Chapter 1
1 On the first day of the second month, two years after their
departure from the land of Egypt, Jehovah
spoke to Moses inside the Tent of Proofs [while they
were still] in the desert at Sinai, and He said, 2 ‘Take a census of the entire
gathering of Israel by families and lines of descent.
[Record] their names, and of [how many] males there are 3 who are
twenty years old and older… all that serve as the army of
5 ‘These are the names of the men
who should help you:
For the tribe of Reuben, EliSur the son of SediUr.
6 For the [tribe of] Symeon, SalamiEl the son of SuriSadai.
7 [For the tribe] of Judah, NaAsson the son of AmiNadab.
8 [For the tribe] of IsSachar, NathanaEl the son of Sogar.
9 [For the tribe] of ZebuLun, EliAb the son of Chaelon.
10 For the tribes] of Joseph, EliSama the son of EmiUd for Ephraim, and
GamaliEl the son of PhadaSur for Manasseh.
11 [For the tribe] of BenJamin, AbiDan the son of GadeOni.
12 [For the tribe] of Dan, AchiEzer the son of AmiSadai.
13 [For the tribe] of Asher, PhagaiEl the son of Echran.
14 [For the tribe] of Gad, EliSaph the son of RaguEl.
15 [For the tribe] of Naphtali, AchiRe the son of AiNan.’
16 These were the most famous men among the gathering. They
were the heads of the tribes by their families, and the leaders of the
thousands in
17 So, Moses and Aaron gathered these men who were called by name. 18 Then they assembled the entire gathering that day, and registered the [men] by tribes and family lines, recording the names and numbers of all who were twenty [years old] and older, 19 as Jehovah had commanded Moses there in the desert of Sinai.
20 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons
of Reuben (the first-born of
22 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons
of Symeon, the number of males twenty years old and up who were counted as the
strength of
24 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons
of
26 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons
of IsSachar, the number of males twenty years old and up who were counted as the
strength of
28 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons
of ZebuLun, the number of males twenty years old and up who were counted as the
strength of
30 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons of Joseph, the number of males twenty years old and up who were counted as the strength of Israel, 31 was forty-thousand five hundred from the tribe of Ephraim, 32 and for Manasseh, 33 it was thirty-two thousand, two hundred.
34 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons
of BenJamin, the number of males twenty years old and up who were counted as the
strength of
36 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons
of Gad, the number of males twenty years old and up who were counted as the
strength of
38 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons
of Dan, the number of males twenty years old and up who were counted as the
strength of
40 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons
of Asher, the number of males twenty years old and up who were counted as the
strength of
42 Among the families, divisions, and households of the sons
of Naphtali, the number of males twenty years old and up who were counted as the
strength of
44 This was the census that Moses, Aaron, and the twelve
rulers of
52 ‘The [rest of] the children of
54 And the children of
Chapter 2
1 Then Jehovah spoke
to Moses and Aaron and said, 2 ‘Have the children of
3 ‘The first in the camp, starting
on the east side, shall be the [Tribe] of
5 ‘The Tribe of IsSachar, whose leader is NathanEl the son of Zuar, should camp next to them. 6 There are fifty-four thousand, four hundred in his army.
7 ‘The tribe of ZebuLun, whose leader is EliAb the son of Helon, should camp next to them. 8 There are fifty-seven thousand, four hundred in his army.
9 ‘All together, there are one hundred and eighty-six
thousand, four hundred under the army of
10 ‘This is the order for the camp of Reuben, whose army [will camp] toward the south: The leader of the children of Reuben is EliZur the son of ShedeUr, 11 and there are forty-six thousand, five hundred in his army.
12 ‘The Tribe of Simeon, whose leader is ShelumiEl the son of ZuriShadDai, should camp next to them. 13 There are fifty-nine thousand, three hundred in his army.
14 ‘The tribe of Gad, whose leader is EliAsaph the son of DeuEl, will camp next to them, 15 and there are forty-five thousand, six hundred and fifty in his army.
16 ‘All together, there are a hundred and fifty-one thousand, four hundred and fifty under the army of Reuben. They and their armies will follow second.
17 ‘Then following them should be the Tent of Proofs, surrounded by the Levites who will travel between the armies. In whatever order they camp, that’s the order that they should follow in their march – each group following in the order of their divisions.
18 ‘The Tribe of Ephraim and their armies must camp on the west side. Their leader is EliShama the son of AmmiHud, 19 and there are forty thousand, five hundred in his army.
20 ‘The tribe of Manasseh should camp next to them. Their leader is GamaliEl the son of PedahZur, 21 and there are thirty-two thousand, two hundred in his army.
22 ‘The tribe of BenJamin should camp next to them. Their leader is AbiDan the son of Gideoni, 23 and there are thirty-five thousand, four hundred in his army.
24 ‘All together, there are one hundred eight thousand, one hundred in the army of Ephraim. They and their armies should follow third.
25 ‘The Tribe of Dan and their armies should camp on the north side. Their leader is AhiEzer the son of AmmiShadDai, 26 and there are sixty-two thousand, seven hundred in his army.
27 ‘The tribe of Asher should camp next to them. Their leader is PagiEl the son of Ocran, 28 and there are forty-one thousand, five hundred in his army.
29 ‘The tribe of Naphtali should camp next to them. Their leader is AhiRa the son of Enan, 30 and there are fifty-three thousand four hundred in his army.
31 ‘All together, there are a hundred and fifty-seven thousand, six hundred in the armies of Dan, and they must be last in the marching order.’
32 This is how the children of
34 And the children of
Chapter 3
1 These are the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day
in that Jehovah spoke to Moses on
2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab was the
firstborn, and then there were AbiUd,
EliEzer, and
IthaMar. 3 They were the anointed Priests who were made perfect for the Priesthood. 4
However, Nadab and AbiUd died before Jehovah when they offered [incense] to Him
in an unauthorized way, while they were in the
5 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and told him: 6 ‘Bring the
tribe of Levi up in front of Aaron the Priest, for they are to all serve
him. 7 They must follow his instructions and then give the instructions to of
the children of
10 ‘Appoint Aaron and his sons to be in charge of the Tent of Proofs. Then they must give instructions concerning the Priesthood, everything that belongs to the Altar, and everything inside the veil. And anyone else who touches these things must die.’
11 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 12 ‘Look, I have
chosen the Levites from among the children of
14 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses in the
16 So, Moses and Aaron counted them following Jehovah’s instructions.
17 The sons of Levi were Gedson, CaAth, and Merari. 18 Gedson’s
sons (and family lines) were Lobeni and Semei. 19 CaAth’s sons (and family
lines) were AmRam, IsSaAr,
21 The Gedson family lines were those of Lobeni and Semei. 22 And the number of males [in that line], which were a month old and older, was seven-thousand five hundred. 23 The sons of Gedson were to camp behind the Tent on its west side. 24 The ruler of the family of Gedson was EliSaph, the son of DaEl. 25 The instructions that were given to the sons of Gedson concerning the Tent of Proofs, was to care for the tent itself, the veil that covers the entrance to the Tent of Proofs, 26 the curtains for the courtyard, the veil to the courtyard (which is around the Tent), and the like.
27 There were [four] divisions that were counted [in the
family line] of CaAth. They were AmRam, IsSaAr,
32 The head over the chiefs of the Levites was EliEzer, the son of Aaron the Priest. He was appointed to give all instructions regarding the holy things.
33 The family lines of Merari were those of MoOli and Musi. 34 All the males a month old and older among this line were counted at six-thousand fifty. 35 The head of the family line and divisions of Merari was SuriEl, the son of AbiChail. They were to camp next to the Tent, along its north side. 36 The sons of Merari were told that they were to be in charge of the Tent’s caps, rafters, posts, sockets, all their fittings and pieces, 37 as well as the posts for the courtyard, and their bases, pins, and ropes.
38 Moses, Aaron, and his sons were to camp in front of the
Tent of Proofs on its east side. They were to take care of the
39 All the Levites who Moses and Aaron counted that were a month old and older (by family lines), following Jehovah’s instructions, were twenty-two thousand.
