The Order of the Camps

1Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron: 2“The Israelites are to camp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance from it, each man under his standard, with the banners of his family.

3On the east side, toward the sunrise, the divisions of Judah are to camp under their standard:

The leader of the descendants of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab, 4and his division numbers 74,600.

5The tribe of Issachar will camp next to it. The leader of the Issacharites is Nethanel son of Zuar, 6and his division numbers 54,400.

7Next will be the tribe of Zebulun. The leader of the Zebulunites is Eliab son of Helon, 8and his division numbers 57,400.

9The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Judah is 186,400; they shall set out first.

10On the south side, the divisions of Reuben are to camp under their standard:

The leader of the Reubenites is Elizur son of Shedeur, 11and his division numbers 46,500.

12The tribe of Simeon will camp next to it. The leader of the Simeonites is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, 13and his division numbers 59,300.

14Next will be the tribe of Gad. The leader of the Gadites is Eliasaph son of Deuel,a 15and his division numbers 45,650.

16The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Reuben is 151,450; they shall set out second.

17In the middle of the camps, the Tent of Meeting is to travel with the camp of the Levites. They are to set out in the order they encamped, each in his own place under his standard.

18On the west side, the divisions of Ephraim are to camp under their standard:

The leader of the Ephraimites is Elishama son of Ammihud, 19and his division numbers 40,500.

20The tribe of Manasseh will be next to it. The leader of the Manassites is Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, 21and his division numbers 32,200.

22Next will be the tribe of Benjamin. The leader of the Benjamites is Abidan son of Gideoni, 23and his division numbers 35,400.

24The total number of men in the divisions of the camp of Ephraim is 108,100; they shall set out third.

25On the north side, the divisions of Dan are to camp under their standard:

The leader of the Danites is Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, 26and his division numbers 62,700.

27The tribe of Asher will camp next to it. The leader of the Asherites is Pagiel son of Ocran, 28and his division numbers 41,500.

29Next will be the tribe of Naphtali. The leader of the Naphtalites is Ahira son of Enan, 30and his division numbers 53,400.

31The total number of men in the camp of Dan is 157,600; they shall set out last, under their standards.”

32These are the Israelites, numbered according to their families. The total of those counted in the camps, by their divisions, was 603,550. 33But the Levites were not counted among the other Israelites, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

34So the Israelites did everything the LORD commanded Moses; they camped under their standards in this way and set out in the same way, each man with his clan and his family.

The Sons of Aaron
(Leviticus 10:1–7)

1This is the account of Aaron and Moses at the time the LORD spoke with Moses on Mount Sinai.

2These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, then Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 3These were Aaron’s sons, the anointed priests, who were ordained to serve as priests.

4Nadab and Abihu, however, died in the presence of the LORD when they offered unauthorizeda fire before the LORD in the Wilderness of Sinai. And since they had no sons, only Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron.

The Duties of the Levites

5Then the LORD said to Moses, 6“Bring the tribe of Levi and present them to Aaron the priest to assist him. 7They are to perform duties for him and for the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, attending to the service of the tabernacle. 8They shall take care of all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting and fulfill obligations for the Israelites by attending to the service of the tabernacle.

9Assign the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they have been given exclusively to himb from among the Israelites. 10So you shall appoint Aaron and his sons to carry out the duties of the priesthood; but any outsider who approaches the tabernacle must be put to death.”

11Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 12“Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel in place of every firstborn Israelite from the womb. The Levites belong to Me, 13for all the firstborn are Mine. On the day I struck down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, I consecrated to Myself all the firstborn in Israel, both man and beast. They are Mine; I am the LORD.”

The Numbering of the Levites

14Then the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15“Number the Levites by their families and clans. You are to count every male a month old or more.”

16So Moses numbered them according to the word of the LORD, as he had been commanded.

17These were the sons of Levi by name: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. 18These were the names of the sons of Gershon by their clans: Libni and Shimei. 19The sons of Kohath by their clans were Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel. 20And the sons of Merari by their clans were Mahli and Mushi. These were the clans of the Levites, according to their families.

The Gershonites
(Numbers 4:21–28; 1 Chronicles 23:7–11)

21From Gershon came the Libnite clan and the Shimeite clan; these were the Gershonite clans. 22The number of all the males a month old or more was 7,500.

23The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle, 24and the leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael.

25The duties of the Gershonites at the Tent of Meeting were the tabernacle and tent, its covering, the curtain for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, 26the curtains of the courtyard, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, and the cords—all the service for these items.

The Kohathites
(Numbers 4:1–20; 1 Chronicles 23:12–20)

27From Kohath came the clans of the Amramites, the Izharites, the Hebronites, and the Uzzielites; these were the clans of the Kohathites. 28The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600.c They were responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.

29The clans of the Kohathites were to camp on the south side of the tabernacle, 30and the leader of the families of the Kohathites was Elizaphand son of Uzziel.

31Their duties were the ark, the table, the lampstand, the altars, the articles of the sanctuary used with them, and the curtain—all the service for these items.

32The chief of the leaders of the Levites was Eleazar son of Aaron the priest; he oversaw those responsible for the duties of the sanctuary.

The Merarites
(Numbers 4:29–33; 1 Chronicles 23:21–23)

33From Merari came the clans of the Mahlites and Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. 34The number of all the males a month old or more was 6,200.

35The leader of the families of the Merarites was Zuriel son of Abihail; they were to camp on the north side of the tabernacle.

36The duties assigned to the sons of Merari were the tabernacle’s frames, crossbars, posts, bases, and all its equipment—all the service for these items, 37as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes.

Moses and Aaron

38Moses, Aaron, and Aaron’s sons were to camp to the east of the tabernacle, toward the sunrise, before the Tent of Meeting. They were to perform the duties of the sanctuary as a service on behalf of the Israelites; but any outsider who approached the sanctuary was to be put to death.

39The total number of Levites that Moses and Aaron counted by their clans at the LORD’s command, including all the males a month old or more, was 22,000.

The Redemption of the Firstborn

40Then the LORD said to Moses, “Number every firstborn male of the Israelites a month old or more, and list their names. 41You are to take the Levites for Me—I am the LORD—in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of all the firstborn of the livestock of the Israelites.”

42So Moses numbered all the firstborn of the Israelites, as the LORD had commanded him. 43The total number of the firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273.

44Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 45“Take the Levites in place of all the firstborn of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites in place of their livestock. The Levites belong to Me; I am the LORD. 46To redeem the 273 firstborn Israelites who outnumber the Levites, 47you are to collect five shekelse for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel of twenty gerahs.f 48Give the money to Aaron and his sons as the redemption price for the excess among the Israelites.”

49So Moses collected the redemption money from those in excess of the number redeemed by the Levites. 50He collected the money from the firstborn of the Israelites: 1,365 shekels,g according to the sanctuary shekel. 51And Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and his sons in obedience to the word of the LORD, just as the LORD had commanded him.

The Duties of the Kohathites
(Numbers 3:27–32; 1 Chronicles 23:12–20)

1Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 2“Take a census of the Kohathites among the Levites by their clans and families, 3men from thirty to fifty years old—everyone who is qualified to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

4This service of the Kohathites at the Tent of Meeting regards the most holy things. 5Whenever the camp sets out, Aaron and his sons are to go in, take down the veil of the curtain, and cover the ark of the Testimonya with it. 6They are to place over this a covering of fine leather,b spread a solid blue cloth over it, and insert its poles.

7Over the table of the Presence they are to spread a blue cloth and place the plates and cups on it, along with the bowls and pitchers for the drink offering. The regular bread offering is to remain on it. 8And they shall spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover them with fine leather, and insert the poles.

9They are to take a blue cloth and cover the lampstand used for light, together with its lamps, wick trimmers, and trays, as well as the jars of oil with which to supply it. 10Then they shall wrap it and all its utensils inside a covering of fine leather and put it on the carrying frame.

11Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth, cover it with fine leather, and insert the poles. 12They are to take all the utensils for serving in the sanctuary, place them in a blue cloth, cover them with fine leather, and put them on the carrying frame.

13Then they shall remove the ashes from the bronze altar, spread a purple cloth over it, 14and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.

15When Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy objects and all their equipment, as soon as the camp is ready to move, the Kohathites shall come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy objects, or they will die. These are the transportation duties of the Kohathites regarding the Tent of Meeting.

16Eleazar son of Aaron the priest shall oversee the oil for the light, the fragrant incense, the daily grain offering, and the anointing oil. He has oversight of the entire tabernacle and everything in it, including the holy objects and their utensils.”

17Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 18“Do not allow the Kohathite tribal clans to be cut off from among the Levites. 19In order that they may live and not die when they come near the most holy things, do this for them: Aaron and his sons are to go in and assign each man his task and what he is to carry. 20But the Kohathites are not to go in and look at the holy objects, even for a moment, or they will die.”

The Duties of the Gershonites
(Numbers 3:21–26; 1 Chronicles 23:7–11)

21And the LORD said to Moses, 22“Take a census of the Gershonites as well, by their families and clans, 23from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting.

24This is the service of the Gershonite clans regarding work and transport: 25They are to carry the curtains of the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting with the covering of fine leather over it, the curtains for the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, 26the curtains of the courtyard, and the curtains for the entrance at the gate of the courtyard that surrounds the tabernacle and altar, along with their ropes and all the equipment for their service. The Gershonites will do all that needs to be done with these items.

27All the service of the Gershonites—all their transport duties and other work—is to be done at the direction of Aaron and his sons; you are to assign to them all that they are responsible to carry. 28This is the service of the Gershonite clans at the Tent of Meeting, and their duties shall be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.

The Duties of the Merarites
(Numbers 3:33–37; 1 Chronicles 23:21–23)

29As for the sons of Merari, you are to number them by their clans and families, 30from thirty to fifty years old, counting everyone who comes to serve in the work of the Tent of Meeting.

31This is the duty for all their service at the Tent of Meeting: to carry the frames of the tabernacle with its crossbars, posts, and bases, 32and the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, and ropes, including all their equipment and everything related to their use. You shall assign by name the items that they are responsible to carry.

33This is the service of the Merarite clans according to all their work at the Tent of Meeting, under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest.”

The Numbering of the Levite Clans

34So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of the congregation numbered the Kohathites by their clans and families, 35everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 36And those numbered by their clans totaled 2,750. 37These were counted from the Kohathite clans, everyone who could serve at the Tent of Meeting. Moses and Aaron numbered them according to the command of the LORD through Moses.

38Then the Gershonites were numbered by their clans and families, 39everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 40And those numbered by their clans and families totaled 2,630. 41These were counted from the Gershonite clans who served at the Tent of Meeting, whom Moses and Aaron counted at the LORD’s command.

42And the Merarites were numbered by their clans and families, 43everyone from thirty to fifty years old who came to serve in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 44The men registered by their clans numbered 3,200. 45These were counted from the Merarite clans, whom Moses and Aaron numbered at the LORD’s command through Moses.

46So Moses, Aaron, and the leaders of Israel numbered by their clans and families all the Levites 47from thirty to fifty years old who came to do the work of serving and carrying the Tent of Meeting. 48And the number of men was 8,580. 49At the LORD’s command they were numbered through Moses and each one was assigned his work and burden, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Cleansing the Camps
(Leviticus 13:1–46)

1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone with a skin disease,a anyone who has a bodily discharge, and anyone who is defiled by a dead body. 3You must send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.”

4So the Israelites did this, sending such people outside the camp. They did just as the LORD had instructed Moses.

Restitution for Trespasses
(Luke 19:1–10)

5And the LORD said to Moses, 6“Tell the Israelites that when a man or woman acts unfaithfully against the LORD by committing any sin against another, that person is guilty 7and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution, add a fifth to its value, and give all this to the one he has wronged.

8But if the man has no relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the LORD and must be given to the priest along with the ram of atonement, by which the atonement is made for him.

9Every sacred contribution the Israelites bring to the priest shall belong to him. 10Each man’s sacred gifts are his own, but whatever he gives to the priest will belong to the priest.”

The Adultery Test

11Then the LORD said to Moses, 12“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him 13by sleeping with another man, and it is concealed from her husband and her impurity is undetected (since there is no witness against her and she was not caught in the act), 14and if a feeling of jealousy comes over her husband and he suspects his wife who has defiled herself—or if a feeling of jealousy comes over him and he suspects her even though she has not defiled herself— 15then he is to bring his wife to the priest.

He must also bring for her an offering of a tenth of an ephah of barley flour.b He is not to pour oil over it or put frankincense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, an offering of memorial as a reminder of iniquity.

16The priest is to bring the wife forward and have her stand before the LORD. 17Then he is to take some holy water in a clay jar and put some of the dust from the tabernacle floor into the water.

