Numbers

36 chapters

Chapter summaries

The Douay-Rheims’ own argument for each chapter. Tap a number above to read.

1. 1All the men of twelve tribes of Israel, of the age of twenty years and upwards (but not under, nor women) are numbered: 20. and are found in six hundred thirty thousand and five hundred fifty. 47. The Levites are not yet numbered, are designed to serve about the Tabernacle.
2. 2At the east side of the Tabernacle the tribe of Juda is chief, with Issachar and Zabulon do pitch their tents, and march first: 10. on the south Ruben, with Simeon and Gad (17. the Tabernacle is carried, and pitched by the Levites who lodge and march round about it) 18. on the west side, Ephraim with Manasses and Benjamin: 25. on the north, Dan with Aser and Nephtali.
3. 3The Levites are assumed to the service of the Tabernacle, 14. numbered by their several families, and their offices distinguished, 45. They are taken to God in place of the first born of the children of Israel. The residue of the first born, above the number of Levites, are redeemed with price.
4. 4Distinct offices are assigned to the families of Aaron, 15. of the elder sons of Caath, 21. of Gerson, 29. and of Merari. 34. Who are all numbered from the age of thirty years to fifty, and so employed to their offices and burdens.
5. 5Lepers and all polluted persons must be cast out of the camp. 5. Confession of sin, and satisfaction for trespass. 9. First fruits and oblations pertain to the Priests. 11. The law of jealousy.
6. 6Consecration, 14. and oblation of Nazarites. 22. A set form how the Priest shall bless the people.
7. 7In dedication of the Tabernacle, the princes of the twelve tribes offer jointly six wains, and twelve oxen. 11. Then every prince several days make other oblations. 89. And God speaketh to Moyses from the Propitiatory.
8. 8Seven lamps are so placed on the golden candlestick, that they may shine towards the breads of proposition. 5. The ordination of the Levites. 24. And at what age they shall serve in the tabernacle.
9. 9The precept of Pasch to be made the fourteenth day of the first moon, is renewed. 6. But the unclean, and travellers in a journey the fourteenth day of the second month. 15. The camp must rest or march, as the cloud or pillar of fire, remaineth over the tabernacle, or departeth.
10. 10Trumpets are sounded by the priests, diversly for diverse purposes. 11. The camp marcheth from the desert of Sinai. 29. Moyses entreateth Hobab the Madianite to remain with them. 35. His prayer when the ark is taken up, and set down.
11. 11The people murmuring are punished with fire. 7. Manna is again described. 10. Moyses being afflicted with solicitude of troublesome people, 16. God adjoineth seventy Ancients to sustain part of his burden. 18. promiseth to give all the people flesh. 25. The ancients do prophesy. 31. The people have their fill of flesh. 33. but forthwith many die of the plague. Whereof the place is called, the sepulchres of concupiscence.
12. 12Mary and Aaron murmur against Moyses. 6. Whom God praiseth above other prophets. 10. Mary being stricken with leprosy, Aaron confessing his fault, 13. Moyses prayeth for her, and after seven days separation from the camp she is restored.
13. 13From the desert of Pharan Moyses sendeth twelve men (of every tribe one) to view the Land of Chanaan. 17. changeth Osee his name into Josue. 18. instructeth them which way to go, and what to note in the land: 21. which they perform: 26. and after forty days return, bringing with them fruits, in token of the land's fertility. 29. but in other respects (the rest besides Caleb and Josue) discouraging the people make them to murmur.
14. 14The mutinous murmuring people being implacable, 11. God expostulateth their ingratitude, threatneth to destroy them. 13. Yet Moyses pacifieth his wrath, 22. but so that all which were numbered coming from Egypt, except Caleb and Josue, shall die in the wilderness 32. and their children shall possess the promised land. 40. Then fighting contrary to Moyses' admonition are beaten, and many slain by their enemies.
15. 15Certain precepts concerning Sacrifices, 17. and first-fruits, are repeated, 22. also touching different punishment of sin committed by ignorance and by set wilfulness. 32. and accordingly one is stoned to death, for gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 37. All are commanded to carry a sign in their garments, thereby to remember the commandments of God.
16. 16Core and his complices, making schism against Moyses and Aaron, 31. some are swallowed in the earth, with their families and substance, 35. other two hundred and fifty offering incense, 41. and fourteen thousand seven hundred of the common people, murmuring in behalf of the seditious, are consumed with fire from heaven.
17. 17Moyses taking of the princes of twelve tribes twelve rods, and one of Aaron for the tribe of Levi, layeth them all in the tabernacle all night, 8. where Aaron's rod (and none of the rest) buddeth, bloometh, and bringeth forth fruit, 9. And all being showed to the people, Aaron's is carried back, and kept for a monument in the tabernacle.
18. 18The charge and burden of Priests within the tabernacle, and of Levites about the same. 8. First fruits, and oblations are due to the Priests, 21. the tithes to the Levites, 26. who of the same pay tithes to the Priests.
19. 19A red cow is offered in burnt victim for sin: 9. whose ashes are mingled in water, for expiation of divers legal uncleannesses, 11. as by touching the dead, 14. by entering into the tent of the dead, also the vessel that is therein, and the vessel that lacketh a cover, 22. and whatsoever the unclean toucheth.