40 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, ‘Now count all the
firstborn males among the children of
42 So, Moses counted all the firstborn of the children of
44 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 45 ‘Now take the Levites in place of all the first-born of the
sons of Israel, and the Levite’s cattle in place of their cattle, and they
must be Mine, for I am Jehovah. 46 And the ransom
[that must be paid] for all the firstborn of the sons of
49 So, Moses took the silver as the ransom for those that
exceeded the number who were bought by the Levites. 50 The amount of holy
silver coins that he took from the firstborn of the sons of
Chapter 4
1 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron and said, 2 ‘Take a census of the children of CaAth (separate from the sons of Levi) by family lines. 3 Count those from twenty-five to fifty years old who work and serve in the Tent of Proofs. 4 For these are the very holy things that the sons of CaAth must do at the Tent of Proofs: 5 Whenever the camp is about to move, Aaron and his sons must enter and take down the [inner] veil, and use it to cover the Chest of Proofs. 6 Then they must cover it with a blue skin and put a blue [cloth] over that. Then they must put the staves through [the rings on the Chest].
7 ‘They must also put a purple cloth over the table that holds the showbread, along with its dishes, censers, cups, pitchers for drink offerings, and the loaves (which must always be left on the table). 8 Then they must cover it with a scarlet cloth, and cover that with a blue skin, and mount [the table] on staves.
9 ‘Then they must cover the Sacred Lamp that provides the light, along with its lanterns, snuffers, funnels, and all the oil jars, with a blue cloth, 10 and put it and all its utensils inside a blue skin bag, and mount it on staves. 11 Also, the golden [incense] altar must be wrapped in blue cloth, then covered with blue skins and mounted on staves.
12 ‘Then they must take all the rest of the things that are used in the services in the Holy Place, and put them in a blue cloth [bag], then cover them with blue skins, and mount them on staves.
13 ‘Then they must cover the Altar with purple cloth, 14 along with all the utensils that are used with it (the fire pans, flesh-hooks, cups, covering, and all its utensils), then wrap it in all a blue covering of skins, and mount it on the staves.
‘They must also cover the basin and its base with blue cloth, wrap it in blue skins, and mount it on staves.
15 ‘Aaron and his sons must finish covering the holy things and all the holy utensils before the camp can move. Thereafter, the sons of CaAth must bear all [the Tent’s] furnishings, but they must not [actually] touch the holy things, or else they will die. These [are just the things] that the sons of CaAth are to carry from the Tent of Proofs.
16 ‘EliEzer, the son of Aaron (the Priest) is to be the overseer. He is to give instructions concerning the oil for the lamp, the incense, the daily food offerings, and the anointing oil. He is to be in charge of the whole Tent, everything that’s in it, and everything that’s done there.’
17 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron and said, 18 ‘You must prevent the family of CaAth (the tribe among the Levites) from being destroyed. 19 This is what you must do for them so they can live and not die: Whenever they approach the Holy of Holies, Aaron and his sons must take the lead. Then they are the ones who must mount the [sacred items] to be carried on the staves. 20 In that way, [the family of CaAth] won’t [be tempted to] rush in to look at the holy things and die.
21 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 22 ‘Now take a census of the children of Gedson by family lines. 23 Count all those between the ages of twenty-five and fifty years old who go in to serve and work in the Tent of Proofs; 24 because the public service of the family of Gedson is to serve and to carry. 25 They must carry and attend to the skins of the Tent, the Tent of Proofs itself, its veil, the blue covering that goes over its top, the cover for the entrance to the Tent of Proofs, 26 all the curtains for the courtyard, the mountings, and all the other utensils of service.
27 The sons of Gedson must take their direction from Aaron and his sons in everything they do in their assignments and jobs. You must count them by names and [show them] all the things they must carry. 28 This is the job of the sons of Gedson in the Tent of Proofs. IthaMar, the son of Aaron the Priest, is to give them their instructions.
29 ‘Also, take a census of the sons of Merari by family lines. 30 Count all those between the ages of twenty-five and fifty years old who go in to serve and work in the Tent of Proofs. 31 These are the things you are to tell them, and that they must carry as their job at the Tent of Proofs: They must carry the Tent’s caps, rafters, poles, and sockets, as well as the sockets and poles for the veil and the curtain at the entrance to the Tent. 32 They must also carry the poles for the surrounding courtyard and for the veil at the entrance to the courtyard, along with their sockets, pins, ropes, furnishings, and things for service.
‘Count them by name, and show what each of them is to carry. 33 This is the assignment for the family of the sons of Merari. It is their job at the Tent of Proofs, under the direction of IthaMar, the son of Aaron the Priest.’
34 So, Moses, Aaron, and the rulers of Israel took a census of the sons of CaAth by family lines, 35 [and counted] all those between the ages of twenty-five and fifty years old who go in to serve and work in the Tent of Proofs. 36 And their number by family lines came to two thousand, seven hundred and fifty. 37 This is how many there were of the family of CaAth that served in the Tent of Proofs, as Moses and Aaron counted them, following Jehovah’s instructions to Moses.
38 Then they counted the sons of Gedson by family lines who were 39 between twenty-five and fifty years old that go in to serve at the Tent of Proofs. 40 And their number by family lines came to two-thousand, six hundred and thirty. 41 This is how many there were of the family of Gedson that served in the Tent of Proofs, as Moses and Aaron counted them, following Jehovah’s instructions to Moses.
42 Then they counted the sons of Merari by family lines who were 43 between twenty-five and fifty years old that go in to serve at the Tent of Proofs. 44 And their number by family lines came to three thousand, two hundred. 45 This is how many there were of the family of Merari, as Moses and Aaron counted them, following Jehovah’s instructions to Moses.
46 So, Moses, Aaron, and the rulers of
Chapter 5
1 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 2 ‘Give these instructions to the children of Israel: Tell them to drive everyone out of the camp that has leprosy, those with gonorrhea, and anyone who has made himself unclean [with a dead] person, 3 whether they are males or females. Drive them out of the camp, so they can’t dirty the place where I live among them.’
4 And that’s what the children of
5 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 6 ‘Speak to the children of Israel and tell them that any man or woman who has committed any of the sins that are common to man, or has in any way overstepped [My] Commandments and erred… 7 [that person] must confess the sin he committed and make restitution for his sin. He [must pay] the price and add a fifth more to it, and restore [everything] to the person he has sinned against.
8 ‘Now, if a man doesn’t owe anything to anyone for his sin, the sin-offering must be paid to Jehovah. A ram must be [be given to] the Priest as payment for his sins, and as the price to cover his sins.
9 ‘And when it comes to the first
fruitage of all the holy things among the children of
11 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 12 ‘Speak to the children of Israel and tell them that; whenever a wife rebels against [her husband] and tries to dominate and rule over him, 13 and then someone goes to bed with her and has sex with her behind her husband’s back; if she hides her filth and there is no proof of it (and [the other man] doesn’t take her), 14 and [her husband] thereafter develops a jealous spirit and suspects that she has dirtied herself – or if he has developed a jealous spirit and she hasn’t dirtied herself – 15 then he must bring his wife to the Priest, along with the gift of a quart of barley meal. He must not pour any oil or frankincense on the barley meal, because it is a sacrifice of jealousy. It is a sacrifice to be remembered and to recall sins to mind.
16 ‘Then the Priest must take [the woman] to stand before Jehovah. 17 The Priest must pour clean running water into a clay pot, then take some of the dirt that is on the floor of the Tent of Proofs and throw it into the water. 18 Then the Priest must stand the woman before Jehovah, uncover her head, and place the sacrifice that is to be remembered (the sacrifice of jealousy) into her hands.
‘Next, the Priest must take the water which brings a curse into his hands. 19 And the Priest must make the woman swear [in reply to the words], If you aren’t guilty and no one has lain with you, and if you haven’t sinned and dirtied yourself, and you have [been respectful] to your husband, [then say that you are] free from this water that brings the curse. 20 But if you have sinned and dirtied your marriage, and [allowed] someone to lie with you other than your husband… 21 then the Priest must make the woman swear [to accept] the oaths of this curse.
‘The Priest must say to her; May Jehovah bring a curse upon you by the oath [you have sworn] in the midst of your people. May Jehovah cause your [sexual parts] to rot away and your belly to swell. 22 May this water that brings the curse enter your womb to cause your belly to swell and your [sexual parts] to rot away.
‘And the woman must say, May it happen; may it happen.
23 ‘Thereafter, the Priest must write these curses on a scroll, then rinse them away with the water that brings the curse; 24 for he must make the woman drink the water that brings the curse.
