Main Characters
Remains central character of Numbers. One who orders his covenant world.
Who is God (Yahweh)?
Collectively functions as one of the book's principal characters. Redeemed, sanctified, and organized around Yahweh's dwelling, yet keeps failing to trust him and to take the given identity.
Who are the Israelites?
Emerges as one of the book's most faithful figures. Was one of the twelve spies. Becomes appointed leader of the generation that will inherit what the Exodus generation forfeited.
Who is Joshua son of Nun?
Twelve men chosen to inspect Canaan beginning as representatives of Israel's tribal leadership. All see the same fertile land, formidable inhabitants, and fortified cities.
Who are the 12 Tribal leaders who reconnoiter Canaan?
An instrument of prophetic irony. Sees the angel of Yahweh while the professional seer remains blind. Unexpectedly talks...
Who is Balaam's Donkey?
Continues as Israel's principal leader, prophet, mediator, intercessor, and teacher. Has a unique relationship with Yahweh that is expressed by Numbers as "mouth to mouth".
Who is Moses?
Appointed to share Moses' overwhelming leadership burden.
Who are the Seventy Elders?
Gradually emerges as Aaron's successor and Israel's future high priest. Stands with Joshua at his commissioning. Receives Aaron's priestly garments.
Who is Eleazar son of Aaron?
Group that becomes paradigmatic examples of faithless leadership. Their speech transforms the fear of a small group into the rebellion of an entire community.
Who are the 10 unfaithful spies?
Fearful and calculating ruler who recognizes that ordinary military opposition may not stop Israel. Manipulator.
Who is Balak king of Moab?
Serves as Israel's high priest and chief representative of the Aaronide priesthood. Numbers increasingly portrays this person's office not merely as privilege but as dangerous, burden-bearing responsibility.
Who is Aaron?
Occupy and especially prominent place as guardians of the sanctuary and assistant to the Aaronide priests.
Who are the Levites?
One of the most complex characters in Numbers. A foreign diviner with genuine access to divine revelation. Often can only speak the word put on their tongue by Yahweh.
Who is Balaam son of Beor?
Reunite leaders whose opposition differs from Korah's priestly challenge. Reject Moses' summons, accuse him of failed political leadership, describe Egypt with the language of the promised land, and claimed he only brought Israel out to rule it and destroy it.
Who are Dathan and Abiram?
Midianite woman and the daughter of a prominent Midianite leader. Has public appearance with Zimri. Private participant in sexual immorality and a visible representative of the foreign religious influence drawing Israel into allegiance to Baal.
Who is Cozbi daughter of Zur?
Principal theological leader of the rebellion against Moses and Aaron. Rebellion becomes the occasion for Yahweh to vindicate publicly His sovereign ordering of holiness.
Who is Korah?
People who get bitten by the serpents after speaking against God and Moses. A bronze serpent is provided by Yahweh for these people.
Who are the Israelites afflicted by the Fiery Serpents?
Exemplifies courageous trust and wholehearted allegiance to Yahweh. Trust's Yahweh's promise above the strength of Canaan's inhabitants or the size of its cities.
Who is Caleb son of Jephunneh?
Who are Eldad and Medad?
A Simeonite leader whose brazen conduct at Peor embodies covenant rebellion within Israel's leadership. Publicly brings Cozbi into camp before Moses and entire assembly.
Who is Zimri son of Salu?
First great king defeated by the emerging generation east of the Jordan. Israel requested peaceful passage but this person refuses and attacks.
Who is Sihon King of the Amorites?
Tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh emerge collectively in the book's closing chapters as representatives of covenant responsibility within Israel's tribal unity.
Who are the Transjordan Tribes?
Emerges as the exemplary priestly figure of the book's later chapters. Yahweh grants him "My covenant of peace," which He immediately defines as a covenant of perpetual priesthood for him and his descendants.
Who is Phinehas son of Eleazar?
Appear in two book's most important legal narratives. Their father died without sons, so they petition Moses, Eleazar, the leaders, and the congregation for an inheritance among their father's brothers. Become exemplary agents of legal clarification, covenant initiative, justice, and trust in the promised inheritance.
Appears as a prophetess, and influential leader, and a member of Moses' own family (sister).
Who is Miriam?