Thematic Bible: Return to the plains of moab
Thematic Bible
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Joshua ordered to cross jordan
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Balak sends for balaam
He sent messengers to summon Balaam, son of Beor, who was at Pethor, on the Euphrates River, in the land where his people lived. Balak's message was: A nation has just come here from Egypt. They have spread out all over the countryside and are setting up their camp here in front of me. They outnumber us, so please come and put a curse on them for me. Then maybe we will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. I know that when you pronounce a blessing, people are blessed, and when you pronounce a curse, they are placed under a curse.
Balak sent a larger group of more highly respected princes. When they came to Balaam they said to him: This is what Balak son of Zippor says: 'Do not let anything keep you from coming to me. I will make sure you are richly rewarded. I will do whatever you ask. Please, come and curse (execrate) these people for me.'
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » All formerly numbered over twenty years old, except caleb and joshua, dead
Moses and the priest Eleazar added up the total number of Israelites on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho. Not a single one of the Israelites Moses and the priest Aaron had counted in the Desert of Sinai were there. Jehovah said: They must all die in the desert wilderness. The only ones left were Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
Your bodies will drop dead in this desert. All of you who are at least twenty years old, who were registered and listed, and who complained about me will die.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Israel seduced to idolatry, &c by advice of balaam
I have a few things against you: you have people there who hold to the teachings of Balaam, who taught Balak to present a snare to the sons of Israel, to eat of idol sacrifices and commit fornication.
While Israel remained at Shittim, the people indulged in sexual immorality with the Moabite women. The Moabites invited the people to the sacrifices of their gods. The people ate and bowed down to their gods. So Israel joined itself to Baal of Peor. Jehovah was angry against Israel.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » The law of female inheritance settled
Zelophehad, son of Hepher, grandson of Gilead, descendant of Machir, whose father was Manasseh, belonged to the families of Manasseh, son of Joseph. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They came to Moses and stood in front of him, the priest Eleazar, the leaders, and the entire congregation at the entrance to the tent of meeting. They said: Our father died in the desert. He was not a part of Korah's followers who joined forces against Jehovah. He died for his own sin and left no sons. read more.
Why should our father's name be allowed to die out in his family because he had no son? Give us property among our father's relatives. So Moses brought their case to Jehovah. Jehovah said to him: Zelophehad's daughters are right. You must give them property of their own among their father's relatives. Turn their father's property over to them. Tell the Israelites: 'If a man dies and leaves no sons, turn his property over to his daughters. If he has no daughters give his property to his brothers. If he has no brothers give his property to his uncles on his father's side of the family. If he has no uncles, give his property to the nearest relative in his family. That relative will take possession of it. This will be a rule for the Israelites, as Jehovah commanded Moses.'
Why should our father's name be allowed to die out in his family because he had no son? Give us property among our father's relatives. So Moses brought their case to Jehovah. Jehovah said to him: Zelophehad's daughters are right. You must give them property of their own among their father's relatives. Turn their father's property over to them. Tell the Israelites: 'If a man dies and leaves no sons, turn his property over to his daughters. If he has no daughters give his property to his brothers. If he has no brothers give his property to his uncles on his father's side of the family. If he has no uncles, give his property to the nearest relative in his family. That relative will take possession of it. This will be a rule for the Israelites, as Jehovah commanded Moses.'
The heads of the families in the clan of Gilead the son of Machir and grandson of Manasseh son of Joseph, went to Moses and the other leaders. They said: Jehovah commanded you to distribute the land to the people of Israel by drawing lots. He also commanded you to give the property of our relative Zelophehad to his daughters. Remember, if they marry men of another tribe, their property will then belong to that tribe, and the total allotted to us will be reduced. read more.
During the Year of Restoration, when all property that has been sold is restored to its original owners, the property of Zelophehad's daughters will be permanently added to the tribe into which they marry and will be lost to our tribe. So Moses gave the people of Israel the following command from Jehovah. He said: What the tribe of Manasseh says is right, and so Jehovah says that the daughters of Zelophehad are free to marry anyone they wish but only within their own tribe. The property of every Israelite will remain attached to his tribe. Every woman who inherits property in an Israelite tribe must marry a man belonging to that tribe. In this way all Israelites will inherit the property of their ancestors, and the property will not pass from one tribe to another. Each tribe will continue to possess its own property.