25 ‘Next, the Priest must take the sacrifice of jealousy from the woman’s hands and carry it to the Altar to present it before Jehovah. 26 Then the Priest must take a handful of the sacrificial [grain] and offer it on the Altar as a reminder, and he must make the woman drink the water.
27 ‘And this is what will happen: If she has dirtied herself and her husband hasn’t been able to [prove] it, the water that brings the curse will enter her and cause her belly to swell and her [sexual parts] to rot away. Thereafter, the woman must be cursed among her people. 28 But if the woman hasn’t dirtied herself and has remained chaste, she must be declared free of guilt and give birth to a [child].
29 ‘This is the law of jealousy [that covers the cases of where] a married woman sins and dirties herself, 30 or where a man develops a jealous spirit and becomes jealous of his wife. He should take his wife before Jehovah, and the Priest must make her follow this law. 31 And whereas the man will be cleared from his sin, the woman must be responsible for hers.
Chapter 6
1 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 2 ‘Speak to the children of Israel and tell them that whenever a man or woman wishes to make a great vow to set himself aside as holy to Jehovah, 3 he may not eat or drink anything made from grapes, such as wine, brandy, fresh grapes, raisins, or vinegar that is made from wine or other alcoholic products 4 during the period of his vow. Nor may he eat anything that comes from the vine, such as wine made from grape seeds or skins, 5 during the whole period that they are set aside. Nor may a razor be used to cut the person’s hair until the period of the vow to Jehovah is completed. For the person must be holy and cherish the long hair of his head 6 for as long as his vow to Jehovah lasts, and he must not go near any dead bodies… 7 not even to [the corpse] of his father, mother, brother, or sister. They must not dirty themselves with dead bodies, because the vow of God is on them and on their heads, 8 and they must remain holy to Jehovah during the entire period of their vow.
9 ‘And if anyone should suddenly die near him, the head of that person will immediately be considered dirty and it must be cleansed. The person must shave his head on the seventh day, 10 then bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the Priest at the entrance to the two cherubs that are above the Propitiatory covering the Chest of Proofs on the eighth day. 11 The Priest must offer one as a sin offering and the other as a whole-burnt offering, to pay for the sin [of being close to] a dead body. Then the person’s head will [once again] become holy on that day, 12 and he will [again] be made perfect to Jehovah during the rest of [the period of] the vow. Then he must bring a yearling lamb as an offering for the error; and because the vow on his head was polluted, the full period of [the vow] must be [restarted].
13 ‘It is also the law for the person who has made such a vow, that on the day that his vow is finished, the person must bring gifts to the entrance of the Tent of Proofs. 14 The gifts that he must bring to Jehovah are: one perfect yearling male lamb as a whole-burnt offering; one perfect yearling female lamb as a sin offering; one perfect male sheep as a peace offering; 15 a basket of yeast-free bread made with fine flour and kneaded with oil; yeast-free cakes that have been anointed with oil; a food offering and a drink offering.
16 ‘The Priest must bring them before Jehovah and [sacrifice] the sin offering and the whole-burnt offering. 17 Then he must sacrifice the male sheep as a peace offering to Jehovah, along with the basket of yeast-free bread, followed by the food offering and the drink offering. 18 Then the one who made the vow must shave his head that was made holy, there at the entrance to the Tent of Proofs, and put the hair on the fire while it is burning the peace-offering sacrifice.
19 ‘Then, after the person has shaved off his holy hair, the Priest must take the larger of the ram’s shoulders, along with one yeast-free loaf and one yeast-free cake from the basket, and lay them in the person’s hands. 20 Then the Priest must present them as an offering before Jehovah, and this holy portion will then belong to the Priest, along with the breast and shoulder of the wave offering. Then the person who made the oath must drink some wine.
21 ‘This is the law for any person who makes a vow to Jehovah: [he must give all] his gifts that were promised to Jehovah, along with anything else that he may be able to afford, which is [in addition] to the things that are [required by] the strong vow of setting oneself aside as holy [to Jehovah].’
22 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 23 ‘Speak to Aaron and to his sons and tell them to bless the
sons of
Chapter 7
1 So, the day came when Moses finished setting up the Tent. Then he anointed it and made it and all its furnishings, and the Altar and all its furnishings, holy… he made them perfect by anointing them.
2 Then the leaders of
4 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 5 ‘Take [these things] and use them for service at the two cherubs that are above the Propitiatory, which cover the Chest of Proofs. Give the [wagons] to the Levites. [Distribute] them among the groups by their assigned jobs.’
6 So, Moses took the wagons and bulls, and gave them to the
Levites. 7 He gave two wagons and four bulls to the sons of Gedson for their
jobs, 8 and four wagons and eight bulls to the sons of Merari for their
assignments under IthaMar, the son of Aaron the Priest. 9 However, he didn’t
give any to the sons of CaAth, because the sacred things that they had to carry
were to be borne on their shoulders. 10 [
11 Then Jehovah told Moses, ‘One leader must also bring a gift each day for the dedication of the Altar.’
12 So on the first day, NaAsson (the son of
AmiNadab), the
leader of the tribe of
18 On the second day, NathanaEl (the son of Sogar), the leader of the tribe of IsSachar, brought 19 his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty holy silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 20 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 21 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 22 one goat kid (for a sin offering), 23 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of NathanaEl, the son of Sogar.
24 On the third day, EliAb the son of Chaelon), the leader of the tribe of ZebuLun, brought 25 his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty holy silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 26 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 27 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 28 one goat kid (for a sin offering) 29 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of EliAb, the son of Chaelon.
30 On the fourth day, EliSur (the son of SediUr), the leader of the tribe of Reuben, brought 31 his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty holy silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 32 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 33 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 34 one goat kid (for a sin offering), 35 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of EliSur, the son of SediUr.
36 On the fifth day, SalamiEl (the son of SuriSadai) the leader of the tribe of Symeon, brought 37 his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty holy silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 38 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 39 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 40 one goat kid (for a sin offering), 41 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of SalamiEl, the son of SuriSadai.
42 On the sixth day, EliSaph (the son of RaguEl), the leader of the tribe of Gad, brought 43 his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 44 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 45 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 46 one goat kid (for a sin offering), 47 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of EliSaph, the son of RaguEl.
48 On the seventh day, EliSama (the son of EmiUd), the leader of the tribe of Ephraim, 49 brought his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 50 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 51 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 52 one goat kid (for a sin offering), 53 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of EliSama, the son of EmiUd.
54 On the eighth day, GamaliEl (the son of PhadasSur), the leader of the tribe of Manasseh, 55 brought his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 56 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 57 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 58 one goat kid (for a sin offering), 59 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of GamaliEl, the son of PhadasSur.
60 On the ninth day, AbiDan (the son of GadeOni), the leader of the tribe of BenJamin, 61 brought his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 62 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 63 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 64 one goat kid (for a sin offering), 65 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of AbiDan, the son of GadeOni.
66 On the tenth day, AchiEzer (the son of AmiSadai), the leader of the tribe of Dan, 67 brought his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 68 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 69 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 70 one goat kid (for a sin offering), 71 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of AchiEzer, the son of AmiSadai.
72 On the eleventh day, PhageEl (the son of Echran), the leader of the tribe of Asher, 73 brought his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 74 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 75 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 76 one goat kid (for a sin offering), 77 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of PhageEl, the son of Echran.
78 On the twelfth day, AchiRe (the son of AiNan), the leader of the tribe of Naphtali, 79 brought his gift. [It included] one silver platter that weighed the same as a hundred and thirty silver coins, and a silver bowl that weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. Both were filled with fine flour that was kneaded with oil for a food offering. 80 [There was also] a golden censer filled with ten silver coins worth of incense, 81 as well as one calf from the herd, one ram, and one yearling male lamb (for a whole-burnt offering), 82 one goat kid (for a sin offering), 83 and two heifers, five rams, five billy goats, and five yearling female lambs for a peace-offering sacrifice. These were the gifts of AchiRe, the son of AiNan.
84 These [were the gifts] from the leaders of the tribes of Israel during the period when the Altar was being anointed. There were twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, and twelve golden censers. 85 Each platter weighed the same as a hundred and thirty silver coins, and each bowl weighed the same as seventy holy silver coins. So all together, their combined weight was two-thousand four hundred holy silver coins. 86 The twelve golden censers were each filled with incense, and the gold weighed the same as a hundred and twenty silver coins.
