Scofield Reference Bible Notes/Numbers

by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield

Book Introduction - Numbers

Read first chapter of Numbers
The book derives its name from the fact that it records the enumeration of Israel. Historically, NUMBERS takes up the story where EXODUS left it, and is the book of the wilderness wanderings of the redeemed people consequent upon their failure to enter the land at Kadesh-barnea.
Typically, it is the book of service and walk, and thus completes, with the preceding books, a beautiful moral order: GENESIS, the book of the creation and fall; EXODUS, of redemption; LEVITICUS, of worship and fellowship; and NUMBERS, of that which should follow--service and walk.
It is important to see that nothing was left to self-will. Every servant was numbered, knew his place in the family, and had his own definitely assigned service. The N.T. parallel is 1 Cor. 12.
The second typical lesson is that, tested by wilderness circumstances, Israel utterly failed.
NUMBERS is in five chief divisions:

• The Order of the Host, 1:1-10:10
• From Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, 10:11-12:16,
• Israel at Kadesh-barnea, 13:1-19:22,
• The Wilderness Wanderings, 20:1-33:49,
• Closing Instructions, 33:50-36:13.

The events covered in NUMBERS cover a period of 39 years (Ussher).

CHAPTER 1

Verse 2

second month
i.e. May; also Numbers 1:18.

Verse 51

redeemed
(See Scofield "Exodus 38:27").

CHAPTER 4

Verse 1

redeemed
(See Scofield "Exodus 38:27").

Verse 7

shewbread
(See Scofield "Exodus 25:30").

Verse 8

kinsman Heb. goel, Redemp. (Kinsman type). (See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20").
atonement (See Scofield "Exodus 29:33")

CHAPTER 6

Verse 1

Moses, saying
There is a beautiful moral order in chapters 6.-7.; separation, Numbers 6:1-12, worship, Numbers 6:13-21, blessing, Numbers 6:22-27 service, Numbers 7:1-89. See Hebrews 13:12-16.

Verse 2

Nazarite
The Nazarite (more accurately Nazirite, one separated) was a person of either sex separated wholly unto the Lord. Abstention from wine, the symbol of mere natural joy Psalms 104:15 was the expression of a devotedness which found all its joy in the Lord (cf) ; Psalms 87:7; 97:12; Habakkuk 3:18; Philemon 3:1,3; 4:4,10. The long hair, naturally a reproach to man 1 Corinthians 11:14 was at once the visible sign of the Nazarite's separation, and of his willingness to bear reproach for Jehovah's sake. The type found its perfect fulfilment in Jesus, who was "holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners" Hebrews 7:26 who was utterly separated unto the Father ; John 1:18; 6:38 who allowed no mere natural claim to hinder or divert Him. Matthew 12:46-50.

Verse 11

atonement
(See Scofield "Exodus 29:33").

CHAPTER 7

Verse 3

they brought
It is beautiful to observe that, though the offerings of the princes were identical, each is separately recorded by the pen of inspiration. (Cf) Mark 12:41-44.

Verse 42

Deuel
Called Reuel; Numbers 2:14.

CHAPTER 8

Verse 12

atonement
(See Scofield "Exodus 29:33")

CHAPTER 9

Verse 1

first month
i.e. April; also Numbers 9:5.

Verse 11

second month
i.e. May.

CHAPTER 10

Verse 11

second month
i.e. May.

Verse 29

Raguel
Called Reuwl, Exodus 2:18.

Verse 31

thou mayest
But see Exodus 13:21,22, What need had Moses of Hobab's eyes? Cf. Jeremiah 17:5.

CHAPTER 11

Verse 4

mixt mixed
CF. Exodus 12:38. (See Scofield "Exodus 12:38"). Unconverted church members, unable to desire or understand Christ as the Bread of God Exodus 16:35. See Scofield "Exodus 16:35" will clamour for things pleasing to the flesh in the work and way of the church: sumptuous buildings, ornate ritual, an easy doctrine. Alas! they lead away the unspiritual believers also.

Verse 6

manna
(See Scofield "Exodus 16:35").