During the Year of Restoration, when all property that has been sold is restored to its original owners, the property of Zelophehad's daughters will be permanently added to the tribe into which they marry and will be lost to our tribe. So Moses gave the people of Israel the following command from Jehovah. He said: What the tribe of Manasseh says is right, and so Jehovah says that the daughters of Zelophehad are free to marry anyone they wish but only within their own tribe. The property of every Israelite will remain attached to his tribe. Every woman who inherits property in an Israelite tribe must marry a man belonging to that tribe. In this way all Israelites will inherit the property of their ancestors, and the property will not pass from one tribe to another. Each tribe will continue to possess its own property.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Balaam not permitted to curse israel
God came to Balaam and asked: Who are these men with you? Balaam answered: Balak, son of King Zippor of Moab, sent them with this message: Some people came from Egypt and are spreading out all over the countryside. Now come and curse them for me. Maybe I will be able to fight them and force them out. read more.
God said to Balaam: Do not go with them! Do not curse these people. They are blessed! When Balaam got up in the morning, he said to Balak's princes: Go back to your own country. Jehovah has refused to let me go with you. The Moabite princes went back to Balak and said: Balaam refused to come with us. Balak sent a larger group of more highly respected princes. When they came to Balaam they said to him: This is what Balak son of Zippor says: 'Do not let anything keep you from coming to me. I will make sure you are richly rewarded. I will do whatever you ask. Please, come and curse (execrate) these people for me.' Balaam answered Balak's servants: Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not disobey the command of Jehovah my God no matter whether the request was important or not. Now, please stay here tonight, as the others did, and I will find out what else Jehovah may have to tell me. That night God came to Balaam and said: If these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you. Balaam got up in the morning and saddled his donkey and left with the Moabite princes. God became angry that he was going. So the angel of Jehovah stood in the road to stop him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, accompanied by his two servants. The donkey saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the road with his sword drawn. The donkey turned off the road into a field. Balaam hit the donkey to get it back on the road. Where the road went through the vineyards, it was narrow, with stonewalls on both sides. Now the angel of Jehovah stood there. The donkey saw the angel and it moved over against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against it. Again Balaam beat the donkey. Once more the angel moved ahead. He stood in a narrow place where there was no room at all to pass on either side. This time, when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down. Balaam lost his temper and began to beat the donkey with his stick. Jehovah gave the donkey the power of speech. The donkey said to Balaam: What have I done to you? Why have you beaten me these three times? Balaam answered: It is because you have made a fool of me! If I had a sword, I would kill you. The donkey replied: Am I not the same donkey on which you have ridden all your life? Have I ever treated you like this before? No, he answered. Then Jehovah let Balaam see the angel standing there with his sword. Balaam threw himself face down on the ground. The angel demanded: Why have you beaten your donkey three times like this? I have come to bar your way, because you should not be making this journey. But your donkey saw me and turned aside three times. If it had not, I would have killed you and spared the donkey. Balaam replied: I have sinned. I did not know that you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you think it is wrong for me to go on I will return home. But the angel said: Go on with these men, but say only what I tell you to say. Thus Balaam went on with them. Balak heard that Balaam was coming. He went to meet him at Ar, a city on the Arnon River at the border of Moab. Balak said to him: Why did you not come when I sent for you the first time? Did you think I was not able to reward you enough? Balaam answered: I am here now. But now, what power do I have? I can say only what God tells me to say. Balaam went with Balak to the town of Huzoth. Balak slaughtered cattle and sheep and gave some of the meat to Balaam and the leaders who were with him. The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, from where Balaam could see a part of the people of Israel.