87 The number of cattle for the whole-burnt offerings amounted to twelve calves, twelve rams, and twelve yearling male lambs (plus food offerings and drink offerings). For the sin offerings, there were twelve kid goats. 88 The number of cattle that were sacrificed for the peace offering included twenty-four heifers, sixty rams, sixty yearling billy goats, and sixty perfect yearling female lambs, which were all offered for the dedication of the Altar.
After that, [Moses] made [Aaron] perfect by anointing him.
89 From that point on, whenever Moses went into the Tent of Proofs to speak to God, he would hear the voice of Jehovah speaking to him from between the two cherubs that were above the Propitiatory, which covers the Chest of Proofs.
Chapter 8
1 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 2 ‘Speak to Aaron and tell him that when he assembles the [sacred] lamp, the seven lanterns must be arranged to illuminate the area across from the lamp.’
3 And that’s what Aaron did. He [assembled and] lit the lamps to illuminate the area directly across from the lamp, just as Jehovah instructed Moses.
4 The Sacred Lamp’s base and stem were of solid gold, as were its lilies. They were made following the pattern that Jehovah had shown to Moses.
5 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 6 ‘Take the Levites out from among the children of Israel and purify them. 7 This is how should you perform their purification: Have them rinse themselves in clean water, shave all the hair from their bodies, then wash their clothes, and make sure they are clean.
8 ‘Then they must bring two yearling calves from the herd,
along with a food offering and some fine flour mixed with oil. 9 Then assemble
the entire gathering of the sons of
11 ‘Next, Aaron must set the Levites aside as a gift to Jehovah from the children of Israel, and they must be made ready to perform Jehovah’s work. 12 Then have the Levites lay their hands on the heads of the calves, and you should sacrifice one as a sin offering, and the other as a whole-burnt offering to Jehovah, to pay for their sins.
13 ‘Then stand the Levites in front of Jehovah (and before Aaron and his sons), and give them to Jehovah as a gift. 14 Separate the Levites from among the sons of Israel as Mine.
15 ‘Thereafter, the Levites must go to the Tent where they
are to work, and you must purify them and present them there before Jehovah, 16
for they will have been given to Me as a gift from the children of Israel. I
have taken them as Mine in place of all the firstborn sons of
20 Then Moses, Aaron, and the entire gathering of the children of Israel did everything that Jehovah commanded Moses concerning the Levites. 21 The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a gift before Jehovah, and [sacrificed] the payments for their sins to purify them. 22 Thereafter, the Levites entered the Tent to serve before Aaron and his sons, just as Jehovah had instructed Moses.
23 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 24 ‘This is the rule for the Levites: Those who are twenty-five years old and older must enter to serve in the Tent of Proofs. 25 But when they reach fifty years old, they may no longer serve or work there. 26 They may supervise their brothers who serve in the Tent of Proofs, but they may not work there anymore. Give the Levites these instructions.’
Chapter 9
1 In the first month of the second year after they had left
the
4 So, Moses ordered the children of Israel to sacrifice the Passover 5 on the fourteenth day of the first month, there in the Sinai Desert. And the children of Israel did just as Jehovah told Moses.
6 However, there were some men who were unclean due to [touching] a dead body, and they were unable to keep the Passover on that day. So, they went before Moses and Aaron 7 and said, ‘We are unclean because we touched the dead body of a man. As the result, are we not to be allowed to offer our gifts to Jehovah at this time, along with the rest of the children of Israel?’
8 Then Moses said, ‘Stay here and I will listen to whatever instructions Jehovah gives us about this.’
9 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 10 ‘Tell the sons of Israel that whenever a man among you or your descendants has become unclean because of touching a dead body, or is far away on a journey, he must still keep the Passover to Jehovah, 11 but he must do it on the evening of the fourteenth day of the second month. [The Passover sacrifice] must be offered then, and eaten with yeast-free bread and bitter herbs. 12 They must not leave any of it over until the next day, nor may they break any of its bones. They must offer the sacrifice just as they would on the Passover. 13 But if anyone is clean and is not away on a trip, he must be sure to keep the Passover. Any person who doesn’t offer the gift to Jehovah at the proper time is guilty, and must be cut off from his people.
14 ‘And if an alien should come into your land and wish to observe the Passover to Jehovah, he must do so according to the laws and instructions concerning the Passover. So, there is just one law [concerning this], and it applies to both natives and aliens.’
15 Starting from the time that the Tent was [first] pitched, a cloud covered the Tent of Proofs all day long, and what looked like fire covered the Tent from evening until morning. 16 And that’s how it always was… a cloud cover by day, and the appearance of fire by night. 17 And whenever the cloud left the Tent, the children of Israel were to leave that place, and whenever the cloud just stayed there, the children of Israel camped.
18 Therefore, children of Israel camped by the commands of Jehovah, and they moved by the commands of Jehovah. As long as the cloud covered the Tent, the children of Israel were to camp. 19 And even if the cloud stayed over the Tent for a long time, the children of Israel were to follow God’s instructions and not move. 20 For whenever the cloud covered the Tent for a number of days, they were to camp, following the words of Jehovah, and they were to stay camped there by the commands of Jehovah. 21 But, whenever the cloud moved up from over the Tent, they were to move, whether it was day or night. 22 If the cloud covered the Tent for a full month, the children of Israel had to camp and were not to leave, 23 for they were only to move by the commands of Jehovah. And this is what they did. They followed the instructions and commands that Jehovah gave through Moses.
Chapter 10
1 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 2 ‘Make two silver trumpets for yourselves to call assemblies and to move the camp. Make them of hammered [brass]. 3 With one [type of] sound, the whole gathering must come to the entrance of the Tent of Proofs. 4 And with another, just the rulers and leaders must come to you.
5 ‘You must sound an alarm for the camp to move, starting with those in the east. 6 When you sound a second alarm, the camps to the south must move. With the sound of the third alarm, those camps pitched in the west must move, and with the fourth alarm, those that are camping in the north must move… and they must sound an alarm as they leave
7 ‘Blow the horn to sound assembly, but not as an alarm. 8 The Priests (the sons of Aaron) must blow the trumpets. This is to be the rule for you through all your generations and through the ages.
9 ‘And if you must go to war against your enemies that will oppose to you in your land, you must also blow the trumpets as a reminder to Jehovah, and then you will be saved from your enemies.
10 ‘And on days when you are joyful, or during your feasts, or during your New Moons, and when you sacrifice whole-burnt offerings and peace offerings, you must blow the trumpets. 11 This must be done as a reminder to you before your God, for I am Jehovah your God.’
12 So, the children of Israel packed their bags in the Sinai Desert, and the cloud came to rest in the Pharan Desert. 13 And following the instructions of Jehovah through Moses, the first group started their march.
14 The first to leave were the children of Judah with their army, headed by NaAsson, the son of AmiNadab. 15 They [were followed by] the sons of IsSachar under NathanaEl, the son of Sogar. 16 Then came the army of the tribe of the sons of ZebuLun, under EliAb, the son of Chaelon.
17 Then the Tent was taken down, and the sons of Gedson started out, followed by the sons of Merari, who carried the Tent.
18 Then came the camp of Reuben and their army that was led by EliSur, the son of SediUr. 19 They were followed by the army of the tribe of the sons of Symeon, under SalamiEl, the son of SuriSadai. 20 Next came the army of the children from the tribe of Gad, under EliSaph, the son of RaguEl.
21 Then the sons of CaAth came forward bearing the holy things (for the Tent was to be set up before they arrived).
22 Next, the camp of Ephraim set out with their army under EliSama, the son of SemiUd. 23 They were followed by the armies of the tribe of the sons of Manasseh, under GamaliEl, the son of PhadasSur. 24 Then came the army of the tribe of the children of BenJamin, under AbiDan, the son of GadeOni. 25 Next in the order of the camp came the sons of Dan and their army, under AchiEzer, the son of AmiSadai. 26 Then came the army of the tribe of the sons of Asher, under PhageEl, the son of Echran. 27 They were followed by the army of the tribe of the sons of Nephthali, under AchiRe, the son of AiNan.
28 These are the armies of the children of Israel, and it’s the way that they started their march.
29 And Moses said to his father-in-law Jethro (the son of RaguEl the Midianite), ‘We are traveling to the place about which Jehovah said, I’m going to give this to you. So, come with us and we will treat you well, because Jehovah has promised good things for Israel.’
