people may be deceived by things that
were a threat, but do not seem to be a
present danger. The Israelite officers of the army thought these women were safe, but they were more dangerous to Israel than an army of mighty warriors. Israel could overcome mighty warriors if they were spiritually strong; but if they were seduced into immorality and idolatry, they would certainly fall.
We often think of many things as dangerous to us as the people of God – hostile government, secular humanism, academic attack, and so forth. But when God’s people accept things among them that open the door to immorality and idolatry, this can be a much greater danger than any of those other things." (source: enduringword)
v17 Wow! - I guess this answers question for v9 partly. Moses was willing to keep virgin women - are they a part of TCOI?
Only the young girls would be allowed to live so that they may be taken as wives or slaves by the Israelite men, Deuteronomy 21:10-14.
v46 It was pertaining to half v43, does that mean there were 32,000 persons in total?
I'm only counting 16,000 here.
16,000 (women), out of which one in fifty were given to the Levites.
v47 “…Moses took one portion of fifty, both of man and of beast…” - is “man” referring to the species of man or to “male”?
I read it as referring to persons. Just before this it numbers the beasts and persons, then it talks about the portion of beasts and person that are to be given to the Levites.
v8 Why was Balaam slain when he was a man of God? -
Balaam’s name, amid the recital of the names of the Midianite kings, suggests that he was their advisor, their spiritual guru.
Later in the NT in Jude vs.11 we read: Woe unto them! for they ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
He “loved the wages of unrighteousness,” and gave himself up to do Satan’s bidding in “casting a stumbling-block before the children of Israel,” and miserably perished amongst the enemies of God and of His people. ~Bishop Wordsworth
NUMBERS CHAPTER 35 NOTES
v19 “The revenger of blood” - I wonder who the revenger of blood is? If someone was killed, would their siblings, parents, close friends - who out of their loved ones would be designated the avenger or would it be any of these people?
To show plainly the abhorrence of murder, and to provide the more effectually for the punishment of the murderer, the nearest relation of the deceased, under the title of avenger of blood, (or the redeemer of blood,) in notorious cases, might pursue, and execute vengeance. ~ Matthew Henry's Commentary
NUMBERS CHAPTER 35 NOTES
v20 Is it saying that you can kill someone without hatred? Because to kill with hatred is sinful in v21
v21 Enmity meaning is the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something. Not clear who is the person who killed with enmity vs the revenger of blood
vs 20& 21 But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he; Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
Another way this could be read is: If a person kills someone out of hatred so that he dies, that person is a murderer and the murder shall be executed by the revenger.
v30 “…but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.” - Not clear what it is saying, since before it stated witness would cause a murder to die
This re-enforces the law of Deuteronomy 17:6. In Deuteronomy 19:15 three, or at least two, witnesses are required to substantiate any charge
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Well, I'm terribly behind, but at least I got caught up on Numbers' notes. I'll see what all I can get caught up with next!
Blessings!