Verse 25

spirit that was upon him
There was no more power than before--only more machinery. Moses had murmured (Numbers 5:11) because of the burden that God had laid upon him. God, in distributing the burden, shows that Moses' power had, all along, been in proportion to his burden.

Verse 31

two cubits high upon the face of all the earth
The correct rendering is, "about two cubits above the face of the earth," that is, within reach of the people that they might slay them for food. The statement is not that the quails were piled up from the face of the earth two cubits deep. The level of their flight was two cubits above the earth.

Verse 35

Kibroth-hattaavah
i.e. graves of lust. Numbers 33:17

CHAPTER 12

Verse 1

Kibroth-hattaavah
i.e. graves of lust. Numbers 33:17

CHAPTER 13

Verse 16

Jehoshua
i.e. Saviour, or Deliverer.

Verse 23

Surely
Kadesh-barnea is, by the unbelief of Israel there, and the divine comment on that unbelief Numbers 14:22-38; Deuteronomy 1:19-40; 1 Corinthians 10:1-5; Hebrews 3:12-19 invested with immense spiritual significance. The people had faith to sprinkle the blood of atonement Exodus 12:28 and to come out of Egypt (the world), but had not faith to enter their Canaan rest. Therefore, though redeemed, they were a forty years' grief to Jehovah. The spiritual application is made in Heb. 6:3-11:
(See Scofield "Hebrews 6:4").

CHAPTER 15

Verse 1

wandering
The wilderness was part of the necessary discipline of the redeemed people, but not the years of wandering. The latter were due wholly to the unbelief of the people at Kadesh-barnea. The Red Sea, Marah, Elim, Sinai, were God's ways, in development and discipline, and have, of necessity, their counterpart in Christian experience. The Red Sea speaks of the cross as that which--death to Christ but life for us--separates us from Egypt, the world Galatians 6:14 Marah of God's power to turn untoward things into blessings; Elim of God's power to give rest and refreshment by the way; Sinai of God's holiness and our deep inherent evil, the experience of Romans 7:7-24 So far the path was and is of God. But from Kadesh-barnea to Jordan all save the grace of God toward an unbelieving people, is for warning, not imitation ; 1 Corinthians 10:1-11; Hebrews 3:17-19. There is a present rest of God, of which the Sabbath and Canaan were types, into which believers may, and therefore should, enter by faith Hebrews 3:1-4:16.

Verse 2

When
It is remarkable that just when the people are turning in unbelief from the land, God gives directions for conduct when they shall have entered it. See Romans 11:29; Philippians 1:6.

Verse 25

atonement
(See Scofield "Exodus 29:33").

Verse 38

ribband of blue
The ribband of blue. Blue, the heavenly colour, used upon the borders of the priests' garments signified that the servants of God were to be heavenly in obedience and character, and separate from earthly ambitions and desires.

CHAPTER 16

Verse 10

Seek ye the priesthood also
The "gainsaying of Korah" was intrusion into the priest's office ("no man taketh this honour unto himself,") Hebrews 5:4. It was an attempt to create a priestly order without the divine authority Hebrews 5:10. The modern analogue is Nicolaitanism Revelation 2:6,15 the division of an equal brotherhood Matthew 23:8 into "clergy" and "laity"; a vastly different thing from the due recognition of ministry-gifts ; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31; Ephesians 4:8,11,12 or of elders and deacons ; 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:5-9.

Verse 47

atonement
(See Scofield "Exodus 29:33")

CHAPTER 17

Verse 8

rod of Aaron
Aaron's rod that budded: Type of Christ in resurrection, owned of God as High Priest. Aaron's priesthood had been questioned in the rebellion of Korah, so God Himself will confirm it Numbers 17:5. Each of the tribe-heads brought a perfectly dead rod; God put life into Aaron's only. So all the authors of religions have died, Christ among them, but only Christ was raised from the dead, and exalted to be a high priest. ; Hebrews 4:14; 5:4-10.

CHAPTER 18

Verse 1

bear
i.e. be responsible for every neglect or offence relation to. CF. Exodus 28:38. (See Scofield "Exodus 28:38").