30 But [Jethro] replied, ‘No, I won’t go. I’m going to return to my family and my land.’
31 However, [Moses insisted] saying, ‘Don’t leave us! Why, you’ve been with us all through the desert, and you should be considered an elder among us. 32 For if you go with us, when Jehovah does good things for us, we will do good things for you.’
33 Then they left the Mountain of Jehovah and traveled for three days. And the Chest of Jehovah’s Sacred Agreement was carried ahead of them for all three days as a comfort to them. 34 And the cloud hung over them by day, starting from when they left the camp.
35 Then when the Chest was brought forward, Moses said, ‘Arise, O Jehovah! Let Your enemies be scattered and may all that hate You run in terror.’
36 And when they reached its resting place, he said, ‘Turn [Your face] again, O Jehovah, to the thousands and tens of thousands in Israel.’
Chapter 11
1 Then the people started murmuring sinful things against Jehovah, and He heard them. This made Him very angry, and a fire that came from Jehovah started burning among them, which consumed part of the camp. 2 So, the people called for Moses. And after he prayed to Jehovah, the fire went out. 3 Thereafter, they call that place ‘The Burning,’ because that was where a fire from Jehovah had burned among them.
4 It was the [Gentiles] who were mixed among them that
started [complaining]. They (and some of the children of
7 The manna looked like coriander seeds, and it appeared [on the ground] like frost. 8 The people went into the fields and collected it, then they ground it in a mill or pounded it in a mortar. Thereafter, they baked it in a pan and made cakes from it. It tasted like sweet crackers that had been mixed with oil. 9 And during the night, when the dew was settling on the camp, the manna came down upon it.
10 Well, Moses heard them sitting in front of their [tents]
in family groups, crying. This made Jehovah very angry, and Moses viewed these
actions as evil. 11 So, Moses asked Jehovah, ‘Why have You done this to your
servant, and why haven’t I found favor in Your eyes, so that You should lay the
burden of these people on me?
16 Then Jehovah told Moses, ‘Gather seventy men from among the elders of Israel to Me. [Make sure that] you know they are the elders and scribes among the people, then bring them to the Tent of Proofs and have them stand there with you. 17 Then I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take [some] of [My] Breath that is on you and put it on them. Then they will have to share the burden of the people with you, and you won’t have to handle it by yourself.
18 ‘Then go to the people and tell them, ‘Now purify yourselves, because tomorrow you’re going to eat meat. Yes, you who have bawled before Jehovah and asked, Who will give us meat to eat? and said, Things were good for us [back in Egypt].
‘So, Jehovah will provide meat, and you must eat the meat. 19 You aren’t going to eat it for one day, or two, or five, or ten, or twenty days. 20 You’re going to eat it for a full month… until it comes out your noses! You’re going to be sick of it, because you disobeyed Jehovah who is here among you. You bawled in front of Him and asked, Why did we ever leave Egypt?’
21 Then Moses asked, ‘Why, there are six-hundred-thousand soldiers among us, and are You telling me to give them enough meat to eat for a whole month? 22 Must we slaughter all the sheep and cattle for them… and will even that be enough? Or must we catch all the fish in the sea for them, and would that be enough?’
23 Then Jehovah said to Moses: ‘Isn’t the hand of Jehovah big enough? By now you should know whether My words will come true.’
24 So, Moses went out and told the people what Jehovah said. Then he gathered seventy men from among the people’s elders and stood them around the Tent.
25 Thereafter, Jehovah came down in a cloud to speak to [Moses], and He took some of the Breath that was in him and put it into the seventy elders. And when [God’s] Breath came to rest upon them, they started prophesying… and then they stopped.
26 However, two of these men were still back in the camp at the time; one was ElDad, and the other was MoDad. They were part of the group that [Moses] had chosen, but they hadn’t made it to the Tent. Yet, [God’s] Breath also came to rest upon them, and they started prophesying in the camp.
27 At that, a young man ran and told Moses. He said: ‘ElDad and MoDad are prophesying in the camp.’
28 Well, JoShua (the son of Naue) who was Moses’ assistant and chosen successor, said, ‘Lord Moses, make them stop!’
29 But Moses replied, ‘Are you jealous for me? I wish that all of Jehovah’s people were Prophets when He puts His Breath on them.’
30 And with that, Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.
31 Then Jehovah blew His Breath, and [flocks of] quail blew over the sea and into the camp. They covered the ground several feet deep for a day’s journey all around the camp. 32 So, the people went out all that day, all night, and all the next day to gather quail. Even those who gathered the least gathered hundreds. Then all around the camp they [sat down to feast].
33 Well, they were still picking the meat that was stuck between their teeth when Jehovah showed how angry He was with the people, for He then struck them with a great plague.
34 Thereafter, that place was called the Graves of Greed, because that’s where they buried all the greedy people.
35 Then the people moved away from the Graves of Greed [and went to] to AsherOth, where they [set up camp].
Chapter 12
1 Then Miriam and Aaron started condemning Moses because of the Ethiopian woman who he had taken as his wife. 2 They asked, ‘Is Moses the only one that Jehovah has spoken to? Hasn’t He also spoken to us?’ And Jehovah heard them say this.
3 Now, Moses was the humblest man on the earth, 4 so Jehovah immediately spoke to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, and said. ‘All three of you, come to the Tent of Proofs!’
5 So, the three of them went to the Tent of Proofs, and Jehovah descended in a column of clouds. He stood there at the entrance to the Tent of Proofs and called Aaron and Miriam, and they stepped forward. 6 Then He said to them, ‘Listen to Me; If either of you are Prophets of Jehovah, I will make things known to you in a vision and speak to you as you sleep. 7 However, that isn’t the way [that I speak] to My servant Moses who has faithfully [served] in My House. 8 I’m not hidden to him, but I appear and speak to him mouth to mouth. Why, he has seen the glory of Jehovah, so why aren’t you afraid to speak against My servant Moses?’
9 Jehovah was very angry with them, and then as He left, 10 the cloud disappeared from the Tent, and {Look!} Miriam had leprosy that was [as white] as snow!
Well, when Aaron saw that Miriam had leprosy, 11 he said to Moses, ‘I beg you my lord, don’t hold this sin against us, because we did this in ignorance. 12 Don’t allow her to be one of the [walking] dead – like a miscarriage from her mother’s womb – and half of her flesh to be eaten away.’
13 Then Moses called to Jehovah and said, ‘Oh God, I beg You; heal her!’
14 And Jehovah replied to Moses, ‘If her father had just spit in her face, wouldn’t she have been shamed for seven days? Therefore, she may not enter the camp for seven days; but then she may return.’
15 So, Miriam was driven away from the camp for seven days, and the people didn’t beak camp until Miriam was cleansed.
Chapter 13
1 After that, the people left AsherOth and camped in the Pharan Desert. 2 There Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 3 ‘Send some men as spies into the land of the Canaanites that I am giving to the sons of Israel. Choose men who are leaders from each of the tribes and family lines.’
4 So, following Jehovah’s instructions, Moses chose leaders from the sons of Israel and sent them out from the Desert of Pharan. 5 From the tribe of Reuben [he sent] SamuEl, the son of Zachur. 6 From the tribe of Symeon [he sent] Saphat, the son of Suri. 7 From the tribe of Judah [he sent] Caleb, the son of JePhonNe. 8 From the tribe of IsSachar [he sent] IlaAl, the son of Joseph. 9 From the tribe of Ephraim [he sent] Ause, the son of Naue. 10 From the tribe of BenJamin [he sent] Phalti, the son of Raphu. 11 From the tribe of ZebuLun [he sent] GudiEl, the son of Sudi. 12 From the tribe of Joseph’s son Manasseh [he sent] GadDi, the son of Susi. 13 From the tribe of Dan [he sent] AmiEl, the son of Gamali. 14 From the tribe of Asher [he sent] Sathur, the son of MichaEl. 15 From the tribe of Nephthali [he sent] Nabi, the son of Sabi. 16 And from the tribe of Gad [he sent] GudiEl, the son of MacChi. 17 These are the men who Moses sent as spies into the land. However, Moses called Ause (the son of Naue) JoShua.
18 As Moses sent them to spy in the land of Canaan, he told them, ‘Travel through this desert, then climb the mountain and 19 peer into the land to see what it looks like, and watch the people who live there to [determine] whether they are strong or weak, many or few. 20 Then notice whether the land they live on is good or bad, what cities are there, and whether they have walls or not. 21 Also, pay attention to the land and see whether it is rich or poor, and if there are trees. Then venture in and take some of the fruitage of the land.’