God said to Balaam: Do not go with them! Do not curse these people. They are blessed! When Balaam got up in the morning, he said to Balak's princes: Go back to your own country. Jehovah has refused to let me go with you. The Moabite princes went back to Balak and said: Balaam refused to come with us. Balak sent a larger group of more highly respected princes. When they came to Balaam they said to him: This is what Balak son of Zippor says: 'Do not let anything keep you from coming to me. I will make sure you are richly rewarded. I will do whatever you ask. Please, come and curse (execrate) these people for me.' Balaam answered Balak's servants: Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not disobey the command of Jehovah my God no matter whether the request was important or not. Now, please stay here tonight, as the others did, and I will find out what else Jehovah may have to tell me. That night God came to Balaam and said: If these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you. Balaam got up in the morning and saddled his donkey and left with the Moabite princes. God became angry that he was going. So the angel of Jehovah stood in the road to stop him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, accompanied by his two servants. The donkey saw the angel of Jehovah standing in the road with his sword drawn. The donkey turned off the road into a field. Balaam hit the donkey to get it back on the road. Where the road went through the vineyards, it was narrow, with stonewalls on both sides. Now the angel of Jehovah stood there. The donkey saw the angel and it moved over against the wall and crushed Balaam's foot against it. Again Balaam beat the donkey. Once more the angel moved ahead. He stood in a narrow place where there was no room at all to pass on either side. This time, when the donkey saw the angel, it lay down. Balaam lost his temper and began to beat the donkey with his stick. Jehovah gave the donkey the power of speech. The donkey said to Balaam: What have I done to you? Why have you beaten me these three times? Balaam answered: It is because you have made a fool of me! If I had a sword, I would kill you. The donkey replied: Am I not the same donkey on which you have ridden all your life? Have I ever treated you like this before? No, he answered. Then Jehovah let Balaam see the angel standing there with his sword. Balaam threw himself face down on the ground. The angel demanded: Why have you beaten your donkey three times like this? I have come to bar your way, because you should not be making this journey. But your donkey saw me and turned aside three times. If it had not, I would have killed you and spared the donkey. Balaam replied: I have sinned. I did not know that you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you think it is wrong for me to go on I will return home. But the angel said: Go on with these men, but say only what I tell you to say. Thus Balaam went on with them. Balak heard that Balaam was coming. He went to meet him at Ar, a city on the Arnon River at the border of Moab. Balak said to him: Why did you not come when I sent for you the first time? Did you think I was not able to reward you enough? Balaam answered: I am here now. But now, what power do I have? I can say only what God tells me to say. Balaam went with Balak to the town of Huzoth. Balak slaughtered cattle and sheep and gave some of the meat to Balaam and the leaders who were with him. The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, from where Balaam could see a part of the people of Israel.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab
The Israelites moved and set up camp across from Jericho. They were on the plains of Moab east of the Jordan River.
They moved from the Abarim Mountains and set up camp on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho. They set up camp on the plains of Moab along the Jordan. Their camp extended from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Midianites destroyed and balaam slain
Treat the Midianites as your enemies, and kill them! This is because they treated you as enemies. They plotted to trick you in the incident that took place at Peor. They used their sister Cozbi, daughter of a Midianite leader, who was killed on the day of the plague caused by the incident at Peor.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Israel punished
Twenty-four thousand people died from that plague.
Moses said to the judges of Israel: Each of you put to death those men who have joined in worshiping Baal of Peor.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Moses dies and is buried
Moses the servant of Jehovah died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of Jehovah. He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor. No man knows his burial place to this day.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Moses beholds canaan
Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. Jehovah showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan, and all Naphtali and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah as far as the western sea, and the Negev and the plain in the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, as far as Zoar. read more.
Jehovah said: This is the land that I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying: I will give it to your descendants. I let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.
Jehovah said: This is the land that I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying: I will give it to your descendants. I let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » The law written by moses
Moses wrote this Law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi who carried the Ark of the Covenant of Jehovah, and to all the elders of Israel.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Appointment of joshua
Moses prayed: O Jehovah our God, source of all life, appoint, I pray, a man who can lead the people and can command them in battle. Do not allow your congregation to be like sheep without a shepherd. read more.
Jehovah said to Moses: Take Joshua son of Nun, a capable man, and place your hands on his head. Have him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the entire congregation, and there before them all proclaim him as your successor. Give him some of your authority, so that the whole congregation of Israel will obey him. He will depend on Eleazar the priest, who will learn my will by using the Urim and Thummim. In this way Eleazar will direct Joshua and the whole congregation of Israel in all their affairs. Moses did as Jehovah commanded him. He had Joshua stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation. Moses put his hands on Joshua's head and proclaimed him as his successor, just as Jehovah proclaimed.
Jehovah said to Moses: Take Joshua son of Nun, a capable man, and place your hands on his head. Have him stand in front of Eleazar the priest and the entire congregation, and there before them all proclaim him as your successor. Give him some of your authority, so that the whole congregation of Israel will obey him. He will depend on Eleazar the priest, who will learn my will by using the Urim and Thummim. In this way Eleazar will direct Joshua and the whole congregation of Israel in all their affairs. Moses did as Jehovah commanded him. He had Joshua stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole congregation. Moses put his hands on Joshua's head and proclaimed him as his successor, just as Jehovah proclaimed.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » The law rehearsed
It was the fortieth year, eleventh month, on the first day of the month. Moses spoke to the children of Israel, according to all the commandments Jehovah (YHWH) gave him for them.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Third numbering
After the plague Jehovah said to Moses and Eleazar son of the priest Aaron: Take a census of the entire congregation of Israel by households. List those who are at least twenty years old and eligible for military duty. Moses and the priest Eleazar spoke to the Israelites on the plains of Moab near the Jordan River across from Jericho. They said: read more.