Verse 2

red heifer
The red heifer: Type of the sacrifice of Christ as the ground of the cleansing of the believer from the defilement contracted in his pilgrim walk through this world, and illustration of the method of his cleansing. The order is:

• (1) the slaying of the sacrifice;
• (2) the sevenfold sprinkling of the blood, typical public testimony before the eyes of all of the complete and never-to-be-repeated putting away of all the believer's sin as before God. Hebrews 9:12-14; 10:10-12.
• (3) the reduction of the sacrifice to ashes which are preserved and become a memorial of the sacrifice;
• (4) the cleansing from defilement (sin has two aspects--guilt and uncleanness) by sprinkling with the ashes mingled with water. Water is a type of both the Spirit and the Word. John 7:37-39. Ephesians 5:26. The operation typified is this: the Holy Spirit used the Word to convict the believer of some evil allowed in his life to the hindering of his joy, growth, and service. Thus convicted, he remembers that the guilt of his sin has been met by the sacrifice of Christ 1 John 1:7. Instead, therefore, of despairing, the convicted believer judges and confesses the defiling thing as unworthy a saint, and is forgiven and cleansed ; John 13:3-10; 1 John 1:7-10.

Verse 17

for an unclean
(See Scofield "Numbers 19:2"). See Scofield "John 13:10".

CHAPTER 20

Verse 1

first month
i.e. April.

Verse 5

water
(See Scofield "Numbers 20:8").

Verse 8

speak ye unto the rock before their eyes
See Exodus 17:5. (See Scofield "Exodus 17:5").
The rock (Christ) 1 Corinthians 10:4 once smitten, needs not to be smitten (crucified) again. Moses' act exalted himself Numbers 20:10 and implied (in type) that the one sacrifice was ineffectual, thus denying the eternal efficacy of the blood ; Hebrews 9:25,26; 10:3,11,12. The abundant water (grace reaching the need of the people, despite the error of their leader) tells of refreshing and power through the Spirit.

Verse 16

angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4").

Verse 28

died
The death of Aaron marks the end of the wanderings. Henceforth Israel marches or halts, but does not wander.
(See Scofield "Numbers 15:1").

CHAPTER 21

Verse 3

Hormah
i.e. utter destruction.

Verse 9

serpent
(See Scofield "Genesis 3:14"). The serpent is a symbol of sin judged; brass speaks of the divine judgment, as in the brazen altar See Scofield "Exodus 27:1", note (2) and self-judgment, as in the laver of brass. The brazen serpent is a type of Christ "made sin for us" ; John 3:14,15; 2 Corinthians 5:21 in bearing our judgment. Historically, the moment is indicated in the cry: "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" Matthew 27:46.

Verse 17

Then Israel
The spiritual order here is beautiful:

• (1) atonement Numbers 21:8,9; John 3:14,15
• (2) water, symbol of the Spirit bestowed Numbers 21:16; John 7:37-39.
• (3) joy Numbers 21:17,18; Romans 14:17.
• (4) power Numbers 21:21-24.

CHAPTER 22

Verse 5

Balaam
Balaam is the typical hireling prophet, seeking only to make a market of his gift. This is "the way of Balaam" 2 Peter 2:15 and characterizes false teachers. The "error" of Balaam" Jude 1:11 was that he could see only the natural morality--a holy God, he reasoned, must curse such a people as Israel. Like all false teachers he was ignorant of the higher morality of vicarious atonement, by which God could be just and yet the justifier of believing sinners Romans 3:26. The "doctrine of Balaam" Revelation 2:14 refers to his teaching Balak to corrupt the people whom he could not curse ; Numbers 31:16; 25:1-3; James 4:4. Spiritually, Balaamism in teaching never rises above natural reasonings; in practice, it is easy world- conformity. Scofield "Revelation 2:14".

Verse 12

not go
Cf. Numbers 22:12. (See Scofield "Genesis 46:3").