Well, it was springtime, and the grapes were ready to be harvested.
22 Then they went and surveyed the land from the Sin Desert [all the way] to RhoOb (on the way to AiMath). 23 They traveled through the desert and got as far as Hebron, and found AchiMan, SesSi, and Thelami, the descendants of Enach. (Hebron had been built seven years before Tanin of Egypt).
24 Well, when they got to the valley where the grapes were grown, after surveying it, they cut down a cluster of grapes and carried it on staves. They also picked some pomegranates and figs. 25 Then they called that place The Valley of the Cluster, because of the cluster of [grapes] that the children of Israel cut down there.
26 Then after forty days, they returned from their survey of
the land 27 and they went before Moses, Aaron, and the entire gathering of the children of
‘We also saw the children of Enach there, 30 and the Amalechites live in the land toward the south, while the Hittites, Evites, Jebusites, and Amorites live in the hill country, and the Canaanites live between the Sea and the Jordan River.’
31 Then Caleb stopped them from speaking before Moses, and said, ‘No, we must surely go there and inherit [that land], because we can beat them.’
32 But the [the other] men disagreed and said, ‘We must not go there, because there’s no way we can beat a nation like that; for they’re much stronger than we are.’
33 Then they really terrified the children of Israel when they said, ‘The land that we walked through and surveyed swallows up the people who live there. And all the people that we saw there were huge! 34 We saw giants who [were so large] that we looked like grasshoppers in comparison’.
Chapter 14
1 At that, the whole gathering started wailing and crying, which went on all through the night. 2 Then all the children of Israel started grumbling about Moses and Aaron, and they came to them and said, 3 ‘We would rather have died in the land of Egypt than in this desert! Why is Jehovah bringing us to this land just to be killed in war, and our wives and children to serve as prey? It would be better for us to return to Egypt.’
4 Then they started saying to each other, ‘Let’s appoint [someone else] as our ruler, and return to Egypt.’
5 At this, Moses and Aaron just fell on their faces before the entire gathering of the children of Israel. 6 But JoShua (the son of Naue) and Caleb (the son of JePhonNe), who were among those that spied in the land, started ripping their clothes. 7 Then they addressed the gathering of the children of Israel and said: ‘The land that we surveyed is really very good. 8 And if we have been chosen by Jehovah, He will bring us into this land and give it to us – a land that flows with milk and honey. 9 So, don’t leave Jehovah, and don’t be afraid of the people in that land, because they are just meat for us. Their time has ended, for Jehovah is with us. Don’t be afraid!’
10 Then all the people started throwing rocks at them. [And
suddenly] the glory of Jehovah appeared
in the cloud over the Tent of Proofs before all
the children of
13 But Moses replied, ‘Then Egypt would hear of it! Why, You used Your power to bring these people out from among them. 14 Also, the people who live in this land have heard that You are their Lord, that You are with these people, and that You, O Jehovah, have been seen face to face. Why, Your cloud rests upon them, and You lead them each day in a column of clouds and by a column of fire all night long. 15 So, if You were to destroy this whole nation, then all the nations that have heard of Your Name will say, 16 Because Jehovah couldn’t bring His people into the land that He swore to give them, He has [killed] them in the desert.
17 ‘So, O Lord, show Your power; and may the things You said prove to be true: 18 Jehovah is patient, merciful, and true. He removes mistakes, errors, and sins. He will never acquit the guilty, but will bring the sins of fathers on their children for three or four generations. 19 Forgive these people for their sins by Your great mercy, and show them the same favor [that You’ve shown] them [since You led them out of] Egypt.’
20 Then Jehovah replied to Moses: ‘I will be [patient] with them as you’ve asked. 21 For as I live, and as My Name is living, the glory of Jehovah must fill the whole earth. 22 Because, all men have seen My glory through all the signs that I gave in Egypt and in the desert. But this is the tenth time that [Israel] has tested Me and refused to listen to My voice. 23 So, they will not see the land that I promised to their fathers. Rather, I will give it to their children who are with Me here… those who are inexperienced and don’t yet know good from bad. I’m going to give the land to them, but those who angered Me will never see it. 24 However, My servant Caleb [will see it], because he had a different spirit and he followed Me. I will bring him into the land that he traveled through, and his seed will inherit it. 25 But the Amalechites and Canaanites will [continue to] live in the valley. So tomorrow [you must] turn around and return to the desert by way of the Red Sea.’
26 Then Jehovah spoke to both Moses and Aaron and said, 27 ‘How much longer will this gathering remain wicked? I’ve heard the grumbling against Me coming from [all] the children of Israel… and all their complaints about you. 28 So, tell them that Jehovah says, As I live, whatever I’ve heard you say is exactly what I’m going to do to you. 29 Your bodies will fall in this desert, and all those who were reviewed and counted from twenty years old and up – all who grumbled against Me – 30 will never enter the land that I stretched out My hand to give you, except for Caleb (the son of JePhonNe), and JoShua (the son of Naue).
31 ‘Then I will bring your little ones (who you said would serve as prey) into the land, and they will inherit the land that you rejected, 32 while your bodies will fall in this desert. 33 Then your sons must be fed in this desert for forty years. So, they must carry the weight of your infidelity, while your bodies [start to] rot in the desert. 34 For each day that was spent spying in that land – forty days – you must bear your sins a day for a year, or for forty years, and you will get to know My rage. 35 For I Jehovah have spoken, and that’s what I will do to this evil gathering that has stood together against Me. You will be totally destroyed and die here in this desert!’
36 Then all the men who Moses sent to spy in the land and who then returned and grumbled before the group and said evil things about the land 37 were struck with a plague from Jehovah and died. 38 So, among the men who served as spies in the land, only JoShua (the son of Naue) and Caleb (the son of JePhonNe) survived.
39 Thereafter, Moses explained all these things to the children of Israel, and the people became very depressed.
40 Then early the next morning, [Moses] stepped up to the top of a hill and said, ‘{Look!} Now those of us who are left are going to travel to the place where Jehovah told us to go, because we have sinned.’
41 And Moses asked, ‘Why didn’t you obey the words of Jehovah and prosper? 42 Now you can’t [enter the land], because Jehovah isn’t with you; otherwise you will [be cut down] before your enemies. 43 For the Amalechites and the Canaanites stand there in front of you, and you will be cut down with swords, because you disobeyed Jehovah and turned aside. So, Jehovah will not be among you.’
44 Well, they went up to the top of the mountain and tried to force their way [into the land] anyhow, but the Chest of Jehovah’s Sacred Agreement and Moses never left the camp. 45 So, the Amalechites and the Canaanites that lived on the mountain attacked them, drove them away, and destroyed them all the way to [Mount] Herman. And they [had to] return to the camp.
Chapter 15
1 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 2 ‘Speak to the children of Israel and tell them, When you enter the land that I will give to you (and the place where you will live) 3 and offer whole-burnt offerings to Jehovah, or offerings to fulfill a vow, or free-will offerings, or feast sacrifices from the herd or flock as a sweet odor to Jehovah, 4 the person who offers the gift must also bring a food offering of a quart of flour mixed with oil, 5 and a quart [of wine] as a drink offering with each lamb that you sacrifice as a sweet odor to Jehovah.
6 ‘And when you offer a ram as a whole-burnt offering or sacrifice, you should prepare a food offering of two quarts of fine flour mixed with oil, 7 and two quarts of wine as a drink offering, as a sweet odor to Jehovah.
8 ‘And if you offer a sacrifice from the herd as a whole-burnt offering, or a sacrifice to fulfill a vow, or as a peace offering to Jehovah, 9 then (along with the calf) add a food offering of three quarts of fine flour mixed with oil, 10 and three quarts of wine as a drink offering, as a sweet odor to Jehovah.
11 ‘You must do this for each calf, ram, lamb, sheep, or goat kid that you offer. 12 And you must do the same thing for each one, no matter how many you may offer. 13 All the natives in the country must do this whenever they offer sacrifices as a sweet odor to Jehovah. 14 Whether the person is an alien in your land or someone who was born among you, they must offer [the same] sacrifices as a sweet odor to [Jehovah… everyone among the gathering must offer sacrifices to Jehovah.15 There must be just one law for you and for the aliens who live among you. It is a law through the ages and throughout your generations that the aliens must act as you do before Jehovah. 16 Both you and the aliens who live among you must follow the same laws and regulations.’