Take a census of those at least twenty years old, as Jehovah commanded Moses. These are the Israelites who came from Egypt: Reuben was Israel's firstborn. The descendants of Reuben were the family of Hanoch, the family of Pallu, the family of Hezron, and the family of Carmi. These were the families of Reuben. The total number of men was forty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty. Eliab was the son of Pallu, and Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram were the sons of Eliab. It was Dathan and Abiram, men chosen by the community, who defied Moses and Aaron's authority. They joined Korah's followers when they defied Jehovah's authority. The ground opened up and swallowed them along with Korah. They and their followers died when the fire consumed the two hundred and fifty men. This was a warning. The descendants of Korah did not die. The families descended from Simeon were the family of Nemuel, the family of Jamin, the family of Jakin, the family of Zerah, and the family of Shaul. These were the families of Simeon. The total number of men was twenty-two thousand two hundred. The families descended from Gad were the family of Zephon, the family of Haggi, the family of Shuni, the family of Ozni, the family of Eri, the family of Arodi, and the family of Areli. These were the families of Gad's descendants. The total number of men was forty thousand five hundred. Er and Onan were sons of Judah, but they died in Canaan. The families descended from Judah were the family of Shelah, the family of Perez, and the family of Zerah. The descendants of Perez were the family of Hezron and the family of Hamul. These were the families of Judah. The total number of men was seventy-six thousand five hundred. The families descended from Issachar were the family of Tola, the family of Puah, the family of Jashub, and the family of Shimron. These were the families of Issachar. The total number of men was sixty-four thousand three hundred. The families descended from Zebulun were the family of Sered, the family of Elon, and the family of Jahleel. These were the families of Zebulun. The total number of men was sixty thousand five hundred. The families descended from Joseph through Manasseh and Ephraim were from Manasseh the family of Machir who was the father of Gilead and the family of Gilead. The descendants of Gilead were the family of Iezer, the family of Helek, the family of Asriel, the family of Shechem, the family of Shemida, and the family of Hepher. Zelophehad, son of Hepher, had no sons-only daughters. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These were the families of Manasseh. The total number of men was fifty-two thousand seven hundred. The families descended from Ephraim were the family of Shuthelah, the family of Beker, and the family of Tahan. The descendants of Shuthelah were the family of Eran. These were the families of Ephraim's descendants. The total number of men was thirty-two thousand five hundred. These were the families descended from Joseph. The families descended from Benjamin were the family of Bela, the family of Ashbel, the family of Ahiram, the family of Shupham, and the family of Hupham. The descendants of Bela through Ard and Naaman were the family of Ard and the family of Naaman. These were the families descended from Benjamin. The total number of men was forty-five thousand six hundred. The family descended from Dan was the family of Shuham. This was the family descended from Dan. The total number of men in all the family of Shuham was sixty-four thousand four hundred. The families descended from Asher were the family of Imnah, the family of Ishvi, and the family of Beriah. The descendants of Beriah were the family of Heber and the family of Malchiel. Asher had a daughter named Serah. These were the families of Asher's descendants. The total number of men was fifty-three thousand four hundred. The families descended from Naphtali were the family of Jahzeel, the family of Guni, the family of Jezer, and the family of Shillem. These were the families of Naphtali. The total number of men was forty-five thousand four hundred. The total number of Israelite men was six hundred and one thousand seven hundred and thirty. Jehovah said to Moses: Use the list of names from the census to divide the land these people will possess. Give more land to larger tribes and less land to smaller ones. Use the totals from the census in giving land to each tribe. The land must also be divided by drawing lots. The tribes will receive their land based on the names of their ancestors. Whether the tribes are large or small, the land must be divided by drawing lots. The families descended from Levi were listed as the family of Gershon, the family of Kohath, and the family of Merari. These were the families of Levi: the Libnite family, the Hebronite family, the Mahlite family, the Mushite family, and the Korahite family. Kohath was the ancestor of Amram. The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, a descendant of Levi, who was born in Egypt. She gave birth to Amram's children: Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam. Aaron was the father of Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died because they offered unauthorized fire in Jehovah's presence. The total number of all the Levite males at least one month old was twenty-three thousand. They were not counted along with the other Israelites, because they were given no land of their own.