18After the priest has the woman stand before the LORD, he is to let down her hair and place in her hands the grain offering of memorial, which is the grain offering for jealousy. The priest is to hold the bitter water that brings a curse. 19And he is to put the woman under oath and say to her, ‘If no other man has slept with you and you have not gone astray and become defiled while under your husband’s authority, may you be immune to this bitter water that brings a curse. 20But if you have gone astray while under your husband’s authority and have defiled yourself and lain carnally with a man other than your husband’— 21and the priest shall have the woman swear under the oath of the curse—‘then may the LORD make you an attested curse among your people by making your thigh shrivel and your belly swell. 22May this water that brings a curse enter your stomach and cause your belly to swell and your thigh to shrivel.’

Then the woman is to say, ‘Amen, Amen.’

23And the priest shall write these curses on a scroll and wash them off into the bitter water. 24He is to have the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and it will enter her and cause her bitter suffering. 25The priest shall take from her hand the grain offering for jealousy, wave it before the LORD, and bring it to the altar. 26Then the priest is to take a handful of the grain offering as a memorial portion and burn it on the altar; after that he is to have the woman drink the water.

27When he has made her drink the water, if she has defiled herself and been unfaithful to her husband, then the water that brings a curse will enter her and cause bitter suffering; her belly will swell, her thigh will shrivel, and she will become accursed among her people. 28But if the woman has not defiled herself and is clean, she will be unaffected and able to conceive children.

29This is the law of jealousy when a wife goes astray and defiles herself while under her husband’s authority, 30or when a feeling of jealousy comes over a husband and he suspects his wife. He is to have the woman stand before the LORD, and the priest is to apply to her this entire law. 31The husband will be free from guilt, but the woman shall bear her iniquity.”

The Nazirite Vow
(Judges 13:1–25)

1And the LORD said to Moses, 2“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that if a man or woman makes a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite,a to separate himself to the LORD, 3he is to abstain from wine and strong drink. He must not drink vinegar made from wine or strong drink, and he must not drink any grape juice or eat fresh grapes or raisins. 4All the days of his separation, he is not to eat anything that comes from the grapevine, not even the seeds or skins.

5For the entire period of his vow of separation, no razor shall pass over his head. He must be holy until the time of his separation to the LORD is complete; he must let the hair of his head grow long.

6Throughout the days of his separation to the LORD, he must not go near a dead body. 7Even if his father or mother or brother or sister should die, he is not to defile himself, because the crown of consecration to his God is upon his head. 8Throughout the time of his separation, he is holy to the LORD.

9If someone suddenly dies in his presence and defiles his consecrated head of hair, he must shave his head on the day of his cleansing—the seventh day. 10On the eighth day he must bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 11And the priest is to offer one as a sin offeringb and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for him, because he has sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. On that day he must consecrate his head again. 12He must rededicate his time of separation to the LORD and bring a year-old male lamb as a guilt offering. But the preceding days shall not be counted, because his separation was defiled.

13Now this is the law of the Nazirite when his time of separation is complete: He must be brought to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, 14and he is to present an offering to the LORD of an unblemished year-old male lamb as a burnt offering, an unblemished year-old female lamb as a sin offering, and an unblemished ram as a peace offering— 15together with their grain offerings and drink offerings—and a basket of unleavened cakes made from fine flour mixed with oil and unleavened wafers coated with oil.

16The priest is to present all these before the LORD and make the sin offering and the burnt offering. 17He shall also offer the ram as a peace offering to the LORD, along with the basket of unleavened bread. And the priest is to offer the accompanying grain offering and drink offering.

18Then at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the Nazirite is to shave his consecrated head, take the hair, and put it on the fire under the peace offering. 19And the priest is to take the boiled shoulder from the ram, one unleavened cake from the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and put them into the hands of the Nazirite who has just shaved the hair of his consecration. 20The priest shall then wave them as a wave offering before the LORD. This is a holy portion for the priest, in addition to the breast of the wave offering and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.

21This is the law of the Nazirite who vows his offering to the LORD for his separation, in addition to whatever else he can afford; he must fulfill whatever vow he makes, according to the law of his separation.”

Aaron’s Blessing

22Then the LORD said to Moses, 23“Tell Aaron and his sons: This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

24‘May the LORD bless you

and keep you;

25may the LORD cause His face to shine upon you

and be gracious to you;

26may the LORD lift up His countenance toward you

and give you peace.’

27So they shall put My name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”

Offerings of Dedication

1On the day Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings, along with the altar and all its utensils. 2And the leaders of Israel, the heads of their families, presented an offering. These men were the tribal leaders who had supervised the registration. 3They brought as their offering before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two leaders—and presented them before the tabernacle.

4And the LORD said to Moses, 5“Accept these gifts from them, that they may be used in the work of the Tent of Meeting. And give them to the Levites, to each man according to his service.”

6So Moses took the carts and oxen and gave them to the Levites. 7He gave the Gershonites two carts and four oxen, as their service required, 8and he gave the Merarites four carts and eight oxen, as their service required, all under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the priest. 9But he did not give any to the Kohathites, since they were to carry on their shoulders the holy objects for which they were responsible.

10When the altar was anointed, the leaders approached with their offerings for its dedication and presented them before the altar. 11And the LORD said to Moses, “Each day one leader is to present his offering for the dedication of the altar.”

12On the first day Nahshon son of Amminadab from the tribe of Judah drew near with his offering. 13His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels,a and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels,b both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 14one gold dish weighing ten shekels,c filled with incense; 15one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 16one male goat for a sin offering; 17and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab.

18On the second day Nethanel son of Zuar, the leader of Issachar, drew near. 19The offering he presented was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 20one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 21one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 22one male goat for a sin offering; 23and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nethanel son of Zuar.

24On the third day Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the Zebulunites, drew near. 25His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 26one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 27one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 28one male goat for a sin offering; 29and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon.

30On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the Reubenites, drew near. 31His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 32one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 33one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 34one male goat for a sin offering; 35and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur son of Shedeur.

36On the fifth day Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai, the leader of the Simeonites, drew near. 37His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 38one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 39one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 40one male goat for a sin offering; 41and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai.

42On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the Gadites, drew near. 43His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 44one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 45one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 46one male goat for a sin offering; 47and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel.

48On the seventh day Elishama son of Ammihud, the leader of the Ephraimites, drew near. 49His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 50one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 51one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 52one male goat for a sin offering; 53and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud.

54On the eighth day Gamaliel son of Pedahzur, the leader of the Manassites, drew near. 55His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 56one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 57one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 58one male goat for a sin offering; 59and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel son of Pedahzur.

60On the ninth day Abidan son of Gideoni, the leader of the Benjamites, drew near. 61His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 62one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 63one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 64one male goat for a sin offering; 65and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni.

66On the tenth day Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai, the leader of the Danites, drew near. 67His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 68one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 69one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 70one male goat for a sin offering; 71and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai.

72On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Ocran, the leader of the Asherites, drew near. 73His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 74one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 75one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 76one male goat for a sin offering; 77and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Ocran.

78On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the Naphtalites, drew near. 79His offering was one silver platter weighing a hundred and thirty shekels, and one silver bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel and filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a grain offering; 80one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 81one young bull, one ram, and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 82one male goat for a sin offering; 83and a peace offering of two oxen, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Ahira son of Enan.

84So these were the offerings from the leaders of Israel for the dedication of the altar when it was anointed: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve gold dishes.

85Each silver platter weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each silver bowl seventy shekels. The total weight of the silver articles was two thousand four hundred shekels,d according to the sanctuary shekel.

86The twelve gold dishes filled with incense weighed ten shekels each, according to the sanctuary shekel. The total weight of the gold dishes was a hundred and twenty shekels.e

87All the livestock for the burnt offering totaled twelve bulls, twelve rams, and twelve male lambs a year old—together with their grain offerings—and twelve male goats for the sin offering.

88All the livestock sacrificed for the peace offering totaled twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs a year old. This was the dedication offering for the altar after it was anointed.

89When Moses entered the Tent of Meeting to speak with the LORD, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the mercy seatf on the ark of the Testimony.g Thus the LORD spoke to him.

The Lampstand
(Exodus 25:31–40; Exodus 37:17–24)

1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“Speak to Aaron and tell him: ‘When you set up the seven lamps, they are to light the area in front of the lampstand.’ ”

3And Aaron did so; he set up the lamps facing toward the front of the lampstand, just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

4This is how the lampstand was constructed: it was made of hammered gold from its base to its blossoms, fashioned according to the pattern the LORD had shown Moses.

Cleansing the Levites

5Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 6“Take the Levites from among the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. 7This is what you must do to cleanse them: Sprinkle them with the water of purification. Have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes, and so purify themselves.

8Then have them take a young bull with its grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil, and you are to take a second young bull for a sin offering. 9Bring the Levites before the Tent of Meeting and assemble the whole congregation of Israel. 10You are to present the Levites before the LORD and have the Israelites lay their hands upon them. 11Aaron is to present the Levites before the LORD as a wave offering from the sons of Israel, so that they may perform the service of the LORD. 12And the Levites are to lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and offer to the LORD one as a sin offering and the other as a burnt offering, to make atonement for the Levites.

13You are to have the Levites stand before Aaron and his sons and then present them before the LORD as a wave offering. 14In this way you shall separate the Levites from the rest of the Israelites, and the Levites will belong to Me. 15After you have cleansed them and presented them as a wave offering, they may come to serve at the Tent of Meeting.

16For the Levites have been wholly given to Me from among the sons of Israel. I have taken them for Myself in place of all who come first from the womb, the firstborn of all the sons of Israel. 17For every firstborn male in Israel is Mine, both man and beast. I set them apart for Myself on the day I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt. 18But I have taken the Levites in place of all the firstborn among the sons of Israel. 19And I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and his sons from among the Israelites, to perform the service for the Israelites at the Tent of Meeting and to make atonement on their behalf, so that no plague will come against the Israelites when they approach the sanctuary.”

20So Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation of Israel did with the Levites everything that the LORD had commanded Moses they should do. 21The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes, and Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD. Aaron also made atonement for them to cleanse them. 22After that, the Levites came to perform their service at the Tent of Meeting in the presence of Aaron and his sons. Thus they did with the Levites just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

Retirement for Levites

23And the LORD said to Moses, 24“This applies to the Levites: Men twenty-five years of age or older shall enter to perform the service in the work at the Tent of Meeting. 25But at the age of fifty, they must retire from performing the work and no longer serve.

26After that, they may assist their brothers in fulfilling their duties at the Tent of Meeting, but they themselves are not to do the work. This is how you are to assign responsibilities to the Levites.”

The Second Passover
(Exodus 12:1–13)

1In the first month of the second year after Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai: 2“The Israelites are to observe the Passover at its appointed time. 3You are to observe it at the appointed time, at twilight on the fourteentha day of this month, in accordance with its statutes and ordinances.”

4So Moses told the Israelites to observe the Passover, 5and they did so in the Wilderness of Sinai, at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month. The Israelites did everything just as the LORD had commanded Moses.

6But there were some men who were unclean due to a dead body, so they could not observe the Passover on that day. And they came before Moses and Aaron that same day 7and said to Moses, “We are unclean because of a dead body, but why should we be excluded from presenting the LORD’s offering with the other Israelites at the appointed time?”

8“Wait here until I find out what the LORD commands concerning you,” Moses replied.

9Then the LORD said to Moses, 10“Tell the Israelites: ‘When any one of you or your descendants is unclean because of a dead body, or is away on a journey, he may still observe the Passover to the LORD. 11Such people are to observe it at twilight on the fourteenth day of the second month. They are to eat the lamb, together with unleavened bread and bitter herbs; 12they may not leave any of it until morning or break any of its bones. They must observe the Passover according to all its statutes.

13But if a man who is ceremonially clean and is not on a journey still fails to observe the Passover, he must be cut off from his people, because he did not present the LORD’s offering at its appointed time. That man will bear the consequences of his sin.

14If a foreigner dwelling among you wants to observe the Passover to the LORD, he is to do so according to the Passover statute and its ordinances. You are to apply the same statute to both the foreigner and the native of the land.’ ”

The Cloud above the Tabernacle
(Exodus 40:34–38)

15On the day that the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it and appeared like fire above the tabernacle from evening until morning. 16It remained that way continually; the cloud would cover the tabernacle by day,b and at night it would appear like fire. 17Whenever the cloud was lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites would set out, and wherever the cloud settled, there the Israelites would camp. 18At the LORD’s command the Israelites set out, and at the LORD’s command they camped. As long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle, they remained encamped.

19Even when the cloud lingered over the tabernacle for many days, the Israelites kept the LORD’s charge and did not set out. 20Sometimes the cloud remained over the tabernacle for only a few days, and they would camp at the LORD’s command and set out at the LORD’s command. 21Sometimes the cloud remained only from evening until morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they would set out. Whether it was by day or by night, when the cloud was taken up, they would set out.

