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Numbers 6

Laws Concerning Nazirites.

1The LORD said to Moses:

2Speak to the Israelites and tell them: When men or women solemnly take the nazirite^* vow to dedicate themselves to the LORD,

3they shall abstain from wine and strong drink;^a they may neither drink wine vinegar, other vinegar, or any kind of grape juice, nor eat either fresh or dried grapes.

4As long as they are nazirites they shall not eat anything of the produce of the grapevine; not even the seeds or the skins.

5While they are under the nazirite vow, no razor shall touch their hair.^b Until the period of their dedication to the LORD is over, they shall be holy, letting the hair of their heads grow freely.

6As long as they are dedicated to the LORD, they shall not come near a dead person.^c

7Not even for their father or mother, sister or brother, should they defile themselves, when these die, since their heads bear their dedication to God.

8As long as they are nazirites they are holy to the LORD.

9If someone dies very suddenly in their presence, defiling their dedicated heads, they shall shave their heads on the day of their purification, that is, on the seventh day.

10On the eighth day they shall bring two turtledoves or two pigeons to the priest at the entrance of the tent of meeting.

11The priest shall offer up the one as a purification offering and the other as a burnt offering, thus making atonement for them for the sin they committed with respect to the corpse. On the same day they shall reconsecrate their heads

12and rededicate themselves to the LORD for the period of their dedication, bringing a yearling lamb as a reparation offering. The previous period is not valid, because they defiled their dedicated heads.

13This is the ritual for the nazirites:^d When the period of their dedication is complete they shall go to the entrance of the tent of meeting,

14bringing their offerings to the LORD, one unblemished yearling lamb for a burnt offering, one unblemished yearling ewe lamb for a purification offering, one unblemished ram as a communion offering,

15and a basket of unleavened cakes of bran flour mixed with oil and of unleavened wafers spread with oil, along with their grain offerings and libations.

16The priest shall present them before the LORD, and shall offer up the purification offering and the burnt offering for them.

17He shall then offer up the ram as a communion sacrifice to the LORD, along with the basket of unleavened cakes, and the priest will offer the grain offering and libation.

18Then at the entrance of the tent of meeting the nazirite shall shave his or her dedicated head, take the hair of the dedicated head, and put it in the fire under the communion sacrifice.

19After the nazirite has shaved off the dedicated hair, the priest shall take a boiled shoulder of the ram, as well as one unleavened cake from the basket and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them in the hands of the nazirite.

20The priest shall then elevate them as an elevated offering before the LORD. They are an offering belonging to the priest, along with the brisket of the elevated offering and the leg of the contribution. Only after this may the nazirite drink wine.

21This, then, is the law for the nazirites, that is, what they vow as their offering to the LORD in accord with their dedication, apart from anything else which their means may allow. In keeping with the vow they take so shall they do, according to the law of their dedication.

The Priestly Blessing.

22The LORD said to Moses:

23Speak to Aaron and his sons and tell them: This is how you shall bless the Israelites. Say to them:

24The LORD bless you and keep you!

25The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!

26The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!^*

27So shall they invoke my name upon the Israelites, and I will bless them.

Numbers 7

Offerings of the Tribal Leaders.

1Now, when Moses had completed the erection of the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it with all its equipment,^a as well as the altar with all its equipment. After he anointed and consecrated them,

2an offering was made by the tribal leaders of Israel, who were heads of ancestral houses, the same leaders of the tribes who supervised those enrolled.

3The offering they brought before the LORD consisted of six wagons for baggage and twelve oxen, that is, a wagon for every two tribal leaders, and an ox for each. These they presented before the tabernacle.

4The LORD then said to Moses:

5Accept their offering, that these things may be put to use to maintain the tent of meeting. Assign them to the Levites, to each according to his duties.

6So Moses accepted the wagons and oxen, and assigned them to the Levites.