Verse 22

anger
(Cf) (See Scofield "Genesis 46:3"). In Numbers 22:12 the directive will of Jehovah is made known to Balaam, in Numbers 22:20 Jehovah's permissive will. The prophet is now free to go, but knows the true mind of the Lord about it. The matter is wholly one between Jehovah and His servant. The permission of Numbers 22:20 really constitutes a testing of Balaam. He chose the path of self-will and self- advantage, and Jehovah could not but gravely disapprove. The whole scene, Numbers 22:22-35 prepared Balaam for what was to follow.
angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

Verse 34

angel
(See Scofield "Hebrews 1:4")

Verse 41

utmost
"Utmost part," etc., means the end of the encampment, the "fourth part of Israel" Numbers 23:10. Balak's thought, as Grant (following Keil) points out, was not at all to permit Balaam to see the whole of the Hebrew host. In bringing Balaam to Pisgah Numbers 22:13,14. Balak corrects what, evidently, he thought a blunder. Numbers 23:13,14. But when the hireling sees the whole camp he must utter a grander word than before, "He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob," and that with the nation in full view! What an illustration of the truth of Romans 4:5-8.

CHAPTER 23

Verse 1

utmost
"Utmost part," etc., means the end of the encampment, the "fourth part of Israel" Numbers 23:10. Balak's thought, as Grant (following Keil) points out, was not at all to permit Balaam to see the whole of the Hebrew host. In bringing Balaam to Pisgah Numbers 22:13,14. Balak corrects what, evidently, he thought a blunder. Numbers 23:13,14. But when the hireling sees the whole camp he must utter a grander word than before, "He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob," and that with the nation in full view! What an illustration of the truth of Romans 4:5-8.

Verse 7

and said
In the prophecies of Balaam God testifies on behalf of His people rather than (as usual) to them. It is the divine testimony to their standing as a redeemed people in view of the serpent "lifted up," and of the water from the smitten rock. Numbers 21:5-9; 20:11. Their state was morally bad, but this was a matter concerning the discipline of God, not His judgment. The interpretation of the prophecies is literal as to Israel, typical as to Christians. Through Christ "lifted up" John 3:14 our standing is eternally secure and perfect, though our state may require the Father's discipline ; 1 Corinthians 11:30-32; 2 Corinthians 1:4-9; 1:10-13 meantime, against all enemies, God is "for us." Romans 8:31.

Verse 19

repent
Scofield "Zechariah 8:14".

Verse 22

unicorn
i.e. the aurochs, or wild ox.

CHAPTER 24

Verse 4

falling into
i.e. prostrated by the prophetic impulse. See, 1 Samuel 19:24; Ezekiel 1:23; Daniel 8:18; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4; Revelation 1:10,17.

Verse 17

Sceptre
See "Kingdom" (See Scofield "Genesis 1:26") , See Scofield "Zechariah 12:8".

Verse 20

nations
Or, the first of the nations that warred against Isael. (See Scofield "Exodus 17:8").

Verse 24

Chittim
Pronounced Kittim. Genesis 10:4; Daniel 11:30.

CHAPTER 25

Verse 3

Baal-peor
Or, Baal of Peor. See Numbers 23:28.

Verse 13

atonement
(See Scofield "Exodus 29:33").

CHAPTER 27

Verse 21

after the
(See Scofield "Exodus 28:30").

CHAPTER 28

Verse 2

sweet savour
Or, savour of satisfaction. (See Scofield "Leviticus 1:9").

Verse 16

first month
i.e. April.

Verse 22

atonement
(See Scofield "Exodus 29:33").

Verse 30

atonement
(See Scofield "Exodus 29:33").

CHAPTER 29

Verse 1

seventh month
i.e. October; also Numbers 29:7,12.

CHAPTER 31

Verse 50

atonement
(See Scofield "Exodus 29:33").

CHAPTER 32

Verse 1

The Reubenites
The Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh, who chose their inheritance just outside the land, are types of world-borderers--carnal Christians. What their descendants were when Messiah came is seen in Mark 5:1-17.

CHAPTER 33

Verse 3

first month
i.e. April.

Verse 16

Kibroth-hattaavah
i.e. the graves of lust.

Verse 38

fifth month
i.e. August.

Verse 44

Ijeabarim
i.e. the ruins of Abarim.

CHAPTER 35

Verse 6

refuge
The cities of refuge are types of Christ sheltering the sinner from judgment.
Psalms 46:1; 142:5; Isaiah 4:6; Exodus 21:13; Deuteronomy 19:2-9; Romans 8:1,33,34; Philippians 3:9; