Numbers study section
Numbers maps & timelines
Numbers moves from Sinai to Kadesh, through the years of wandering, to the plains of Moab. These places and dates anchor the journey in real geography and history.
Geographic context
Key Locations in Numbers:
- Mount Sinai (Wilderness of Sinai) - Where Israel is numbered and organized before setting out
- Kibroth-hattaavah and Hazeroth - Wilderness stops marked by craving, plague, and Miriam’s rebellion
- Kadesh-barnea - On the southern border of Canaan, where the spies are sent and Israel refuses to enter
- The Wilderness of Paran and Zin - The regions of the forty years of wandering
- Mount Hor - Where Aaron dies and is succeeded by Eleazar
- The Territory of Sihon and Og - The Amorite kingdoms east of the Jordan, conquered by Israel
- The Plains of Moab - Across the Jordan from Jericho, where the new generation encamps and the book ends
The route through the wilderness
Numbers moves from Sinai to the border of the land at Kadesh, into decades of wandering after the great refusal, and finally to the plains of Moab where a new generation prepares to cross. The stages below trace that route.
Mount Sinai
Where Israel is numbered and set in order before the march begins.
Kibroth-hattaavah
The graves of craving, where the people lusted for meat and a plague fell.
Hazeroth
Where Miriam and Aaron opposed Moses and Miriam was struck with leprosy.
Kadesh-barnea
On the border of Canaan, where the spies returned and Israel refused to enter.
The wilderness of wandering
Nearly forty silent years while the unbelieving generation died.
Mount Hor
Where Aaron died and Eleazar took up the high priesthood.
The plains of Moab
Across the Jordan from Jericho, where the new generation encamped and the book ends.
Timeline of major events
| Event | Approximate Date | Numbers Reference |
|---|---|---|
| The first census at Sinai | c. 1445 BC (2nd month, 2nd year) | 1:1-46 |
| Israel sets out from Sinai | c. 1445 BC | 10:11-13 |
| Complaining, quail, and the seventy elders | c. 1445 BC | 11:1-35 |
| The twelve spies sent from Kadesh | c. 1444 BC | 13:1-25 |
| The refusal to enter and the forty-year sentence | c. 1444 BC | 14:1-45 |
| The rebellion of Korah | c. 1444 BC | 16:1-50 |
| The wilderness wandering (largely unrecorded) | c. 1444-1407 BC | (the silent years) |
| Miriam dies; Moses strikes the rock | c. 1406 BC (40th year) | 20:1-13 |
| Aaron dies at Mount Hor | c. 1406 BC | 20:22-29 |
| The bronze serpent; victories over Sihon and Og | c. 1406 BC | 21:4-35 |
| Balak and Balaam | c. 1406 BC | 22:1-24:25 |
| The sin at Peor and Phinehas’ zeal | c. 1406 BC | 25:1-18 |
| The second census on the plains of Moab | c. 1406 BC | 26:1-65 |
| Joshua commissioned; the land apportioned | c. 1406 BC | 27:12-23; 34:1-29 |
My notes
Private unless you specifically share them with another.