22Whether the cloud lingered for two days, a month, or longer, the Israelites camped and did not set out as long as the cloud remained over the tabernacle; but when it was lifted, they would set out. 23They camped at the LORD’s command, and they set out at the LORD’s command; they carried out the LORD’s charge according to His command through Moses.

The Two Silver Trumpets

1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“Make two trumpets of hammered silver to be used for calling the congregation and for having the camps set out. 3When both are sounded, the whole congregation is to assemble before you at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 4But if only one is sounded, then the leaders, the heads of the clans of Israel, are to gather before you.

5When you sound short blasts, the camps that lie on the east side are to set out. 6When you sound the short blasts a second time, the camps that lie on the south side are to set out. The blasts are to signal them to set out. 7To convene the assembly, you are to sound long blasts, not short ones. 8The sons of Aaron, the priests, are to sound the trumpets. This shall be a permanent statute for you and the generations to come.

9When you enter into battle in your land against an adversary who attacks you, sound short blasts on the trumpets, and you will be remembered before the LORD your God and saved from your enemies. 10And on your joyous occasions, your appointed feasts, and the beginning of each month, you are to blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to serve as a reminder for you before your God. I am the LORD your God.”

From Sinai to Paran

11On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud was lifted from above the tabernacle of the Testimony, 12and the Israelites set out from the Wilderness of Sinai, traveling from place to place until the cloud settled in the Wilderness of Paran. 13They set out this first time according to the LORD’s command through Moses.

14First, the divisions of the camp of Judah set out under their standard, with Nahshon son of Amminadab in command. 15Nethanel son of Zuar was over the division of the tribe of Issachar, 16and Eliab son of Helon was over the division of the tribe of Zebulun. 17Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and the Merarites set out, transporting it.

18Then the divisions of the camp of Reuben set out under their standard, with Elizur son of Shedeur in command. 19Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon, 20and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad. 21Then the Kohathites set out, transporting the holy objects; the tabernacle was to be set up before their arrival.

22Next, the divisions of the camp of Ephraim set out under their standard, with Elishama son of Ammihud in command. 23Gamaliel son of Pedahzur was over the division of the tribe of Manasseh, 24and Abidan son of Gideoni was over the division of the tribe of Benjamin.

25Finally, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard, serving as the rear guard for all units, with Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai in command. 26Pagiel son of Ocran was over the division of the tribe of Asher, 27and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali.

28This was the order of march for the Israelite divisions as they set out.

29Then Moses said to Hobab, the son of Moses’ father-in-law Reuela the Midianite, “We are setting out for the place of which the LORD said: ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.”

30“I will not go,” Hobab replied. “Instead, I am going back to my own land and my own people.”

31“Please do not leave us,” Moses said, “since you know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can serve as our eyes. 32If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the LORD gives us.”

33So they set out on a three-day journey from the mountain of the LORD, with the ark of the covenant of the LORD traveling ahead of them for those three days to seek a resting place for them. 34And the cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp.

35Whenever the ark set out, Moses would say,

“Rise up, O LORD!

May Your enemies be scattered;

may those who hate You flee before You.”

36And when it came to rest, he would say:

“Return, O LORD,

to the countless thousands of Israel.”

29 a Reuel  was also called Jethro ; see Exodus 3:1.

The Complaints of the People

1Soon the people began to complain about their hardship in the hearing of the LORD, and when He heard them, His anger was kindled, and fire from the LORD blazed among them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. 2And the people cried out to Moses, and he prayed to the LORD, and the fire died down. 3So that place was called Taberah,a because the fire of the LORD had burned among them.

4Meanwhile, the rabble among them had a strong craving for other food, and again the Israelites wept and said, “Who will feed us meat? 5We remember the fish we ate freely in Egypt, along with the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic. 6But now our appetite is gone; there is nothing to see but this manna!”

7Now the manna resembled coriander seed, and its appearance was like that of gum resin. 8The people walked around and gathered it, ground it on a handmill or crushed it in a mortar, then boiled it in a cooking pot or shaped it into cakes. It tasted like pastry baked with fine oil. 9When the dew fell on the camp at night, the manna would fall with it.

The Complaint of Moses

10Then Moses heard the people of family after family weeping at the entrances to their tents, and the anger of the LORD was kindled greatly, and Moses was also displeased.

11So Moses asked the LORD, “Why have You brought this trouble on Your servant? Why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid upon me the burden of all these people? 12Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, so that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries an infant,’ to the land that You swore to give their fathers?

13Where can I get meat for all these people? For they keep crying out to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’

14I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me. 15If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.”

Seventy Elders Anointed

16Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you.

17And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.

18And say to the people: Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, and you will eat meat, because you have cried out in the hearing of the LORD, saying: ‘Who will feed us meat? For we were better off in Egypt!’ Therefore the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat. 19You will eat it not for one or two days, nor for five or ten or twenty days, 20but for a whole month—until it comes out of your nostrils and makes you nauseous—because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have cried out before Him, saying, ‘Why did we ever leave Egypt?’ ”

21But Moses replied, “Here I am among 600,000 men on foot, yet You say, ‘I will give them meat, and they will eat for a month.’ 22If all our flocks and herds were slaughtered for them, would they have enough? Or if all the fish in the sea were caught for them, would they have enough?”

23The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not My word will come to pass.”

24So Moses went out and relayed to the people the words of the LORD, and he gathered seventy of the elders of the people and had them stand around the tent. 25Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and He took some of the Spirit that was on Moses and placed that Spirit on the seventy elders. As the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but they never did so again.

26Two men, however, had remained in the camp—one named Eldad and the other Medad—and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those listed, but they had not gone out to the tent, and they prophesied in the camp. 27A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.”

28Joshua son of Nun, the attendant to Moses since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!”

29But Moses replied, “Are you jealous on my account? I wish that all the LORD’s people were prophets and that the LORD would place His Spirit on them!”

30Then Moses returned to the camp, along with the elders of Israel.

The Quail and the Plague

31Now a wind sent by the LORD came up, drove in quail from the sea, and brought them near the camp, about two cubits above the surface of the ground,b for a day’s journey in every direction around the camp. 32All that day and night, and all the next day, the people stayed up gathering the quail. No one gathered less than ten homers,c and they spread them out all around the camp.

33But while the meat was still between their teeth, before it was chewed, the anger of the LORD burned against the people, and the LORD struck them with a severe plague. 34So they called that place Kibroth-hattaavah,d because there they buried the people who had craved other food.

35From Kibroth-hattaavah the people moved on to Hazeroth, where they remained for some time.

The Complaint of Miriam and Aaron

1Then Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he had married, for he had taken a Cushite wife. 2“Does the LORD speak only through Moses?” they said. “Does He not also speak through us?” And the LORD heard this.

3Now Moses was a very humble man, more so than any man on the face of the earth.

4And suddenly the LORD said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three, come out to the Tent of Meeting.” So the three went out, 5and the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the Tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them had stepped forward, 6He said, “Hear now My words:

If there is a prophet among you,

I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision;

I will speak to him in a dream.

7But this is not so with My servant Moses;

he is faithful in all My house.a

8I speak with him face to face,

clearly and not in riddles;

he sees the form of the LORD.

Why then were you unafraid to speak against My servant Moses?” 9So the anger of the LORD burned against them, and He departed.

10As the cloud lifted from above the Tent, suddenly Miriam became leprous,b white as snow. Aaron turned toward her, saw that she was leprous, 11and said to Moses, “My lord, please do not hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed. 12Please do not let her be like a stillborn infant whose flesh is half consumed when he comes out of his mother’s womb.”

13So Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, please heal her!”

14But the LORD answered Moses, “If her father had but spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back in.”

15So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until she was brought in again. 16After that, the people set out from Hazeroth and camped in the Wilderness of Paran.

The Spies Explore Canaan
(Deuteronomy 1:19–25)

1And the LORD said to Moses, 2“Send out for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each of their fathers’ tribes send one man who is a leader among them.”

3So at the consenta of the LORD, Moses sent them out from the Wilderness of Paran. All the men were leaders of the Israelites, 4and these were their names:

From the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zaccur;

5from the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat son of Hori;

6from the tribe of Judah, Caleb son of Jephunneh;

7from the tribe of Issachar, Igal son of Joseph;

8from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;

9from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu;

10from the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel son of Sodi;

11from the tribe of Manasseh (a tribe of Joseph), Gaddi son of Susi;

12from the tribe of Dan, Ammiel son of Gemalli;

13from the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael;

14from the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi son of Vophsi;

15and from the tribe of Gad, Geuel son of Machi.

16These were the names of the men Moses sent to spy out the land; and Moses gave to Hoshea son of Nun the name Joshua.

17When Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, he told them, “Go up through the Negev and into the hill country. 18See what the land is like and whether its people are strong or weak, few or many. 19Is the land where they live good or bad? Are the cities where they dwell open camps or fortifications? 20Is the soil fertile or unproductive? Are there trees in it or not? Be courageous, and bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.)

21So they went up and spied out the land from the Wilderness of Zin as far as Rehob, toward Lebo-hamath. 22They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, dwelled. It had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.

23When they came to the Valley of Eshcol,b they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two men. They also took some pomegranates and figs. 24Because of the cluster of grapes the Israelites cut there, that place was called the Valley of Eshcol.

The Reports of the Spies

25After forty days the men returned from spying out the land, 26and they went back to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation of Israel in the Wilderness of Paran at Kadesh. They brought back a report for the whole congregation and showed them the fruit of the land.

27And they gave this account to Moses: “We went into the land to which you sent us, and indeed, it is flowing with milk and honey. Here is some of its fruit! 28Nevertheless, the people living in the land are strong, and the cities are large and fortified. We even saw the descendants of Anak there. 29The Amalekites live in the land of the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live by the sea and along the Jordan.”

30Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “We must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly conquer it!”

31But the men who had gone up with him replied, “We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are!”

32So they gave the Israelites a bad report about the land that they had spied out: “The land we explored devours its inhabitants, and all the people we saw there are great in stature. 33We even saw the Nephilim there—the descendants of Anak that come from the Nephilim! We seemed like grasshoppers in our own sight, and we must have seemed the same to them!”

Israel’s Rebellion
(Deuteronomy 1:26–33)

1Then the whole congregation lifted up their voices and cried out, and that night the people wept. 2All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt, or if only we had died in this wilderness! 3Why is the LORD bringing us into this land to fall by the sword? Our wives and children will become plunder. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”

4So they said to one another, “Let us appoint a leader and return to Egypt.”

5Then Moses and Aaron fell facedown before the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel.

6Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes 7and said to the whole congregation of Israel, “The land we passed through and explored is an exceedingly good land. 8If the LORD delights in us, He will bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and He will give it to us. 9Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not be afraid of the people of the land, for they will be like bread for us. Their protection has been removed, and the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them!”

10But the whole congregation threatened to stone Joshua and Caleb.

Then the glory of the LORD appeared to all the Israelites at the Tent of Meeting. 11And the LORD said to Moses, “How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them? 12I will strike them with a plague and destroy them—and I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are.”

Moses Intercedes for Israel

13But Moses said to the LORD, “The Egyptians will hear of it, for by Your strength You brought this people from among them. 14And they will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have already heard that You, O LORD, are in the midst of this people, that You, O LORD, have been seen face to face, that Your cloud stands over them, and that You go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

15If You kill this people as one man, the nations who have heard of Your fame will say, 16‘Because the LORD was unable to bring this people into the land He swore to give them, He has slaughtered them in the wilderness.’

17So now I pray, may the power of my Lord be magnified, just as You have declared: 18‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in loving devotion,a forgiving iniquity and transgression. Yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished; He will visit the iniquity of the fathers upon their children to the third and fourth generation.’

19Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people, in keeping with the greatness of Your loving devotion, just as You have forgiven them ever since they left Egypt.”

God’s Forgiveness and Judgment
(Deuteronomy 1:34–40)

20“I have pardoned them as you requested,” the LORD replied. 21“Yet as surely as I live and as surely as the whole earth is filled with the glory of the LORD, 22not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times— 23not one will ever see the land that I swore to give their fathers. None of those who have treated Me with contempt will see it.

24But because My servant Caleb has a different spirit and has followed Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he has entered, and his descendants will inherit it.

25Now since the Amalekites and Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and head for the wilderness along the route to the Red Sea.b”

26Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 27“How long will this wicked congregation grumble against Me? I have heard the complaints that the Israelites are making against Me. 28So tell them: As surely as I live, declares the LORD, I will do to you exactly as I heard you say. 29Your bodies will fall in this wilderness—all who were numbered in the census, everyone twenty years of age or older—because you have grumbled against Me.