20. 20Mary the sister of Moyses dieth. 2. The people murmur for lack of water, 7. Moyses and Aaron being commanded to draw some out of a rock, do it doubtfully: 12. and for the same are foretold that they shall die in the desert. 14. Not obtaining licence to pass through Edom, 22. they come into Mount Hor, where Eleazar is ordained high Priest, Aaron dieth, and is mourned by the people thirty days.
21. 21Israelites at the first encounter with the Chananeites having the worse, after their vow kill the King of Arad, and destroy his cities. 4. The people again murmuring are striken with fire serpents, 7. but confessing their fault, Moyses by God's commandment setteth up a brasen serpent for a remedy. 10. They march through divers places. 17. and sing a Canticle at a well which God gave them. 21. They kill Sehon King of the Amorrheites, and conquer his land. 33. Likewise Og King of Basan.
22. 22Balac King of Moab fearing the Israelites, sendeth for Balaam a Soothsayer to curse them. 8. Who consulting his false god, is forbid by God almighty to go, and is excused himself. 15. Balac sendeth again offering greater reward, 19. he again consulteth, and God bidth him go. 22. but sendeth an Angel to meet him in the way, whom his asse seeing, shunneth three times, and so often he beateth her, 28. then she speaketh, expostulating his hard usage. 31. he also seeth the Angel. 35. and is charged to speak nothing but that the Angel shall suggest.
23. 23Balaac endeavoureth to curse Israel, but God forceth him to bless them. 11. Again he urgeth him to curse them, but he still prophesieth good things of them. 26. Yet Balac insisteth willing him to curse, or not to bless them.
24. 24Balaam forced by the evidence of truth (though not converted in will to serve God, whom he confesseth to be omnipotent) prophesieth still more good of Israel: 10. wherefore Balac interrupteth him, and he answereth plainly that God almighty will have it so. 15. And so proceeding he prophesieth of CHRIST. 20. Also of Amalecites, Cineites, and Italians.
25. 25By carnal fornication many are drawn to spiritual. For which twenty four thousand are slain. 10. Phinees his Zeal in stabbing to death two fornicators, is commended by God, and rewarded.
26. 26All the men of twelve tribes being again numbered, from the age of twenty years and upward, are found to be six hundred one thousand seven hundred and thirty. 57. Of the tribe of Levi also, numbered of the male sex from the age of one month and upward, are found twenty three thousand. 64. all being dead in the desert, which were numbered before, except Caleb and Josue.
27. 27Salphaad's daughters succeed to their father's inheritance. 8. and the law is established that for lack of sons daughters shall inherit, and for lack also of daughters the next of kin. 12. God commandeth Moyses to ascend into Mount Abarim, and thence view the promised Land, but foretelleth him that he shall die, and not go into it. 15. He then prayeth God to provide another to lead the people, 18. and Josue is designed in presence of Eleazar and the people.
28. 28Special sacrifices are appointed for every day in the morning and evening. 9. Likewise for every Sabbath day, 11. for the first day of every month, 16. for Pasch, 26. and for Pentecost.
29. 29In the seventh month are celebrated with particular sacrifices the feasts of Trumpets, 7. of Expiation, 12. of Tabernacles, 35. and of Assembly and Collection.
30. 30Voluntary vows or oaths of men; 14. of maids in their fathers' houses, 7. or newly married; 10. of widows, or wives divorced; 11. and of wives in their husbands' houses: and how they bind, or are made frustrate.
31. 31The Madianites are slain in battle, for that they had drawn the people of Israel to sin. 11. The prey is brought to Moyses, 14. Who being angry that the women (which were the occasion of sin) are saved alive, commandeth to kill all the male children, and all the women saving only virgins. 19. The soldiers are purified, as also the prey, 26. and then divided among the victors, and other people, taking out portions for the Levites. 48. The princes of the host give free offerings to our Lord.
32. 32The children of Ruben and Gad, demanding to have inheritance on that side Jordan, where they yet are, 7. Moyses justly rebuketh them; 16. yet upon condition that they will march first over Jordan, and remain the first till the land be subdued to the children of Israel, 28. he granteth to them, and the half tribe of Manasses, that which they require.
33. 33The 42 mansions of the children of Israel from their going out of Egypt unto the Land of promise are recited. 50. they are commanded to kill all the inhabitants, to purge the land of idolatry, and divide it among them.
34. 34The situation and limits of Chanaan, towards the South, the West, the North, and the East. 13. Which must be divided by lot among nine tribes and a half (the other two and a half having their parts over Jordan) 16. with the names of the persons that shall make the division.
35. 35Cities and suburbs are appointed for the Levites, among the other tribes. 6. Of which six shall be for refuge of such as unwittingly kill any man, 22. where, keeping themselves till the death of the high Priest, they shall be safe. 30. Wilful murderers convicted (so it be by more than one witness) must die forthwith.
36. 36That the inheritances may not be alienated from one tribe to another, all must marry within their own tribes.