Bamidbar

Bamidbar, meaning "In the wilderness" in Hebrew, is the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament's Pentateuch. It continues the Exodus narrative, detailing the Israelites’ decades-long journey from Sinai toward the borders of Canaan and setting the stage for entry into the Promised Land. The Hebrew title reflects the book’s setting in the wilderness during these travels.

The book centers on the organization and experiences of the wilderness generation. It begins with two census counts of the Israelite men of military age, the arrangement of the camp by tribe, and the responsibilities assigned to the Levites. It also contains legal material on ritual purity, the Nazirite vow, the priesthood, and offerings. Bamidbar recounts a series of dramatic episodes and turning points: the scouting mission to Canaan and the people’s fearful report; Korah’s rebellion against Moses and Aaron; the episodes of disbelief and punishment in the wilderness; Moses striking the rock to bring forth water; the bronze serpent and its later removal; Balaam’s oracles and interactions with Balak; and the defeat of Midian. The narrative also describes the movement of the tribes, a second census of the new generation, and arrangements for inheritance, including the request by Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh to settle east of the Jordan. The book concludes with preparations to enter Canaan and Moses’ final exhortations to the coming generation, linking Bamidbar to the events of Deuteronomy.

Authorship and place in the canon: tradition attributes the work to Moses, as part of the Torah, though modern scholarship often treats Bamidbar as a composite work drawn from multiple sources and later redaction.