30Surely none of you will enter the land in which I swore to settle you, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun. 31But I will bring your children, whom you said would become plunder, into the land you have rejected—and they will enjoy it. 32As for you, however, your bodies will fall in this wilderness.

33Your children will be shepherds in the wilderness for forty years, and they will suffer for your unfaithfulness until the last of your bodies lies in the wilderness. 34In keeping with the forty days you spied out the land, you shall bear your guilt forty years—a year for each day—and you will experience My alienation.

35I, the LORD, have spoken, and I will surely do these things to this entire wicked congregation, which has conspired against Me. They will meet their end in the wilderness, and there they will die.”

The Plague on the Ten Spies

36So the men Moses had sent to spy out the land, who had returned and made the whole congregation grumble against him by bringing out a bad report about the land— 37those men who had brought out the bad report about the land—were struck down by a plague before the LORD. 38Of those men who had gone to spy out the land, only Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh remained alive.

39And when Moses relayed these words to all the Israelites, the people mourned bitterly.

The Defeat at Hormah
(Deuteronomy 1:41–46)

40Early the next morning they got up and went up toward the ridge of the hill country. “We have indeed sinned,” they said, “but we will go to the place the LORD has promised.”

41But Moses said, “Why are you transgressing the commandment of the LORD? This will not succeed! 42Do not go up, lest you be struck down by your enemies, because the LORD is not among you. 43For there the Amalekites and Canaanites will face you, and you will fall by the sword. Because you have turned away from the LORD, He will not be with you.”

44But they dared to go up to the ridge of the hill country, though neither Moses nor the ark of the covenant of the LORD moved from the camp. 45Then the Amalekites and Canaanites who lived in that part of the hill country came down, attacked them, and routed them all the way to Hormah.

Laws about Offerings

1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: After you enter the land that I am giving you as a home 3and you present an offering made by fire to the LORD from the herd or flock to produce a pleasing aroma to the LORD—either a burnt offering or a sacrifice, for a special vow or freewill offering or appointed feast— 4then the one presenting his offering to the LORD shall also present a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah of fine floura mixed with a quarter hin of olive oil.b 5With the burnt offering or sacrifice of each lamb, you are to prepare a quarter hin of wine as a drink offering.

6With a ram you are to prepare a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephahc of fine flour mixed with a third of a hin of olive oil,d 7and a third of a hin of wine as a drink offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

8When you prepare a young bull as a burnt offering or sacrifice to fulfill a vow or as a peace offering to the LORD, 9present with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine floure mixed with half a hin of olive oil.f 10Also present half a hin of wine as a drink offering. It is an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 11This is to be done for each bull, ram, lamb, or goat. 12This is how you must prepare each one, no matter how many.

13Everyone who is native-born shall prepare these things in this way when he presents an offering made by fire as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 14And for the generations to come, if a foreigner residing with you or someone else among you wants to prepare an offering made by fire as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, he is to do exactly as you do. 15The assembly is to have the same statute both for you and for the foreign resident; it is a permanent statute for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the LORD. 16The same law and the same ordinance will apply both to you and to the foreigner residing with you.”

17Then the LORD said to Moses, 18“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you enter the land to which I am bringing you 19and you eat the food of the land, you shall lift up an offering to the LORD. 20From the first of your dough, you are to lift up a cake as a contribution; offer it just like an offering from the threshing floor. 21Throughout your generations, you are to give the LORD an offering from the first of your dough.

Offerings for Unintentional Sins

22Now if you stray unintentionally and do not obey all these commandments that the LORD has spoken to Moses— 23all that the LORD has commanded you through Moses from the day the LORD gave them and continuing through the generations to come— 24and if it was done unintentionally without the knowledge of the congregation, then the whole congregation is to prepare one young bull as a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma to the LORD, with its grain offering and drink offering according to the regulation, and one male goat as a sin offering.

25The priest is to make atonement for the whole congregation of Israel, so that they may be forgiven; for the sin was unintentional and they have brought to the LORD an offering made by fire and a sin offering, presented before the LORD for their unintentional sin. 26Then the whole congregation of Israel and the foreigners residing among them will be forgiven, since it happened to all the people unintentionally.

27Also, if one person sins unintentionally, he is to present a year-old female goat as a sin offering. 28And the priest shall make atonement before the LORD on behalf of the person who erred by sinning unintentionally; and when atonement has been made for him, he will be forgiven. 29You shall have the same law for the one who acts in error, whether he is a native-born Israelite or a foreigner residing among you.

30But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people. 31He shall certainly be cut off, because he has despised the word of the LORD and broken His commandment; his guilt remains on him.”

A Sabbath-Breaker Stoned
(Exodus 31:12–17)

32While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation, 34and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody.

35And the LORD said to Moses, “The man must surely be put to death. The whole congregation is to stone him outside the camp.”

36So the whole congregation took the man outside the camp and stoned him to death, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

The Law of Tassels

37Later, the LORD said to Moses, 38“Speak to the Israelites and tell them that throughout the generations to come they are to make for themselves tassels for the corners of their garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. 39These will serve as tassels for you to look at, so that you may remember all the commandments of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by following your own heart and your own eyes.

40Then you will remember and obey all My commandments, and you will be holy to your God. 41I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD your God.”

Korah’s Rebellion

1Now Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath son of Levi, along with some Reubenites—Dathan and Abiram, sons of Eliab, and On son of Peleth—conducted 2a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 men of Israel renowned as leaders of the congregation and representatives in the assembly. 3They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, “You have taken too much upon yourselves!a For everyone in the entire congregation is holy, and the LORD is in their midst. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?”

4When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. 5Then he said to Korah and all his followers, “Tomorrow morning the LORD will reveal who belongs to Himb and who is holy, and He will bring that person near to Himself. The one He chooses, He will bring near to Himself. 6You, Korah, and all your followers are to do as follows: Take censers, 7and tomorrow you are to place fire and incense in them in the presence of the LORD. Then the man the LORD chooses will be the one who is holy. It is you sons of Levi who have taken too much upon yourselves!”

8Moses also said to Korah, “Now listen, you sons of Levi! 9Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel and brought you near to Himself to perform the work at the LORD’s tabernacle, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them? 10He has brought you near, you and all your fellow Levites, but you are seeking the priesthood as well. 11Therefore, it is you and all your followers who have conspired against the LORD! As for Aaron, who is he that you should grumble against him?”

12Then Moses summoned Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, but they said, “We will not come! 13Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us? 14Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!”

15Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.”

16And Moses said to Korah, “You and all your followers are to appear before the LORD tomorrow—you and they and Aaron. 17Each man is to take his censer, place incense in it, and present it before the LORD—250 censers. You and Aaron are to present your censers as well.”

18So each man took his censer, put fire and incense in it, and stood with Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 19When Korah had gathered his whole assembly against them at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the glory of the LORD appeared to the whole congregation.

20And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 21“Separate yourselves from this congregation so that I may consume them in an instant.”

22But Moses and Aaron fell facedown and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, when one man sins, will You be angry with the whole congregation?”

Moses Separates the People

23Then the LORD said to Moses, 24“Tell the congregation to move away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.”

25So Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him. 26And he warned the congregation, “Move away now from the tents of these wicked men. Do not touch anything that belongs to them, or you will be swept away because of all their sins.”

27So they moved away from the dwellings of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. Meanwhile, Dathan and Abiram had come out and stood at the entrances to their tents with their wives and children and infants.

The Earth Swallows Korah

28Then Moses said, “This is how you will know that the LORD has sent me to do all these things, for it was not my own doing: 29If these men die a natural death, or if they suffer the fate of all men, then the LORD has not sent me. 30But if the LORD brings about something unprecedented, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them and all that belongs to them so that they go down alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have treated the LORD with contempt.”

31As soon as Moses had finished saying all this, the ground beneath them split open, 32and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households—all Korah’s men and all their possessions. 33They went down alive into Sheol with all they owned. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly.

34At their cries, all the people of Israel who were around them fled, saying, “The earth may swallow us too!” 35And fire came forth from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.

The Censers Reserved for Holy Use

36Then the LORD said to Moses, 37“Tell Eleazar son of Aaron the priest to remove the censers from the flames and to scatter the coals far away, because the censers are holy. 38As for the censers of those who sinned at the cost of their own lives, hammer them into sheets to overlay the altar, for these were presented before the LORD, and so have become holy. They will serve as a sign to the Israelites.”

39So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned up, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar, 40just as the LORD commanded him through Moses. This was to be a reminder to the Israelites that no outsider who is not a descendant of Aaron should approach to offer incense before the LORD, lest he become like Korah and his followers.

Murmuring and Plague
(1 Corinthians 10:1–13)

41The next day the whole congregation of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You have killed the LORD’s people!” 42But when the congregation gathered against them, Moses and Aaron turned toward the Tent of Meeting, and suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared.

43Then Moses and Aaron went to the front of the Tent of Meeting, 44and the LORD said to Moses, 45“Get away from this congregation so that I may consume them in an instant.” And Moses and Aaron fell facedown.

46Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, place fire from the altar in it, and add incense. Go quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, because wrath has come out from the LORD; the plague has begun.”

47So Aaron took the censer as Moses had ordered and ran into the midst of the assembly. And seeing that the plague had begun among the people, he offered the incense and made atonement for the people. 48He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague was halted. 49But those who died from the plague numbered 14,700, in addition to those who had died on account of Korah.

50Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, since the plague had been halted.

Aaron’s Staff Buds

1And the LORD said to Moses, 2“Speak to the Israelites and take from them twelve staffs, one from the leader of each tribe. Write each man’s name on his staff, 3and write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi, because there must be one staff for the head of each tribe. 4Place the staffs in the Tent of Meeting in front of the Testimony,a where I meet with you. 5The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid Myself of the constant grumbling of the Israelites against you.”

6So Moses spoke to the Israelites, and each of their leaders gave him a staff—one for each of the leaders of their tribes, twelve staffs in all. And Aaron’s staff was among them. 7Then Moses placed the staffs before the LORD in the Tent of the Testimony.

8The next day Moses entered the Tent of the Testimony and saw that Aaron’s staff, representing the house of Levi, had sprouted, put forth buds, blossomed, and produced almonds. 9Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the LORD’s presence to all the Israelites. They saw them, and each man took his own staff.

10The LORD said to Moses, “Put Aaron’s staff back in front of the Testimony, to be kept as a sign for the rebellious, so that you may put an end to their grumbling against Me, lest they die.” 11So Moses did as the LORD had commanded him.

12Then the Israelites declared to Moses, “Look, we are perishing! We are lost; we are all lost! 13Anyone who comes near the tabernacle of the LORD will die. Are we all going to perish?”

4 a The Testimony  refers to the stone tablets in the ark of the covenant inscribed with the Ten Commandments; also in verse 10.

Duties of Priests and Levites

1So the LORD said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your father’s house must bear the iniquity involving the sanctuary. And you and your sons alone must bear the iniquity involving your priesthood. 2But bring with you also your brothers from the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, that they may join you and assist you and your sons before the Tent of the Testimony. 3And they shall attend to your duties and to all the duties of the Tent; but they must not come near to the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar, or both they and you will die. 4They are to join you and attend to the duties of the Tent of Meeting, doing all the work at the Tent; but no outsider may come near you.

5And you shall attend to the duties of the sanctuary and of the altar, so that wrath may not fall on the Israelites again. 6Behold, I Myself have selected your fellow Levites from the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to perform the service for the Tent of Meeting. 7But only you and your sons shall attend to your priesthood for everything concerning the altar and what is inside the veil, and you are to perform that service. I am giving you the work of the priesthood as a gift, but any outsider who comes near the sanctuary must be put to death.”

Offerings for Priests and Levites

8Then the LORD said to Aaron, “Behold, I have put you in charge of My offerings. As for all the sacred offerings of the Israelites, I have given them to you and your sons as a portion and a permanent statute. 9A portion of the most holy offerings reserved from the fire will be yours. From all the offerings they render to Me as most holy offerings, whether grain offerings or sin offerings or guilt offerings, that part belongs to you and your sons. 10You are to eat it as a most holy offering,a and every male may eat it. You shall regard it as holy.

11And this is yours as well: the offering of their gifts, along with all the wave offerings of the Israelites. I have given this to you and your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. Every ceremonially clean person in your household may eat it. 12I give you all the freshest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain that the Israelites give to the LORD as their firstfruits. 13The firstfruits of everything in their land that they bring to the LORD will belong to you. Every ceremonially clean person in your household may eat them.

14Every devoted thing in Israel belongs to you. 15The firstborn of every womb, whether man or beast, that is offered to the LORD belongs to you. But you must surely redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals. 16You are to pay the redemption price for a month-old male according to your valuation: five shekels of silver,b according to the sanctuary shekel, which is twenty gerahs.c

17But you must not redeem the firstborn of an ox, a sheep, or a goat; they are holy. You are to sprinkle their blood on the altar and burn their fat as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. 18And their meat belongs to you, just as the breast and right thigh of the wave offering belong to you.