7He gave two wagons and four oxen to the Gershonites^b according to their duties,

8and four wagons and eight oxen to the Merarites according to their duties, under the supervision of Ithamar, son of Aaron the priest.

9He gave none to the Kohathites, because they were responsible for maintenance of the sacred objects that had to be carried on their shoulders.^c

10For the dedication of the altar also, the tribal leaders brought offerings when it was anointed;^d the leaders presented their offering before the altar.

11But the LORD said to Moses: Let one leader each day present his offering for the dedication of the altar.

12^* The one who presented his offering on the first day was Nahshon, son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah.

13His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

14one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

15one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

16one goat for a purification offering;

17and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Nahshon, son of Amminadab.

18On the second day Nethanel, son of Zuar, tribal leader of Issachar, made his offering.

19He presented as his offering one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

20one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

21one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

22one goat for a purification offering;

23and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Nethanel, son of Zuar.

24On the third day it was the turn of the tribal leader of the Zebulunites, Eliab, son of Helon.

25His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

26one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

27one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

28one goat for a purification offering;

29and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Eliab, son of Helon.

30On the fourth day it was the turn of the tribal leader of the Reubenites, Elizur, son of Shedeur.

31His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

32one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

33one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

34one goat for a purification offering;

35and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Elizur, son of Shedeur.

36On the fifth day it was the turn of the tribal leader of the Simeonites, Shelumiel, son of Zurishaddai.

37His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

38one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

39one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

40one goat for a purification offering;

41and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Shelumiel, son of Zurishaddai.

42On the sixth day it was the turn of the tribal leader of the Gadites, Eliasaph, son of Reuel.

43His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

44one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

45one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

46one goat for a purification offering;

47and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Eliasaph, son of Reuel.

48On the seventh day it was the turn of the tribal leader of the Ephraimites, Elishama, son of Ammihud.

49His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

50one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

51one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

52one goat for a purification offering;

53and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Elishama, son of Ammihud.

54On the eighth day it was the turn of the tribal leader of the Manassites, Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur.

55His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

56one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

57one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

58one goat for a purification offering;

59and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Gamaliel, son of Pedahzur.

60On the ninth day it was the turn of the tribal leader of the Benjaminites, Abidan, son of Gideoni.

61His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

62one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

63one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

64one goat for a purification offering;

65and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Abidan, son of Gideoni.

66On the tenth day it was the turn of the tribal leader of the Danites, Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai.

67His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

68one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

69one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

70one goat for a purification offering;

71and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Ahiezer, son of Ammishaddai.

72On the eleventh day it was the turn of the tribal leader of the Asherites, Pagiel, son of Ochran.

73His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing one hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

74one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

75one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

76one goat for a purification offering;

77and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Pagiel, son of Ochran.

78On the twelfth day it was the turn of the tribal leader of the Naphtalites, Ahira, son of Enan.

79His offering consisted of one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver basin weighing seventy shekels according to the sanctuary shekel, both filled with bran flour mixed with oil for a grain offering;

80one gold cup of ten shekels’ weight filled with incense;

81one bull from the herd, one ram, and one yearling lamb for a burnt offering;

82one goat for a purification offering;

83and two bulls, five rams, five he-goats, and five yearling lambs for a communion sacrifice. This was the offering of Ahira, son of Enan.

84These were the offerings for the dedication of the altar, given by the tribal leaders of Israel on the occasion of its anointing: twelve silver plates, twelve silver basins, and twelve gold cups.

85Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each silver basin seventy, so that all the silver of these vessels amounted to two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the sanctuary shekel.

86The twelve gold cups that were filled with incense weighed ten shekels apiece, according to the sanctuary shekel, so that all the gold of the cups amounted to one hundred and twenty shekels.

87The animals for the burnt offerings were, in all, twelve bulls, twelve rams, and twelve yearling lambs, with their grain offerings; those for the purification offerings were twelve goats.

