Each section below shows chapter and verses, as well as an overview of the section. Click on a section heading for a detailed analysis.
1. First Census and Tribal Arrangement (Numbers 1:1–2:34): Moses counts every able‑bodied man for war and sets each tribe’s position around the tabernacle.
2. Levites Enumerated and Assigned Duties (Numbers 3:1–4:49): The Levites replace the firstborn for sacred service, and each clan receives specific tabernacle responsibilities.
3. Camp Purity and Restitution Laws (Numbers 5:1–5:31): Commands to remove the ritually unclean, require restitution for wrongs, and test suspected adultery.
4. Nazirite Vow and Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:1–6:27): Regulations for temporary vows of dedication to God and the Aaronic blessing pronounced on Israel.
5. Offerings of the Tribal Leaders (Numbers 7:1–7:89): Each of the twelve tribal chiefs brings identical gifts for the altar over twelve days.
6. Consecration of the Levites (Numbers 8:1–8:26): The Levites are purified, presented to the Lord, and enter lifetime service after age twenty‑five.
7. Second‑Month Passover Provision (Numbers 9:1–9:14): Those prevented from keeping Passover in the first month receive an alternate date; resident aliens may also observe it.
8. Cloud Guidance and Silver Trumpets (Numbers 9:15–10:10): The cloud of glory and specially fashioned trumpets signal Israel when to set out or encamp.
9. Departure from Sinai (Numbers 10:11–10:36): After nearly a year at Sinai, the people break camp and journey toward the wilderness of Paran.
10. Complaints, Quail, and Seventy Elders (Numbers 11:1–11:35): Fire, quail, and a plague follow Israel’s grumbling; God appoints seventy elders to share Moses’ burden.
11. Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses (Numbers 12:1–12:16): Miriam is struck with skin disease for challenging Moses’ unique prophetic role and is healed after seven days.
12. The Twelve Spies and Israel’s Rebellion (Numbers 13:1–14:45): Ten fearful spies sway the nation to refuse entry into Canaan, bringing a forty‑year wilderness sentence.
13. Supplemental Offerings, Sabbath Violator, and Tassels (Numbers 15:1–15:41): Laws for future grain and drink offerings, the stoning of a Sabbath breaker, and tassels as reminders of God’s commands.
14. Korah’s Rebellion and Aaron’s Budding Rod (Numbers 16:1–17:13): Levite leaders challenge Moses; the earth swallows them, and Aaron’s staff blossoms to confirm priestly authority.
15. Duties and Portions of Priests and Levites (Numbers 18:1–18:32): God details the sacred responsibilities and tithes that support Aaron’s family and the Levites.
16. The Red Heifer Purification Rite (Numbers 19:1–19:22): Ashes of a special cow provide water for cleansing those defiled by contact with the dead.
17. Water from the Rock, Edom’s Refusal, and Death of Aaron (Numbers 20:1–20:29): Moses strikes the rock at Meribah, is barred from Canaan, Edom denies passage, and Aaron dies on Mount Hor.
18. Bronze Serpent and Victories en Route to Moab (Numbers 21:1–21:35): A bronze serpent cures snake‑bitten Israelites; Israel defeats several Amorite kings.
19. Balaam and Balak (Numbers 22:1–24:25): Moabite king Balak hires Balaam to curse Israel, but God compels the prophet to bless them instead.
20. Apostasy at Peor and Phinehas’ Zeal (Numbers 25:1–25:18): Israel worships Baal with Moabite women; Phinehas halts a plague by executing flagrant sinners.
21. Second Census of Israel (Numbers 26:1–26:65): A new generation is counted in preparation for entering the promised land.
22. Daughters of Zelophehad and Joshua Named Successor (Numbers 27:1–27:23): Inheritance rights are granted to daughters with no brothers, and Joshua is commissioned to lead after Moses.
23. Daily, Sabbath, Monthly, and Festival Offerings (Numbers 28:1–29:40): God specifies regular sacrifices for each day, Sabbath, new moon, and the annual feasts.
24. Laws Concerning Vows (Numbers 30:1–30:16): Regulations governing vows made by men, married women, and unmarried daughters under paternal authority.
25. War Against Midian (Numbers 31:1–31:54): Israel defeats Midian, executes idolaters, divides spoils, and purifies the warriors and plunder.
26. Settlement of Reuben, Gad, and Half‑Tribe of Manasseh (Numbers 32:1–32:42): Eastern tribes secure pasturelands beyond the Jordan after pledging to aid the conquest of Canaan.
27. Review of Israel’s Journey Stages (Numbers 33:1–33:56): A log of each encampment from Egypt to Moab concludes with commands to drive out Canaanite inhabitants.
28. Boundaries of Canaan and Land Distribution Leaders (Numbers 34:1–34:29): God sets Israel’s western, eastern, northern, and southern borders and appoints commissioners to apportion the land.
29. Levitical Cities and Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:1–35:34): Forty‑eight towns, including six refuge cities, are allotted to the Levites, with rules for manslaughter cases.
30. Inheritance of Zelophehad’s Daughters Confirmed (Numbers 36:1–36:13): The women marry within their tribe so the family allotment remains in Manasseh.