19All the holy offerings that the Israelites present to the LORD I give to you and to your sons and daughters as a permanent statute. It is a permanent covenant of saltd before the LORD for you and your offspring.”

20Then the LORD said to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites.

21Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting. 22No longer may the Israelites come near to the Tent of Meeting, or they will incur guilt and die.

23The Levites are to perform the work of the Tent of Meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. This is a permanent statute for the generations to come. The Levites will not receive an inheritance among the Israelites. 24For I have given to the Levites as their inheritance the tithe that the Israelites present to the LORD as a contribution. That is why I told them that they would not receive an inheritance among the Israelites.”

25And the LORD instructed Moses, 26“Speak to the Levites and tell them: ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you as your inheritance, you must present part of it as an offering to the LORD—a tithe of the tithe. 27Your offering will be reckoned to you as grain from the threshing floor or juice from the winepress. 28So you are to present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites, and from these you are to give the LORD’s offering to Aaron the priest. 29You must present the offering due the LORD from all the best of every gift, the holiest part of it.’

30Therefore say to the Levites, ‘When you have presented the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the produce of the threshing floor or winepress. 31And you and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere; it is the compensation for your work at the Tent of Meeting. 32Once you have presented the best part of it, you will not incur guilt because of it. But you must not defile the sacred offerings of the Israelites, or else you will die.’ ”

The Red Heifer

1Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 2“This is the statute of the law that the LORD has commanded: Instruct the Israelites to bring you an unblemished red heifer that has no defect and has never been placed under a yoke. 3Give it to Eleazar the priest, and he will have it brought outside the camp and slaughtered in his presence.

4Eleazar the priest is to take some of its blood on his finger and sprinkle it seven times toward the front of the Tent of Meeting. 5Then the heifer must be burned in his sight. Its hide, its flesh, and its blood are to be burned, along with its dung. 6The priest is to take cedar wood, hyssop, and scarlet wool and throw them onto the burning heifer.

7Then the priest must wash his clothes and bathe his body in water; after that he may enter the camp, but he will be ceremonially unclean until evening. 8The one who burned the heifer must also wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and he too will be ceremonially unclean until evening.

9Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to gather up the ashes of the heifer and store them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They must be kept by the congregation of Israel for preparing the water of purification; this is for purification from sin. 10The man who has gathered up the ashes of the heifer must also wash his clothes, and he will be ceremonially unclean until evening. This is a permanent statute for the Israelites and for the foreigner residing among them.

Purification of the Unclean

11Whoever touches any dead body will be unclean for seven days. 12He must purify himself with the water on the third day and on the seventh day; then he will be clean. But if he does not purify himself on the third and seventh days, he will not be clean. 13Anyone who touches a human corpse and fails to purify himself defiles the tabernacle of the LORD. That person must be cut off from Israel. He remains unclean, because the water of purification has not been sprinkled on him, and his uncleanness is still on him.

14This is the law when a person dies in a tent: Everyone who enters the tent and everyone already in the tent will be unclean for seven days, 15and any open container without a lid fastened on it is unclean.

16Anyone in the open field who touches someone who has been killed by the sword or has died of natural causes, or anyone who touches a human bone or a grave, will be unclean for seven days.

17For the purification of the unclean person, take some of the ashes of the burnt sin offering, put them in a jar, and pour fresh watera over them. 18Then a man who is ceremonially clean is to take some hyssop, dip it in the water, and sprinkle the tent, all the furnishings, and the people who were there. He is also to sprinkle the one who touched a bone, a grave, or a person who has died or been slain.

19The man who is ceremonially clean is to sprinkle the unclean person on the third day and on the seventh day. After he purifies the unclean person on the seventh day, the one being cleansed must wash his clothes and bathe in water, and that evening he will be clean. 20But if a person who is unclean does not purify himself, he will be cut off from the assembly, because he has defiled the sanctuary of the LORD. The water of purification has not been sprinkled on him; he is unclean.

21This is a permanent statute for the people: The one who sprinkles the water of purification must wash his clothes, and whoever touches the water of purification will be unclean until evening. 22Anything the unclean person touches will become unclean, and anyone who touches it will be unclean until evening.”

17 a Or flowing water  or living water 

Water from the Rock
(Exodus 17:1–7)

1In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel entered the Wilderness of Zin and stayed in Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried.

2Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron. 3The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD! 4Why have you brought the LORD’s assembly into this wilderness for us and our livestock to die here? 5Why have you led us up out of Egypt to bring us to this wretched place? It is not a place of grain, figs, vines, or pomegranates—and there is no water to drink!”

6Then Moses and Aaron went from the presence of the assembly to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. They fell facedown, and the glory of the LORD appeared to them. 7And the LORD said to Moses, 8“Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.”

9So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he had been commanded. 10Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” 11Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with his staff, so that a great amount of water gushed out, and the congregation and their livestock were able to drink.

12But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust Me to show My holiness in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them.”

13These were the waters of Meribah,a where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD, and He showed His holiness among them.

Edom Refuses Passage

14From Kadesh, Moses sent messengers to tell the king of Edom, “This is what your brother Israel says: You know all the hardship that has befallen us, 15how our fathers went down to Egypt, where we lived many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers, 16and when we cried out to the LORD, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt.

Now look, we are in Kadesh, a city on the edge of your territory. 17Please let us pass through your land. We will not cut through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway; we will not turn to the right or to the left until we have passed through your territory.”

18But Edom answered, “You may not travel through our land, or we will come out and confront you with the sword.”

19“We will stay on the main road,” the Israelites replied, “and if we or our herds drink your water, we will pay for it. There will be no problem; only let us pass through on foot.”

20But Edom insisted, “You may not pass through.” And they came out to confront the Israelites with a large army and a strong hand. 21So Edom refused to allow Israel to pass through their territory, and Israel turned away from them.

The Death of Aaron

22After they had set out from Kadesh, the whole congregation of Israel came to Mount Hor. 23And at Mount Hor, near the border of the land of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 24“Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land that I have given the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. 25Take Aaron and his son Eleazar and bring them up Mount Hor. 26Remove Aaron’s priestly garments and put them on his son Eleazar. Aaron will be gathered to his people and will die there.”

27So Moses did as the LORD had commanded, and they climbed Mount Hor in the sight of the whole congregation. 28After Moses had removed Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, Aaron died there on top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29When the whole congregation saw that Aaron had died, the entire house of Israel mourned for him thirty days.

The Defeat of Arad

1When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked Israel and captured some prisoners. 2So Israel made a vow to the LORD: “If You will deliver this people into our hands, we will devote their cities to destruction.a”

3And the LORD heard Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. Israel devoted them and their cities to destruction; so they named the place Hormah.b

The Bronze Serpent

4Then they set out from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea,c in order to bypass the land of Edom. But the people grew impatient on the journey 5and spoke against God and against Moses: “Why have you led us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? There is no bread or water, and we detest this wretched food!”

6So the LORD sent venomous snakes among the people, and many of the Israelites were bitten and died.

7Then the people came to Moses and said, “We have sinned by speaking against the LORD and against you. Intercede with the LORD so He will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses interceded for the people.

8Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent and mount it on a pole. When anyone who is bitten looks at it, he will live.” 9So Moses made a bronze snake and mounted it on a pole. If anyone who was bitten looked at the bronze snake, he would live.

The Journey to Moab

10Then the Israelites set out and camped at Oboth. 11They journeyed from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim in the wilderness opposite Moab to the east. 12From there they set out and camped in the Valley of Zered. 13From there they moved on and camped on the other side of the Arnon, in the wilderness that extends into the Amorite territory.

Now the Arnon is the border between the Moabites and the Amorites. 14Therefore it is stated in the Book of the Wars of the LORD:

“Waheb in Suphah

and the wadis of the Arnon,

15even the slopes of the wadis

that extend to the site of Ar

and lie along the border of Moab.”

16From there they went on to Beer,d the well where the LORD said to Moses, “Gather the people so that I may give them water.” 17Then Israel sang this song:

“Spring up, O well,

all of you sing to it!

18The princes dug the well;

the nobles of the people hollowed it out

with their scepters

and with their staffs.”

From the wilderness the Israelites went on to Mattanah, 19and from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.e

The Defeat of Sihon
(Deuteronomy 2:24–37)

21Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites, saying, 22“Let us pass through your land. We will not cut through any field or vineyard, or drink water from any well. We will stay on the King’s Highway until we have passed through your territory.”

23But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, he gathered his whole army and went out to confront Israel in the wilderness. When he came to Jahaz,f he fought against Israel. 24And Israel put him to the sword and took possession of his land, from the Arnon to the Jabbok—but only up to the border of the Ammonites, because it was fortified.g

25Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its villages. 26Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and taken all his land as far as the Arnon. 27That is why the poets say:

“Come to Heshbon, let it be rebuilt;

let the city of Sihon be restored.

28For a fire went out from Heshbon,

a blaze from the city of Sihon.

It consumed Ar of Moab,

the rulers of Arnon’s heights.

29Woe to you, O Moab!

You are destroyed, O people of Chemosh!

He gave up his sons as refugees,

and his daughters into captivity

to Sihon king of the Amorites.

30But we have overthrown them;

Heshbon is destroyed as far as Dibon.

We demolished them as far as Nophah,

which reaches to Medeba.h”

The Defeat of Og
(Deuteronomy 3:1–11)

31So Israel lived in the land of the Amorites. 32After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, Israel captured its villages and drove out the Amorites who were there.

33Then they turned and went up the road to Bashan, and Og king of Bashan and his whole army came out to meet them in battle at Edrei.

34But the LORD said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I have delivered him into your hand, along with all his people and his land. Do to him as you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon.”

35So they struck down Og, along with his sons and his whole army, until no remnant was left. And they took possession of his land.

Balak Summons Balaam

1Then the Israelites traveled on and camped in the plains of Moab near the Jordan, across from Jericho.

2Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3and Moab was terrified of the people because they were numerous. Indeed, Moab dreaded the Israelites. 4So the Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde will devour everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.”

Since Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time, 5he sent messengers to Balaam son of Beor at Pethor, which is by the Euphratesa in the land of his people.

“Behold, a people has come out of Egypt,” said Balak. “They cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. 6So please come now and put a curse on this people, because they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land; for I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed.”

7The elders of Moab and Midian departed with the fees for divination in hand. They came to Balaam and relayed to him the words of Balak.

8“Spend the night here,” Balaam replied, “and I will give you the answer that the LORD speaks to me.” So the princes of Moab stayed with Balaam.

9Then God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”

10And Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 11‘Behold, a people has come out of Egypt, and they cover the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps I may be able to fight against them and drive them away.’ ”

12But God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them. You are not to curse this people, for they are blessed.”

13So Balaam got up the next morning and said to Balak’s princes, “Go back to your homeland, because the LORD has refused to let me go with you.”

14And the princes of Moab arose, returned to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

15Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first messengers. 16They came to Balaam and said, “This is what Balak son of Zippor says: ‘Please let nothing hinder you from coming to me, 17for I will honor you richly and do whatever you say. So please come and put a curse on this people for me!’ ”

18But Balaam replied to the servants of Balak, “If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything small or great to go beyond the command of the LORD my God. 19So now, please stay here overnight as the others did, that I may find out what else the LORD has to tell me.”

20That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, get up and go with them, but you must only do what I tell you.” 21So in the morning Balaam got up, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.

The Angel and Balaam’s Donkey

22Then God’s anger was kindled because Balaam was going along, and the angelb of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding his donkey, and his two servants were with him.

23When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the path and went into a field. So Balaam beat her to return her to the path.

24Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow passage between two vineyards, with walls on either side. 25And the donkey saw the angel of the LORD and pressed herself against the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it. So he beat her once again.

26And the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn to the right or left. 27When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he became furious and beat her with his staff.

28Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you that you have beaten me these three times?”

29Balaam answered the donkey, “You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now!”

30But the donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not the donkey you have ridden all your life until today? Have I ever treated you this way before?”

“No,” he replied.

31Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand. And Balaam bowed low and fell facedown.

32The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you, because your way is perversec before me. 33The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, then by now I would surely have killed you and let her live.”

34“I have sinned,” Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “for I did not realize that you were standing in the road to confront me. And now, if this is displeasing in your sight, I will go back home.”

35But the angel of the LORD said to Balaam, “Go with the men, but you are to speak only what I tell you.” So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

36When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite city on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. 37And he said to Balaam, “Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why did you not come to me? Am I really not able to richly reward you?”

38“See, I have come to you,” Balaam replied, “but can I say just anything? I must speak only the word that God puts in my mouth.”

39So Balaam accompanied Balak, and they came to Kiriath-huzoth. 40Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and he gave portions to Balaam and the princes who were with him.