88The animals for the communion sacrifices were, in all, twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty he-goats, and sixty yearling lambs. These, then, were the offerings for the dedication of the altar after it was anointed.

The Voice.

89When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with God, he heard the voice addressing him from above the cover^e on the ark of the covenant, from between the two cherubim; and so it spoke to him.

Romans 14

To Live and Die for Christ.

1^* Welcome anyone who is weak in faith,^a but not for disputes over opinions.^b

2One person believes that one may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.^c

3The one who eats must not despise the one who abstains, and the one who abstains must not pass judgment on the one who eats; for God has welcomed him.^d

4Who are you to pass judgment on someone else’s servant? Before his own master he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.^e

5[For] one person considers one day more important than another, while another person considers all days alike.^f Let everyone be fully persuaded in his own mind.^*

6Whoever observes the day, observes it for the Lord. Also whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; while whoever abstains, abstains for the Lord and gives thanks to God.

7None of us lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself.

8For if we live, we live for the Lord,^* and if we die, we die for the Lord; so then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.^g

9For this is why Christ died and came to life, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.^h

10Why then do you judge your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;ⁱ

11for it is written:

“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bend before me,

and every tongue shall give praise to God.”^j

12So [then] each of us shall give an account of himself [to God].^k

Consideration for the Weak Conscience.

13Then let us no longer judge one another, but rather resolve never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.^l

14I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; still, it is unclean for someone who thinks it unclean.^m

15If your brother is being hurt by what you eat, your conduct is no longer in accord with love. Do not because of your food destroy him for whom Christ died.ⁿ

16So do not let your good be reviled.^o

17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the holy Spirit;^p

18whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by others.

19Let us^* then pursue what leads to peace and to building up one another.^q

20For the sake of food, do not destroy the work of God.^r Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to become a stumbling block by eating;

21it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.

22Keep the faith [that] you have to yourself in the presence of God; blessed is the one who does not condemn himself for what he approves.

23^s But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because this is not from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.^*

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The complete Book of Numbers

THE BOOK OF NUMBERS

The Book of Numbers derives its name from the account of the two censuses taken of the Hebrew people, one near the beginning and the other toward the end of the journey in the wilderness (chaps. 1 and 26). It continues the story of that journey begun in Exodus, and describes briefly the experiences of the Israelites for a period of thirty-eight years, from the end of their encampment at Sinai to their arrival at the border of the promised land. Numerous legal ordinances are interspersed in the account, making the book a combination of law and history.

The book divides neatly into two parts. Each part begins with a census of the people (chaps. 1 and 26) and inaugurates a period of preparation prior to entering the promised land. In the first case these preparations come to a tragic end when scouts are sent forth to survey the promised land (chaps. 13–14). Upon their return, the people are so disheartened by the description of the native inhabitants and the seemingly impossible task that lies in front of them that they refuse to enter the land. This results in a decision to doom that entire generation to death and to allow another generation the chance to enter. After the death of the first generation, then, a second census is taken (chap. 26) and again preparations are made to enter the land. In this case, however, the birth of a new generation suggests these preparations will not be in vain. The book ends with the Israelites across the Jordan outside the land of Canaan, underscoring a chief theme of the Pentateuch as a whole: the people anticipating the fulfillment of God’s promise of the land.

In the New Testament numerous allusions to incidents in the Book of Numbers appear: the bronze serpent (Jn 3:14–15), the sedition of Korah and its consequences (1 Cor 10:10), the prophecies of Balaam (2 Pt 2:15–16), and the water gushing from the rock (1 Cor 10:4).

The chief divisions of the Book of Numbers are as follows:

Census and Preparation for the Departure from Sinai (1:1–10:10)
Departure, Rebellion, and Wandering in the Wilderness for Forty Years (10:11–25:18)
Second Census of a New Generation and Preparation to Enter the Promised Land (25:19–36:13)

I. CENSUS AND PREPARATION FOR THE DEPARTURE FROM SINAI

The book of Romans