17 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said: 18 ‘Speak to the sons of Israel and tell them, When you enter the land where I am taking you 19 and you start eating bread from the land, you must set aside a special wave-offering to Jehovah from the first fruitage of your dough. 20 You must set aside and offer your bread as a wave offering in the same way that you offer grain – 21 as the first fruitage of your dough – and give it to Jehovah as a wave offering throughout your generations.
22 ‘Now, if you should fail to follow all these commandments that Jehovah gave to Moses, 23 and which Moses has been telling you since the day that Jehovah selected you and on through your generations, 24 and if an error is committed by mistake and without the knowledge of the gathering, then the whole gathering must offer a perfect calf from the herd as a whole-burnt offering and as a sweet odor to Jehovah, along with food and drink offerings (according to the rules), and one goat kid as a sin offering.
25 ‘Then the Priest must make payment for the sins of the entire gathering of the children of Israel, and they will be forgiven, because it was a mistake, and they have brought their gift as a burnt-offering to Jehovah for their error and involuntary sin. 26 If it is a mistake, all must be forgiven, whether they are from the children of Israel or from the aliens that are living among you.
27 ‘And if a person sins by mistake, he must bring a yearling nanny goat as a sin offering. 28 Then the Priest must [sacrifice it] to pay for the sin that was committed in error. 29 This same law applies to the natives of the children of Israel and to the aliens who live among them… whoever commits an error unwittingly.
30 ‘And whenever any person – a native or an alien – does anything so presumptuous as to anger God, he must be cut off from among his people. 31 For when he disregards the Word of Jehovah and breaks His Laws, that person must be found guilty of sin and destroyed.’
32 Well, it was while the children of Israel were in the desert that they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath. 33 And those who found him doing this brought him before Moses, Aaron, and the entire gathering of the children of Israel. 34 Then he was placed in custody, because they didn’t know what to do with him. 35 But thereafter, Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, ‘The man must absolutely be put to death by the entire gathering. Stone him with rocks!’
36 So, the entire gathering dragged him outside the camp and stoned him with rocks, just as Jehovah had commanded Moses.
37 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 38 ‘Speak to the children of Israel and tell them that they must wear fringes on the bottoms of their clothing throughout all their generations. These fringes are to be made of blue lace. 39 Then, whenever they look at these fringes, they must think of all the Commandments of Jehovah and remember to obey them, instead of turning back and following the immoral things of their imaginations. 40 They must remember and obey all My Commandments, and be holy before Me, 41 for I am Jehovah, the God who brought them out of the land of Egypt to be their God. I am Jehovah your God!’
Chapter 16
1 And Cora (the son of IsaAr, of CaAth, of Levi), Dathan, AbiRam (the sons of EliAb), and Aun (the son of Phaleth of Reuben) started talking 2 in rebellion against Moses, along with two hundred and fifty men from the sons of Israel who were chiefs of the assembly, chosen advisors, and men of fame. 3 They came up against Moses and Aaron, and said, ‘That’s enough of you! Why, the whole gathering of Israel is holy, and Jehovah is among them; so why have you set yourselves up over the gathering of Jehovah?’
4 Well, when Moses heard this, he fell to his face. 5 Then he spoke to Cora and his group and said, ‘God has visited us, and He knows who are His, who are holy, who are set aside to Him, who He has chosen, and who He has purchased for Himself. 6 So, do this: Cora and his entire group should take their censors 7 and put fire and incense in them to stand before Jehovah tomorrow. Then we will let Jehovah choose who will be holy. And may this settle the matter, you sons of Levi.’
8 Then Moses addressed Cora, saying, ‘Listen
to me, you sons of Levi. 9 Is it unimportant to you that the God of Israel has
separated you from the rest of the gathering of
12 Then Moses sent for Dathan and AbiRam (the sons of EliAb), and they replied, ‘We aren’t coming. 13 Doesn’t it matter to you that you brought us to a land flowing with milk and honey, [then you decided] to kill us here in the desert? And now do you want to rule over us too? 14 Why, if you’re our leader, then why didn’t you bring us into the land that’s flowing with milk and honey, and give us our inheritance of land and vineyards? Couldn’t you have just blinded the eyes of the men [in that land]? No, we aren’t coming!’
15 Well, this upset Moses, and he said to Jehovah, ‘Don’t accept their sacrifices, because I haven’t taken anything that they want away from them, nor have I harmed any of them.’
16 Then Moses told Cora, ‘Be sure that your whole group is holy, then get them ready to stand before Jehovah with Aaron tomorrow. 17 Each man must bring his censer, then you must each put incense in them and carry the censers before Jehovah… two hundred and fifty censers in all. Then you and Aaron must also bring your censers.’
18 So, each man brought his censer, put fire and incense in them, then they stood beside Moses and Aaron at the entrance to the Tent of Proofs. 19 There Cora and his group stood defiantly as the glory of Jehovah appeared to the whole gathering.
20 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron and said, 21 ‘Stand away from the entire gathering [of Israel], for I am getting ready to consume them all.’
22 Well, they fell to their faces, and begged, ‘Oh God; the God of all the spirits and flesh; if just one man has sinned, must You bring Your rage against the whole gathering?’
23 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 24 ‘Then tell the gathering to get away from Cora and his group.’
25 So, Moses got up and walked over to Dathan and AbiRam, and all the elders of Israel went with him. 26 Then he spoke to the gathering and said, ‘Get away from the tents of these stubborn men, and don’t touch anything that belongs to them. Otherwise, you’ll be consumed along with them for their sins.’
27 So, everyone got away from their tents, and Cora, Dathan, and AbiRam went over and stood at the entrances to their tents, along with their wives, their children, and all their belongings.
28 Then Moses said, ‘Now you will know that when Jehovah sent me to do these things, it wasn’t on my own. 29 If these men just die a natural death, and if what happens to them is the same as what happens to all men, then Jehovah hasn’t sent me. 30 But if Jehovah brings a miracle and the earth opens her mouth and swallows them, their homes, their tents, and everything that belongs to them, and they go down into their graves alive, then you must know that these men have angered Jehovah.’
31 And just as he finished saying those words, the ground rumbled beneath them. 32 Then the ground opened and swallowed them, their homes, all the men that were with Cora, and all their cattle. 33 They and all that they had went down into their graves alive. Then the ground covered them, and they perished there in the midst of the gathering.
34 At that, all the Israelites who were standing nearby fled from the noise, shouting: ‘[Run], so the earth doesn’t swallow us too!’
35 Then fire came from Jehovah and it consumed the two-hundred and fifty men who were offering the incense.
36 Thereafter, Jehovah spoke to 37 EliEzer (the son of Aaron the Priest) through Moses, and said, ‘Now, pick up the bronze censers from where the men were burned, then melt them down, because they are holy, 38 [and use them as a sign against] those sinners and against their lives. Beat [the metal] into plates to cover the Altar, for these [censors] were brought before Jehovah as holy, so they must be used as a sign to the children of Israel.’
39 So, EliEzer (the son of Aaron the Priest) took the bronze censers that the men who had been burned had carried, and he formed them into a covering for the Altar. 40 This was to serve as a reminder to the children of Israel that no one other than the seed of Aaron might come close to offer incense before Jehovah, so that what happened to Cora and those who conspired with him doesn’t happen to them. [He did just] as Jehovah told him through Moses.
41 Well, the next day, the people started grumbling against Moses and Aaron again, and they shouted, ‘You’ve killed the people of Jehovah.’ 42 Then a mob gathered against Moses and Aaron, and they foolishly ran into the Tent of Proofs. And at that, the cloud covered it and the glory of Jehovah appeared.
43 Then Moses and Aaron entered through the front of the Tent of Proofs, 44 and Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron and said, 45 ‘Get away from the whole gathering [of the children of Israel], because I am consuming them.’
And immediately they fell to their faces, 46 and Moses said to Aaron, ‘Take a censer, put some fire from the Altar and some incense in it, and quickly carry it into the camp to pay for their sins. Because, Jehovah’s rage has come upon us and He is already destroying the people!’
47 So, Aaron took it, just as Moses told him, and ran around through the gathering, because a plague had already started among them. He used the incense to pay for the sins of the people. 48 Then he stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped.
49 All together, fourteen-thousand seven hundred died from the plague… in addition to those who died because of Cora. 50 And when Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance to the Tent of Proofs, the plague ended.