41The next morning, Balak took Balaam and brought him up to Bamoth-baal. From there he could see the outskirts of the camp of the people.

Balaam’s First Oracle

1Then Balaam said to Balak, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”

2So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

3“Stay here by your burnt offering while I am gone,” Balaam said to Balak. “Perhaps the LORD will meet with me. And whatever He reveals to me, I will tell you.”

So Balaam went off to a barren height, 4and God met with him. “I have set up seven altars,” Balaam said, “and on each altar I have offered a bull and a ram.”

5Then the LORD put a message in Balaam’s mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and give him this message.”

6So he returned to Balak, who was standing there beside his burnt offering, with all the princes of Moab.

7And Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Balak brought me from Aram,

the king of Moab from the mountains of the east.

‘Come,’ he said, ‘put a curse on Jacob for me;

come and denounce Israel!’

8How can I curse what God has not cursed?

How can I denounce what the LORD has not denounced?

9For I see them from atop the rocky cliffs,

and I watch them from the hills.

Behold, a people dwelling apart,

not reckoning themselves among the nations.

10Who can count the dust of Jacob

or number even a fourth of Israel?

Let me die the death of the righteous;

let my end be like theirs!”

11Then Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you here to curse my enemies, and behold, you have only blessed them!”

12But Balaam replied, “Should I not speak exactly what the LORD puts in my mouth?”

Balaam’s Second Oracle

13Then Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place where you can see them. You will only see the outskirts of their camp—not all of them. And from there, curse them for me.”

14So Balak took him to the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, where he built seven altars and offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

15Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your burnt offering while I meet the LORD over there.”

16And the LORD met with Balaam and put a message in his mouth, saying, “Return to Balak and speak what I tell you.”

17So he returned to Balak, who was standing there by his burnt offering with the princes of Moab.

“What did the LORD say?” Balak asked.

18Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Arise, O Balak, and listen;

give ear to me, O son of Zippor.

19God is not a man, that He should lie,

or a son of man, that He should change His mind.

Does He speak and not act?

Does He promise and not fulfill?

20I have indeed received a command to bless;

He has blessed, and I cannot change it.

21He considers no disaster for Jacob;

He sees no trouble for Israel.

The LORD their God is with them,

and the shout of the King is among them.

22God brought them out of Egypt

with strength like a wild ox.

23For there is no spell against Jacob

and no divination against Israel.

It will now be said of Jacob and Israel,

‘What great things God has done!’

24Behold, the people rise like a lioness;

they rouse themselves like a lion,

not resting until they devour their prey

and drink the blood of the slain.”

25Now Balak said to Balaam, “Then neither curse them at all nor bless them at all!”

26But Balaam replied, “Did I not tell you that whatever the LORD says, I must do?”

27“Please come,” said Balak, “I will take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God that you curse them for me from there.”

28And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, which overlooks the wasteland.a

29Then Balaam said, “Build for me seven altars here, and prepare for me seven bulls and seven rams.”

30So Balak did as Balaam had instructed, and he offered a bull and a ram on each altar.

Balaam’s Third Oracle

1And when Balaam saw that it pleased the LORD to bless Israel, he did not resort to sorcery as on previous occasions, but he turned his face toward the wilderness. 2When Balaam looked up and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came upon him, 3and he lifted up an oracle, saying:

“This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,

the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,

who sees a vision from the Almighty,a

who bows down with eyes wide open:

5How lovely are your tents, O Jacob,

your dwellings, O Israel!

6They spread out like palm groves,b

like gardens beside a stream,

like aloes the LORD has planted,

like cedars beside the waters.

7Water will flow from his buckets,

and his seed will have abundant water.

His king will be greater than Agag,

and his kingdom will be exalted.

8God brought him out of Egypt

with strength like a wild ox,

to devour hostile nations and crush their bones,

to pierce them with arrows.

9He crouches, he lies down like a lion;

like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?

Blessed are those who bless you

and cursed are those who curse you.”

Balak Dismisses Balaam

10Then Balak’s anger burned against Balaam, and he struck his hands together and said to Balaam, “I summoned you to curse my enemies, but behold, you have persisted in blessing them these three times. 11Therefore, flee at once to your home! I said I would richly reward you, but instead the LORD has denied your reward.”

12Balaam answered Balak, “Did I not already tell the messengers you sent me 13that even if Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD? I will speak whatever the LORD says. 14Now I am going back to my people, but come, let me warn you what this people will do to your people in the days to come.”

Balaam’s Fourth Oracle

15Then Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying,

“This is the prophecy of Balaam son of Beor,

the prophecy of a man whose eyes are open,

16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God,

who has knowledge from the Most High,

who sees a vision from the Almighty,

who bows down with eyes wide open:

17I see him, but not now;

I behold him, but not near.

A star will come forth from Jacob,

and a scepter will arise from Israel.

He will crush the skullsc of Moab

and strike down all the sons of Sheth.

18Edom will become a possession,

as will Seir, his enemy;

but Israel will perform with valor.

19A ruler will come from Jacob

and destroy the survivors of the city.”

Balaam’s Final Three Oracles

20Then Balaam saw Amalek and lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Amalek was first among the nations,

but his end is destruction.”

21Next he saw the Kenites and lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Your dwelling place is secure,

and your nest is set in a cliff.

22Yet Kain will be destroyed

when Asshurd takes you captive.”

23Once more Balaam lifted up an oracle, saying:

“Ah, who can live

unless God has ordained it?

24Ships will come from the coasts of Cyprus;e

they will subdue Asshur and Eber,

but they too will perish forever.”

25Then Balaam arose and returned to his homeland, and Balak also went on his way.

Moab Seduces Israel
(1 Corinthians 10:1–13)

1While Israel was staying in Shittim,a the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab, 2who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods. 3So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.

4Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that His fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”

5So Moses told the judges of Israel, “Each of you must kill all of his men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.”

The Zeal of Phinehas

6Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. 7On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand, 8followed the Israelite into his tent, and drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and on through the belly of the woman.

So the plague against the Israelites was halted, 9but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.

10Then the LORD said to Moses, 11“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal. 12Declare, therefore, that I am granting him My covenant of peace. 13It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”

14The name of the Israelite who was slain with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, the leader of a Simeonite family. 15And the name of the slain Midianite woman was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a Midianite family.

16And the LORD said to Moses, 17“Attack the Midianites and strike them dead. 18For they assailed you deceitfully when they seduced you in the matter of Peor and their sister Cozbi, the daughter of the Midianite leader, the woman who was killed on the day the plague came because of Peor.”

The Second Census of Israel
(Numbers 1:1–4)

1After the plague had ended, the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, 2“Take a census of the whole congregation of Israel by the houses of their fathers—all those twenty years of age or older who can serve in the army of Israel.”

3So on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, Moses and Eleazar the priest issued the instruction, 4“Take a census of the men twenty years of age or older,a as the LORD has commanded Moses.”

And these were the Israelites who came out of the land of Egypt:

The Tribe of Reuben

5Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. These were the descendants of Reuben:

The Hanochite clan from Hanoch,

the Palluite clan from Pallu,

6the Hezronite clan from Hezron,

and the Carmite clan from Carmi.

7These were the clans of Reuben, and their registration numbered 43,730.

8Now the son of Pallu was Eliab, 9and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram.

It was Dathan and Abiram, chosen by the congregation, who fought against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah who rebelled against the LORD. 10And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them along with Korah, whose followers died when the fire consumed 250 men. They serve as a warning sign. 11However, the line of Korah did not die out.

The Tribe of Simeon

12These were the descendants of Simeon by their clans:

The Nemuelite clan from Nemuel,b

the Jaminite clan from Jamin,

the Jachinite clan from Jachin,

13the Zerahite clan from Zerah,c

and the Shaulite clan from Shaul.

14These were the clans of Simeon, and there were 22,200 men.

The Tribe of Gad

15These were the descendants of Gad by their clans:

The Zephonite clan from Zephon,

the Haggite clan from Haggi,

the Shunite clan from Shuni,

16the Oznite clan from Ozni,

the Erite clan from Eri,

17the Arodite clan from Arod,d

and the Arelite clan from Areli.

18These were the clans of Gad, and their registration numbered 40,500.

The Tribe of Judah

19The sons of Judah were Er and Onan, but they died in the land of Canaan. 20These were the descendants of Judah by their clans:

The Shelanite clan from Shelah,

the Perezite clan from Perez,

and the Zerahite clan from Zerah.

21And these were the descendants of Perez:

the Hezronite clan from Hezron

and the Hamulite clan from Hamul.

22These were the clans of Judah, and their registration numbered 76,500.

The Tribe of Issachar

23These were the descendants of Issachar by their clans:

The Tolaite clan from Tola,

the Punite clan from Puvah,e

24the Jashubite clan from Jashub,f

and the Shimronite clan from Shimron.

25These were the clans of Issachar, and their registration numbered 64,300.

The Tribe of Zebulun

26These were the descendants of Zebulun by their clans:

The Seredite clan from Sered,

the Elonite clan from Elon,

and the Jahleelite clan from Jahleel.

27These were the clans of Zebulun, and their registration numbered 60,500.

The Tribe of Manasseh

28The descendants of Joseph included the clans of Manasseh and Ephraim.

29These were the descendants of Manasseh:

The Machirite clan from Machir, the father of Gilead,

and the Gileadite clan from Gilead.

30These were the descendants of Gilead:

the Iezerite clan from Iezer,g

the Helekite clan from Helek,

31the Asrielite clan from Asriel,

the Shechemite clan from Shechem,

32the Shemidaite clan from Shemida,

and the Hepherite clan from Hepher.

33Now Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons but only daughters. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.

34These were the clans of Manasseh, and their registration numbered 52,700.

The Tribe of Ephraim

35These were the descendants of Ephraim by their clans:

The Shuthelahite clan from Shuthelah,

the Becherite clan from Becher,

and the Tahanite clan from Tahan.

36And the descendants of Shuthelah were the Eranite clan from Eran.

37These were the clans of Ephraim, and their registration numbered 32,500.

These clans were the descendants of Joseph.

The Tribe of Benjamin

38These were the descendants of Benjamin by their clans:

The Belaite clan from Bela,

the Ashbelite clan from Ashbel,

the Ahiramite clan from Ahiram,

39the Shuphamite clan from Shupham,h

and the Huphamite clan from Hupham.

40And the descendants of Bela from Ard and Naaman were the Ardite clan from Ardi and the Naamite clan from Naaman.

41These were the clans of Benjamin, and their registration numbered 45,600.

The Tribe of Dan

42These were the descendants of Dan by their clans:

The Shuhamite clan from Shuham.

These were the clans of Dan. 43All of them were Shuhamite clans, and their registration numbered 64,400.

The Tribe of Asher

44These were the descendants of Asher by their clans:

The Imnite clan from Imnah,

the Ishvite clan from Ishvi,

and the Beriite clan from Beriah.

45And these were the descendants of Beriah:

the Heberite clan from Heber

and the Malchielite clan from Malchiel.

46And the name of Asher’s daughter was Serah.

47These were the clans of Asher, and their registration numbered 53,400.

The Tribe of Naphtali

48These were the descendants of Naphtali by their clans:

The Jahzeelite clan from Jahzeel,

the Gunite clan from Guni,

49the Jezerite clan from Jezer,

and the Shillemite clan from Shillem.

50These were the clans of Naphtali, and their registration numbered 45,400.

51These men of Israel numbered 601,730 in all.

Inheritance by Lot

52Then the LORD said to Moses, 53“The land is to be divided among the tribes as an inheritance, according to the number of names. 54Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered.

55Indeed, the land must be divided by lot; they shall receive their inheritance according to the names of the tribes of their fathers. 56Each inheritance is to be divided by lot among the larger and smaller tribes.”

The Levites Numbered

57Now these were the Levites numbered by their clans:

The Gershonite clan from Gershon,

the Kohathite clan from Kohath,

and the Merarite clan from Merari.

58These were the families of the Levites:

The Libnite clan,

the Hebronite clan,

the Mahlite clan,

the Mushite clan,

and the Korahite clan.

Now Kohath was the father of Amram, 59and Amram’s wife was named Jochebed. She was also a daughter of Levi, born to Levi in Egypt. To Amram she bore Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam. 60Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar were born to Aaron, 61but Nadab and Abihu died when they offered unauthorizedj fire before the LORD.

62The registration of the Levites totaled 23,000, every male a month old or more; they were not numbered among the other Israelites, because no inheritance was given to them among the Israelites.

Only Caleb and Joshua Remain

63These were the ones numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest when they counted the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho.

64Among all these, however, there was not one who had been numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Wilderness of Sinai. 65For the LORD had told them that they would surely die in the wilderness. Not one was left except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.