Take a census of those at least twenty years old, as Jehovah commanded Moses. These are the Israelites who came from Egypt: Reuben was Israel's firstborn. The descendants of Reuben were the family of Hanoch, the family of Pallu, the family of Hezron, and the family of Carmi. These were the families of Reuben. The total number of men was forty-three thousand seven hundred and thirty. Eliab was the son of Pallu, and Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram were the sons of Eliab. It was Dathan and Abiram, men chosen by the community, who defied Moses and Aaron's authority. They joined Korah's followers when they defied Jehovah's authority. The ground opened up and swallowed them along with Korah. They and their followers died when the fire consumed the two hundred and fifty men. This was a warning. The descendants of Korah did not die. The families descended from Simeon were the family of Nemuel, the family of Jamin, the family of Jakin, the family of Zerah, and the family of Shaul. These were the families of Simeon. The total number of men was twenty-two thousand two hundred. The families descended from Gad were the family of Zephon, the family of Haggi, the family of Shuni, the family of Ozni, the family of Eri, the family of Arodi, and the family of Areli. These were the families of Gad's descendants. The total number of men was forty thousand five hundred. Er and Onan were sons of Judah, but they died in Canaan. The families descended from Judah were the family of Shelah, the family of Perez, and the family of Zerah. The descendants of Perez were the family of Hezron and the family of Hamul. These were the families of Judah. The total number of men was seventy-six thousand five hundred. The families descended from Issachar were the family of Tola, the family of Puah, the family of Jashub, and the family of Shimron. These were the families of Issachar. The total number of men was sixty-four thousand three hundred. The families descended from Zebulun were the family of Sered, the family of Elon, and the family of Jahleel. These were the families of Zebulun. The total number of men was sixty thousand five hundred. The families descended from Joseph through Manasseh and Ephraim were from Manasseh the family of Machir who was the father of Gilead and the family of Gilead. The descendants of Gilead were the family of Iezer, the family of Helek, the family of Asriel, the family of Shechem, the family of Shemida, and the family of Hepher. Zelophehad, son of Hepher, had no sons-only daughters. Their names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These were the families of Manasseh. The total number of men was fifty-two thousand seven hundred. The families descended from Ephraim were the family of Shuthelah, the family of Beker, and the family of Tahan. The descendants of Shuthelah were the family of Eran. These were the families of Ephraim's descendants. The total number of men was thirty-two thousand five hundred. These were the families descended from Joseph. The families descended from Benjamin were the family of Bela, the family of Ashbel, the family of Ahiram, the family of Shupham, and the family of Hupham. The descendants of Bela through Ard and Naaman were the family of Ard and the family of Naaman. These were the families descended from Benjamin. The total number of men was forty-five thousand six hundred. The family descended from Dan was the family of Shuham. This was the family descended from Dan. The total number of men in all the family of Shuham was sixty-four thousand four hundred. The families descended from Asher were the family of Imnah, the family of Ishvi, and the family of Beriah. The descendants of Beriah were the family of Heber and the family of Malchiel. Asher had a daughter named Serah. These were the families of Asher's descendants. The total number of men was fifty-three thousand four hundred. The families descended from Naphtali were the family of Jahzeel, the family of Guni, the family of Jezer, and the family of Shillem. These were the families of Naphtali. The total number of men was forty-five thousand four hundred. The total number of Israelite men was six hundred and one thousand seven hundred and thirty. Jehovah said to Moses: Use the list of names from the census to divide the land these people will possess. Give more land to larger tribes and less land to smaller ones. Use the totals from the census in giving land to each tribe. The land must also be divided by drawing lots. The tribes will receive their land based on the names of their ancestors. Whether the tribes are large or small, the land must be divided by drawing lots. The families descended from Levi were listed as the family of Gershon, the family of Kohath, and the family of Merari. These were the families of Levi: the Libnite family, the Hebronite family, the Mahlite family, the Mushite family, and the Korahite family. Kohath was the ancestor of Amram. The name of Amram's wife was Jochebed, a descendant of Levi, who was born in Egypt. She gave birth to Amram's children: Aaron, Moses, and their sister Miriam. Aaron was the father of Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died because they offered unauthorized fire in Jehovah's presence. The total number of all the Levite males at least one month old was twenty-three thousand. They were not counted along with the other Israelites, because they were given no land of their own.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Joshua ordered to cross jordan
Moses my servant is dead. Arise and cross over the Jordan River. Take the people into the land given to them, even to the children of Israel.
journey of israel through the Desert » Return to the plains of moab » Two spies sent to jericho
Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly. He said: Go view the land of Jericho. They went to a prostitute named Rahab, and stayed at her house.