Chapter 17
1 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and said, 2 ‘Tell the children of Israel to have their leaders each bring a walking stick with them, one for each of the family lines – twelve walking sticks – and have them each write his name on his walking stick. 3 Then write Aaron’s name on the walking stick of Levi. Each tribe should provide these sticks for [the heads] of their family lines. 4 Then you must put them all inside the Tent of Proofs, before the Chest of Proofs, where I [meet with] you. 5 And whoever owns the walking stick that blooms is the man that I have chosen. This will bring an end to all the children of Israel’s grumbling to Me about you.’
6 So, Moses spoke to the children of Israel, and all their leaders gave him a walking stick, one for each of the heads of their family lines – twelve walking sticks – and Aaron’s walking stick was placed among them. 7 Then Moses laid the walking sticks before Jehovah inside the Tent of Proofs.
8 The next morning, when Moses and Aaron entered the Tent of Proofs, they saw that the walking stick of Aaron (from the tribe of Levi) had blossomed, putting out buds, blooms, and almonds. 9 Then Moses carried all the walking sticks that were before Jehovah out before the sons of Israel for them to see, and each [of the leaders] took his walking stick.
10 And Jehovah told Moses, ‘Now, place Aaron’s walking stick among the Proofs and keep it as a sign for these disobedient children. Then tell them to stop grumbling to Me, so they don’t die.’
11 And that’s what Moses and Aaron did. They did just as Jehovah commanded Moses.
12 Then [the leaders] of the children
of
Chapter 18
1 Then Jehovah spoke to Aaron and told him, ‘You, your sons, and your [tribe] will be guilty of any sins against the holy things, and you and your sons [are responsible for] your Priesthood. 2 So now, take your brothers from the tribe of Levi (the family line of your father), accept them as yours, and have them serve you and your sons before the Tent of Proofs. 3 They must obey you and follow your instructions regarding everything having to do with the Tent. However, they must not come near to the holy furnishings or to the Altar, so that they – and you – don’t die.
4 ‘They must
be joined to you and follow your instructions regarding the Tent of Proofs and all the services at
the Tent. But no one else may even approach you. 5 You alone are to give
instructions when it comes to the holy things and the Altar, and there
must be no more anger [about this] among the children of
7 ‘Now, you and your descendants must maintain your assigned positions as Priests, serving at the Altar and inside the veil, doing the things that are required. You must serve in the position of your Priesthood, and any [non-authorized] person who comes close to it must die.’
8 Then Jehovah told Aaron, ‘Look, I
have given you all the instructions regarding the first fruitage of everything
that is to be made perfect for Me by the children of
11 ‘And I am giving all the first
fruitage among the gifts – the wave-offerings of the children of
14 ‘Anything that the children of
20 Then Jehovah told Aaron, ‘You
aren’t going to receive an inheritance in that land, nor may
you own any part of it, for I am your portion and your inheritance in the midst
of the children of
22 ‘Now, the children of
25 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and
said, 26 ‘Speak to the Levites and tell them that when they receive the tithes
from the children of
30 ‘Tell them that whenever they
offer the first fruitage, the Levites must think of it as produce from a
threshing floor or from a wine press. 31 They and their families may eat it
anywhere, because this is their reward for serving at the Tent of Proofs. 32
They won’t sin by doing this, as long as they [set aside] a portion of the
first-fruitage and they don’t dirty the holy things of the children of
Chapter 19
1 Then Jehovah spoke to Moses and Aaron and said, 2 ‘This is a commandment of the Law that Jehovah has given you: Speak to the sons of Israel and tell them to bring you a perfect unspotted red heifer that has never worn a yoke, 3 then give her to EliEzer the Priest. Have them take her to a clean place outside the camp and slaughter it there before him.
4 ‘Then EliEzer must take some of her blood and sprinkle it in front of the Tent of Proofs seven times. 5 Thereafter, they must burn it to ashes before him, making sure that her skin, flesh, blood, and dung are totally consumed. 6 And the Priest must take some cedar wood, some hyssop, and some scarlet-colored wool, and throw it into the [fire] that is burning the heifer. 7 Then the Priest must wash his clothes, bathe in water, and go into the camp and remain unclean until the evening. 8 Also, whoever burns [the heifer] must wash his clothes, take a bath, and be unclean until evening.
9 ‘Then a clean man must gather up
the heifer’s ashes and lay them aside in a clean place outside the camp, to be
kept for the gathering of the children of Israel to
make a water to sprinkle for purification. 10 And the man that gathers up the
heifer’s ashes must wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. This is a
law for the children of
11 ‘Whoever
touches a human corpse must be unclean for seven days. 12 He must
then be purified both on the third day and on the seventh day, and then he will be
clean. But if he isn’t purged on the third and seventh days, he won’t be clean.
13 Also, anyone who touches the carcass of a man who has died and doesn’t get
purified, will dirty the Tent of Jehovah, so that
person must be cut off from
14 ‘This is also the law: Whenever a man dies inside a house, anyone who enters that house and everything in the house must be unclean for seven days. 15 All jars that are open and don’t have lids that are tightly sealed must be unclean. 16 Also, anyone who touches a man that was murdered, or a cadaver, or a human bone, or a tomb, must be unclean for seven days.
17 ‘They must take the burnt ashes of purification and pour them into a jar with running water to make the purifying [water]. 18 Then a clean man must take [a branch] of hyssop and dip it into the water, and sprinkle the house, the furniture, and all the people who are there who have touched the human bone, or the murdered man, or the cadaver, or the tomb. 19 The clean man must sprinkle it on the unclean people on the third and seventh days. Then on the seventh day, he must purify himself, wash his clothes, take a bath, and be unclean until evening.
20 ‘Any man who has become unclean and chooses not to purify himself must be cut off from among the gathering, because he has dirtied the holy things of Jehovah… if the cleansing water hasn’t been sprinkled on him, he remains unclean.
21 ‘And it is the law through the ages that whoever sprinkles the water of purification must wash his clothes; and whoever even touches the water must be unclean until evening. 22 Also, everything that an unclean man touches must be unclean, and anyone who touches [that thing] must be unclean until evening.’
Chapter 20
1 It was during the first month that
the people (the whole gathering of the children of
2 However, there was no water in that
place, so all the people came to Moses and Aaron, 3 and they started shouting
at Moses, saying, ‘We would rather have died when our brothers were destroyed
before Jehovah! 4 So, why have you brought the gathering of Jehovah into this
desert… to kill us along with our cattle? 5 Just what kind of a place is this?
You brought us out of
6 Then Moses and Aaron went to the entrance of the Tent of Proofs and stood before the people, and [they both] fell to their faces. Then the glory of Jehovah appeared to them. 7 And He spoke to Moses, saying, 8 ‘Call an assembly, then take your walking stick, and you and your brother Aaron must call out to the rock that stands before them, and it will give you its water. You must bring the water out of the rock for them and give it to the gathering and their cattle to drink.’
9 So, Moses took his walking stick that was there before Jehovah, just as Jehovah had commanded him, 10 and Moses and Aaron assembled the gathering in front of the rock. Then he said to them, ‘Listen to me, you rebels; must we bring water for you out of this rock?’
11 Then Moses raised his hand and hit the rock with his rod twice, and water came gushing out; so the gathering and their cattle drank.
12 Then Jehovah said to Moses and
Aaron, ‘Because you didn’t believe Me enough to
mention Me before the children of
14 Then Moses sent messengers from Cades to the king of
Edom, and said, ‘Thus is what your brother Israel is saying: You know all
the hard times we’ve seen, 15 and how our fathers went down to Egypt and of the
many [years] that we spent there, and how the Egyptians oppressed us and our
fathers. 16 Well, when we called out to Jehovah, He heard our voice and sent
His messenger who brought us out of
‘And now we are in the city of
18 But the Edomites replied, ‘You may not pass through [our land], for if you do, we will go to war against you.’
19 Then the children of
20 But [the Edomites] replied, ‘You may not pass through [our land].’
Then the Edomites came out to meet
them with a huge, well-armed army, 21 and they refused to allow
23 It was while they were at Mount Or (on the border of the
27 So, Moses did just as Jehovah
commanded him. He took them up
Well, when Moses and EliEzer walked down
the mountain, 29 the gathering realized that Aaron was dead. Then the whole
house of
Chapter 21
1 And