The Daughters of Zelophehad
(Numbers 36:1–13)

1Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached 2the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said, 3“Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. 4Why should the name of our father disappear from his clan because he had no sons? Give us property among our father’s brothers.”

5So Moses brought their case before the LORD, 6and the LORD answered him, 7“The daughters of Zelophehad speak correctly. You certainly must give them property as an inheritance among their father’s brothers, and transfer their father’s inheritance to them.

8Furthermore, you shall say to the Israelites, ‘If a man dies and leaves no son, you are to transfer his inheritance to his daughter. 9If he has no daughter, give his inheritance to his brothers. 10If he has no brothers, give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11And if his father has no brothers, give his inheritance to the next of kin from his clan, that he may take possession of it. This is to be a statutory ordinance for the Israelites, as the LORD has commanded Moses.’ ”

Moses Requests a Successor
(Deuteronomy 3:23–29)

12Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim rangea and see the land that I have given the Israelites. 13After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was; 14for when the congregation contended in the Wilderness of Zin, both of you rebelled against My command to show My holiness in their sight regarding the waters.” Those were the waters of Meribahb in Kadesh, in the Wilderness of Zin.

15So Moses appealed to the LORD, 16“May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation 17who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd.”

Joshua to Succeed Moses
(Deuteronomy 31:1–8)

18And the LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him. 19Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight. 20Confer on him some of your authority, so that the whole congregation of Israel will obey him. 21He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the judgment of the Urim.c At his command, he and all the Israelites with him—the entire congregation—will go out and come in.”

22Moses did as the LORD had commanded him. He took Joshua, had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation, 23and laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD had instructed through Moses.

12 a LXX Go up Mount Nebo beyond the Jordan 
14 b Meribah  means quarreling ; see Exodus 17:7.
21 c Literally the Lights 

The Daily Offerings
(Exodus 29:38–44)

1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“Command the Israelites and say to them: See that you present to Me at its appointed time the food for My offerings by fire, as a pleasing aroma to Me.

3And tell them that this is the offering made by fire you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs. 4Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight,a 5along with a tenth of an ephah of fine flourb as a grain offering, mixed with a quarter hin of oil from pressed olives.c

6This is a regular burnt offering established at Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD. 7The drink offering accompanying each lamb shall be a quarter hin. Pour out the offering of fermented drink to the LORD in the sanctuary area. 8And offer the second lamb at twilight, with the same grain offering and drink offering as in the morning. It is an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD.

The Sabbath Offerings

9On the Sabbath day, present two unblemished year-old male lambs, accompanied by a grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah of fine flourd mixed with oil, as well as a drink offering.

10This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

The Monthly Offerings

11At the beginning of every month, you are to present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 12along with three-tenths of an ephah of fine floure mixed with oil as a grain offering with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with the ram, 13and a tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil as a grain offering with each lamb. This is a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

14Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of winef with each bull, a third of a hing with the ram, and a quarter hin with each lamb. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon throughout the year.

15In addition to the regular burnt offering with its drink offering, one male goat is to be presented to the LORD as a sin offering.

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread
(Exodus 12:14–28; Leviticus 23:4–8; Deuteronomy 16:1–8)

16The fourteenth day of the first month is the LORD’s Passover. 17On the fifteenth day of this month, there shall be a feast; for seven days unleavened bread is to be eaten.

18On the first day there is to be a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work. 19Present to the LORD an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished. 20The grain offering shall consist of fine flour mixed with oil; offer three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, 21and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs. 22Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you.

23You are to present these in addition to the regular morning burnt offering. 24Offer the same food each day for seven days as an offering made by fire, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. It is to be offered with its drink offering and the regular burnt offering.

25On the seventh day you shall hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.

The Feast of Weeks
(Deuteronomy 16:9–12)

26On the day of firstfruits, when you present an offering of new grain to the LORD during the Feast of Weeks,h you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work.

27Present a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, 28together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with each bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, 29and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs.

30Include one male goat to make atonement for you. 31Offer them with their drink offerings in addition to the regular burnt offering and its grain offering. The animals must be unblemished.

The Feast of Trumpets
(Leviticus 23:23–25)

1“On the first day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you must not do any regular work. This will be a day for you to sound the trumpets.

2As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 3together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephaha with the bull, two-tenths of an ephahb with the ram, 4and a tenth of an ephahc with each of the seven male lambs.

5Include one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement for you. 6These are in addition to the monthly and daily burnt offerings with their prescribed grain offerings and drink offerings. They are a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD.

The Day of Atonement
(Leviticus 16:1–34; Leviticus 23:26–32)

7On the tenth day of this seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly, and you shall humble yourselves;d you must not do any work.

8Present as a pleasing aroma to the LORD a burnt offering of one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 9together with their grain offerings of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths of an ephah with the bull, two-tenths of an ephah with the ram, 10and a tenth of an ephah with each of the seven lambs.

11Include one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering of atonement and the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offerings.

The Feast of Tabernacles
(Deuteronomy 16:13–17)

12On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you are to hold a sacred assembly; you must not do any regular work, and you shall observe a feast to the LORD for seven days.

13As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 14along with the grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil with each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths of an ephah with each of the two rams, 15and a tenth of an ephah with each of the fourteen lambs. 16Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

17On the second day you are to present twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 18along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 19Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

20On the third day you are to present eleven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 21along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 22Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

23On the fourth day you are to present ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 24along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 25Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

26On the fifth day you are to present nine bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 27along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 28Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

29On the sixth day you are to present eight bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 30along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 31Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

32On the seventh day you are to present seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 33along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 34Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

35On the eighth day you are to hold a solemn assembly; you must not do any regular work. 36As a pleasing aroma to the LORD, you are to present an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of one bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old, all unblemished, 37along with the grain and drink offerings for the bulls, rams, and lambs, according to the number prescribed. 38Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

39You are to present these offerings to the LORD at your appointed times, in addition to your vow and freewill offerings, whether burnt offerings, grain offerings, drink offerings, or peace offerings.”

40So Moses spoke all this to the Israelites just as the LORD had commanded him.

Laws about Vows
(Matthew 5:33–37)

1Then Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel, “This is what the LORD has commanded: 2If a man makes a vow to the LORD or swears an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word; he must do everything he has promised.a

3And if a woman in her father’s house during her youth makes a vow to the LORD or obligates herself by a pledge, 4and her father hears about her vow or pledge but says nothing to her, then all the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. 5But if her father prohibits her on the day he hears about it, then none of the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. The LORD will absolve her because her father has prohibited her.

6If a woman marries while under a vow or rash promise by which she has bound herself, 7and her husband hears of it but says nothing to her on that day, then the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. 8But if her husband prohibits her when he hears of it, he nullifies the vow that binds her or the rash promise she has made, and the LORD will absolve her.

9Every vow a widow or divorced woman pledges to fulfill is binding on her.

10If a woman in her husband’s house has made a vow or put herself under an obligation with an oath, 11and her husband hears of it but says nothing to her and does not prohibit her, then all the vows or pledges by which she has bound herself shall stand. 12But if her husband nullifies them on the day he hears of them, then nothing that came from her lips, whether her vows or pledges, shall stand. Her husband has nullified them, and the LORD will absolve her.

13Her husband may confirm or nullify any vow or any sworn pledge to deny herself.b 14But if her husband says nothing to her from day to day, then he confirms all the vows and pledges that bind her. He has confirmed them, because he said nothing to her on the day he heard about them. 15But if he nullifies them after he hears of them, then he will bear her iniquity.”

16These are the statutes that the LORD commanded Moses concerning the relationship between a man and his wife, and between a father and a young daughter still in his home.

Vengeance on Midian

1And the LORD said to Moses, 2“Take vengeance on the Midianites for the Israelites. After that, you will be gathered to your people.”

3So Moses told the people, “Arm some of your men for war, that they may go against the Midianites and execute the LORD’s vengeance on them. 4Send into battle a thousand men from each tribe of Israel.”

5So a thousand men were recruited from each tribe of Israel—twelve thousand armed for war. 6And Moses sent the thousand from each tribe into battle, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar the priest, who took with him the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling.

7Then they waged war against Midian, as the LORD had commanded Moses, and they killed every male. 8Among the slain were Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba—the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam son of Beor with the sword.

9The Israelites captured the Midianite women and their children, and they plundered all their herds, flocks, and goods. 10Then they burned all the cities where the Midianites had lived, as well as all their encampments, 11and carried away all the plunder and spoils, both people and animals.

12They brought the captives, spoils, and plunder to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of Israel at the camp on the plains of Moab, by the Jordan across from Jericho. 13And Moses, Eleazar the priest, and all the leaders of the congregation went to meet them outside the camp.

14But Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who were returning from the battle. 15“Have you spared all the women?” he asked them. 16“Look, these women caused the sons of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to turn unfaithfully against the LORD at Peor, so that the plague struck the congregation of the LORD. 17So now, kill all the boys, as well as every woman who has had relations with a man, 18but spare for yourselves every girl who has never had relations with a man.

19All of you who have killed a person or touched the dead are to remain outside the camp for seven days. On the third day and the seventh day you are to purify both yourselves and your captives. 20And purify every garment and leather good, everything made of goat’s hair, and every article of wood.”

21Then Eleazar the priest said to the soldiers who had gone into battle, “This is the statute of the law which the LORD has commanded Moses: 22Only the gold, silver, bronze, iron, tin, and lead— 23everything that can withstand the fire—must be put through the fire, and it will be clean. But it must still be purified with the water of purification. And everything that cannot withstand the fire must pass through the water. 24On the seventh day you are to wash your clothes, and you will be clean. After that you may enter the camp.”

Division of the Spoils

25The LORD said to Moses, 26“You and Eleazar the priest and the family heads of the congregation are to take a count of what was captured, both of man and beast. 27Then divide the captives between the troops who went out to battle and the rest of the congregation.

28Set aside a tribute for the LORD from what belongs to the soldiers who went into battle: one out of every five hundred, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, or sheep. 29Take it from their half and give it to Eleazar the priest as an offering to the LORD.

30From the Israelites’ half, take one out of every fifty, whether persons, cattle, donkeys, sheep, or other animals, and give them to the Levites who keep charge of the tabernacle of the LORD.”

31So Moses and Eleazar the priest did as the LORD had commanded Moses, 32and this plunder remained from the spoils the soldiers had taken:

675,000 sheep,

3372,000 cattle,

3461,000 donkeys,

35and 32,000 women who had not slept with a man.

36This was the half portion for those who had gone to war:

337,500 sheep, 37including a tribute to the LORD of 675,

3836,000 cattle, including a tribute to the LORD of 72,

3930,500 donkeys, including a tribute to the LORD of 61,

40and 16,000 people, including a tribute to the LORD of 32.

41Moses gave the tribute to Eleazar the priest as an offering for the LORD, as the LORD had commanded Moses.

42From the Israelites’ half, which Moses had set apart from the men who had gone to war, 43this half belonged to the congregation:

337,500 sheep,

4436,000 cattle,

4530,500 donkeys,

46and 16,000 people.

47From the Israelites’ half, Moses took one out of every fifty persons and animals and gave them to the Levites who kept charge of the tabernacle of the LORD, as the LORD had commanded him.

The Voluntary Offering

48Then the officers who were over the units of the army—the commanders of thousands and of hundreds—approached Moses 49and said, “Your servants have counted the soldiers under our command, and not one of us is missing. 50So we have brought to the LORD an offering of the gold articles each man acquired—armlets, bracelets, rings, earrings, and necklaces—to make atonement for ourselves before the LORD.”

51So Moses and Eleazar the priest received from them all the articles made out of gold. 52All the gold that the commanders of thousands and of hundreds presented as an offering to the LORD weighed 16,750 shekels.a 53Each of the soldiers had taken plunder for himself. 54And Moses and Eleazar the priest received the gold from the commanders of thousands and of hundreds and brought it into the Tent of Meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD.

The Tribes East of the Jordan
(Deuteronomy 3:12–22; Joshua 13:8–14)

1Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock. 2So the Gadites and Reubenites came to Moses, Eleazar the priest, and the leaders of the congregation, and said, 3“Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam,a Nebo, and Beon, 4which the LORD conquered before the congregation of Israel, are suitable for livestock—and your servants have livestock.”

5“If we have found favor in your sight,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.”

6But Moses asked the Gadites and Reubenites, “Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here? 7Why are you discouraging the Israelites from crossing into the land that the LORD has given them? 8This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh-barnea to inspect the land.

9For when your fathers went up to the Valley of Eshcol and saw the land, they discouraged the Israelites from entering the land that the LORD had given them. 10So the anger of the LORD was kindled that day, and He swore an oath, saying, 11‘Because they did not follow Me wholeheartedly, not one of the men twenty years of age or older who came out of Egypt will see the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob— 12not one except Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite and Joshua son of Nun—because they did follow the LORD wholeheartedly.’ 13The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until the whole generation who had done evil in His sight was gone.

14Now behold, you, a brood of sinners, have risen up in place of your fathers to further stoke the burning anger of the LORD against Israel. 15For if you turn away from following Him, He will once again leave this people in the wilderness, and you will be the cause of their destruction.”

16Then the Gadites and Reubenites approached Moses and said, “We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our little ones. 17But we will arm ourselves and be readyb to go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them into their place. Meanwhile, our little ones will remain in the fortified cities for protection from the inhabitants of the land. 18We will not return to our homes until every Israelite has taken possession of his inheritance. 19Yet we will not have an inheritance with them across the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on the east side of the Jordan.”

20Moses replied, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle, 21and if every one of your armed men crosses the Jordan before the LORD, until He has driven His enemies out before Him, 22then when the land is subdued before the LORD, you may return and be free of obligation to the LORD and to Israel. And this land will belong to you as a possession before the LORD. 23But if you do not do this, you will certainly sin against the LORD—and be assured that your sin will find you out. 24Build cities for your little ones and folds for your flocks, but do what you have promised.”

25The Gadites and Reubenites said to Moses, “Your servants will do just as our lord commands. 26Our children, our wives, our livestock, and all our animals will remain here in the cities of Gilead. 27But your servants are equipped for war, and every man will cross over to the battle before the LORD, just as our lord says.”

28So Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest, to Joshua son of Nun, and to the family leaders of the tribes of Israel. 29And Moses said to them, “If the Gadites and Reubenites cross the Jordan with you, with every man armed for battle before the LORD, and the land is subdued before you, then you are to give them the land of Gilead as a possession. 30But if they do not arm themselves and go across with you, then they must accept their possession among you in the land of Canaan.”

31The Gadites and Reubenites replied, “As the LORD has spoken to your servants, so we will do. 32We will cross over into the land of Canaan armed before the LORD, that we may have our inheritance on this side of the Jordan.”

33So Moses gave to the Gadites, to the Reubenites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan—the land including its cities and the territory surrounding them.

34And the Gadites built up Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, 35Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, 36Beth-nimrah, and Beth-haran as fortified cities, and they built folds for their flocks.

37The Reubenites built up Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, 38as well as Nebo and Baal-meon (whose names were changed), and Sibmah. And they renamed the cities they rebuilt.

39The descendants of Machir son of Manasseh went to Gilead, captured it, and drove out the Amorites who were there. 40So Moses gave Gilead to the clan of Machir son of Manasseh, and they settled there. 41Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, went and captured their villages and called them Havvoth-jair.c 42And Nobah went and captured Kenath and its villages and called it Nobah, after his own name.

Forty-Two Journeys of the Israelites

1These are the journeys of the Israelites when they came out of the land of Egypt by their divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. 2At the LORD’s command, Moses recorded the stages of their journey. These are the stages listed by their starting points:

3On the fifteenth day of the first month, on the day after the Passover, the Israelites set out from Rameses. They marched out defiantlya in full view of all the Egyptians, 4who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had executed judgment against their gods. 5The Israelites set out from Rameses and camped at Succoth.

6They set out from Succoth and camped at Etham, on the edge of the wilderness.

7They set out from Etham and turned back to Pi-hahiroth, opposite Baal-zephon, and they camped near Migdol.

8They set out from Pi-hahirothb and crossed through the sea, into the wilderness, and they journeyed three days into the Wilderness of Etham and camped at Marah.

9They set out from Marah and came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees, and they camped there.

10They set out from Elim and camped by the Red Sea.c

11They set out from the Red Sea and camped in the Desert of Sin.d

12They set out from the Desert of Sin and camped at Dophkah.

13They set out from Dophkah and camped at Alush.

14They set out from Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.

15They set out from Rephidim and camped in the Wilderness of Sinai.

16They set out from the Wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth-hattaavah.

17They set out from Kibroth-hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth.

18They set out from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah.

19They set out from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon-perez.

20They set out from Rimmon-perez and camped at Libnah.

21They set out from Libnah and camped at Rissah.

22They set out from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah.

23They set out from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher.

24They set out from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah.

25They set out from Haradah and camped at Makheloth.

26They set out from Makheloth and camped at Tahath.

27They set out from Tahath and camped at Terah.

28They set out from Terah and camped at Mithkah.

29They set out from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah.

30They set out from Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth.

31They set out from Moseroth and camped at Bene-jaakan.

32They set out from Bene-jaakan and camped at Hor-haggidgad.

33They set out from Hor-haggidgad and camped at Jotbathah.

34They set out from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah.

35They set out from Abronah and camped at Ezion-geber.

36They set out from Ezion-geber and camped at Kadesh in the Wilderness of Zin.

37They set out from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, on the outskirts of the land of Edom. 38At the LORD’s command, Aaron the priest climbed Mount Hor and died there on the first day of the fifth month, in the fortieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt. 39Aaron was 123 years old when he died on Mount Hor.

40Now the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev in the land of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming. 41And the Israelites set out from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.

42They set out from Zalmonah and camped at Punon.

43They set out from Punon and camped at Oboth.

44They set out from Oboth and camped at Iye-abarim on the border of Moab.

45They set out from Iyime and camped at Dibon-gad.

46They set out from Dibon-gad and camped at Almon-diblathaim.

47They set out from Almon-diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarimf facing Nebo.

48They set out from the mountains of Abarim and camped on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.

49And there on the plains of Moab they camped by the Jordan, from Beth-jeshimoth to Abel-shittim.g

Instructions for Occupying Canaan

50On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, the LORD said to Moses, 51“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 52you must drive out before you all the inhabitants of the land, destroy all their carved images and cast idols, and demolish all their high places.

53You are to take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. 54And you are to divide the land by lot according to your clans. Give a larger inheritance to a larger clan and a smaller inheritance to a smaller one. Whatever falls to each one by lot will be his. You will receive an inheritance according to the tribes of your fathers.

55But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land before you, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides; they will harass you in the land where you settle. 56And then I will do to you what I had planned to do to them.”

The Boundaries of Canaan
(Genesis 15:8–21)

1Then the LORD said to Moses, 2“Command the Israelites and say to them: When you enter the land of Canaan, it will be allotted to you as an inheritance with these boundaries:

3Your southern border will extend from the Wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. On the east, your southern border will run from the end of the Salt Sea,a 4cross south of the Ascent of Akrabbim,b continue to Zin, and go south of Kadesh-barnea. Then it will go on to Hazar-addar and proceed to Azmon, 5where it will turn from Azmon, join the Brook of Egypt, and end at the Sea.c

6Your western border will be the coastline of the Great Sea; this will be your boundary on the west.

7Your northern border will run from the Great Sea directly to Mount Hor, 8and from Mount Hor to Lebo-hamath, then extend to Zedad, 9continue to Ziphron, and end at Hazar-enan. This will be your boundary on the north.

10And your eastern border will run straight from Hazar-enan to Shepham, 11then go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain and continue along the slopes east of the Sea of Chinnereth.d 12Then the border will go down along the Jordan and end at the Salt Sea.

This will be your land, defined by its borders on all sides.”

13So Moses commanded the Israelites, “Apportion this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has commanded that it be given to the nine and a half tribes. 14For the tribes of the Reubenites and Gadites, along with the half-tribe of Manasseh, have already received their inheritance. 15These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”

Leaders to Divide the Land

16Then the LORD said to Moses, 17“These are the names of the men who are to assign the land as an inheritance for you: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun. 18Appoint one leader from each tribe to distribute the land. 19These are their names:

Caleb son of Jephunneh from the tribe of Judah;

20Shemuel son of Ammihud from the tribe of Simeon;

21Elidad son of Chislon from the tribe of Benjamin;

22Bukki son of Jogli, a leader from the tribe of Dan;

23Hanniel son of Ephod, a leader from the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph;

24Kemuel son of Shiphtan, a leader from the tribe of Ephraim;

25Eli-zaphan son of Parnach, a leader from the tribe of Zebulun;

26Paltiel son of Azzan, a leader from the tribe of Issachar;

27Ahihud son of Shelomi, a leader from the tribe of Asher;

28and Pedahel son of Ammihud, a leader from the tribe of Naphtali.”

29These are the ones whom the LORD commanded to apportion the inheritance to the Israelites in the land of Canaan.

Forty-Eight Cities for the Levites
(Joshua 21:1–45; 1 Chronicles 6:54–81)

1Again the LORD spoke to Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho: 2“Command the Israelites to give, from the inheritance they will possess, cities for the Levites to live in and pasturelands around the cities. 3The cities will be for them to live in, and the pasturelands will be for their herds, their flocks, and all their other livestock.

4The pasturelands around the cities you are to give the Levites will extend a thousand cubitsa from the wall on every side. 5You are also to measure two thousand cubitsb outside the city on the east, two thousand on the south, two thousand on the west, and two thousand on the north, with the city in the center. These areas will serve as larger pasturelands for the cities.

6Six of the cities you give the Levites are to be appointed as cities of refuge, to which a manslayer may flee. In addition to these, give the Levites forty-two other cities. 7The total number of cities you give the Levites will be forty-eight, with their corresponding pasturelands. 8The cities that you apportion from the territory of the Israelites should be given to the Levites in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: more from a larger tribe and less from a smaller one.”

Six Cities of Refuge
(Deuteronomy 4:41–43; Deuteronomy 19:1–14; Joshua 20:1–9)

9Then the LORD said to Moses, 10“Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11designate cities to serve as your cities of refuge, so that a person who kills someone unintentionally may flee there. 12You are to have these cities as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands trial before the assembly.

13The cities you select will be your six cities of refuge. 14Select three cities across the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan as cities of refuge. 15These six cities will serve as a refuge for the Israelites and for the foreigner or stranger among them, so that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there.

16If, however, anyone strikes a person with an iron object and kills him, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. 17Or if anyone has in his hand a stone of deadly size, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death. 18If anyone has in his hand a deadly object of wood, and he strikes and kills another, he is a murderer; the murderer must surely be put to death.

19The avenger of blood is to put the murderer to death; when he finds him, he is to kill him.

20Likewise, if anyone maliciously pushes another or intentionally throws an object at him and kills him, 21or if in hostility he strikes him with his hand and he dies, the one who struck him must surely be put to death; he is a murderer. When the avenger of blood finds the murderer, he is to kill him.

22But if anyone pushes a person suddenly, without hostility, or throws an object at him unintentionally, 23or without looking drops a heavy stone that kills him, but he was not an enemy and did not intend to harm him, 24then the congregation must judge between the slayer and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. 25The assembly is to protect the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood. Then the assembly will return him to the city of refuge to which he fled, and he must live there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.

26But if the manslayer ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which he fled 27and the avenger of blood finds him outside of his city of refuge and kills him, then the avenger will not be guilty of bloodshed 28because the manslayer must remain in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest may he return to the land he owns. 29This will be a statutory ordinance for you for the generations to come, wherever you live.

30If anyone kills a person, the murderer is to be put to death on the testimony of the witnesses. But no one is to be put to death based on the testimony of a lone witness.

31You are not to accept a ransom for the life of a murderer who deserves to die; he must surely be put to death. 32Nor should you accept a ransom for the person who flees to a city of refuge and allow him to return and live on his own land before the death of the high priest.

33Do not pollute the land where you live, for bloodshed pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land on which the blood is shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. 34Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell. For I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.”

Zelophehad’s Daughters Marry
(Numbers 27:1–11)

1Now the family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, one of the clans of Joseph, approached Moses and the leaders who were the heads of the Israelite families and addressed them, 2saying, “When the LORD commanded my lord to give the land as an inheritance to the Israelites by lot, He also commanded him to give the inheritance of our brother Zelophehad to his daughters. 3But if they marry any of the men from the other tribes of Israel, their inheritance will be withdrawn from the portion of our fathers and added to the tribe into which they marry. So our allotted inheritance would be taken away. 4And when the Jubilee for the Israelites comes, their inheritance will be added to the tribe into which they marry and taken away from the tribe of our fathers.”

5So at the word of the LORD, Moses commanded the Israelites: “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speaks correctly. 6This is what the LORD has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: They may marry anyone they please, provided they marry within a clan of the tribe of their father. 7No inheritance in Israel may be transferred from tribe to tribe, because each of the Israelites is to retain the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 8Every daughter who possesses an inheritance from any Israelite tribe must marry within a clan of the tribe of her father, so that every Israelite will possess the inheritance of his fathers. 9No inheritance may be transferred from one tribe to another, for each tribe of Israel must retain its inheritance.”

10So the daughters of Zelophehad did as the LORD had commanded Moses. 11Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to cousins on their father’s side. 12They married within the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained within the tribe of their father’s clan.

13These are the commandments and ordinances that the LORD gave the Israelites through Moses on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho.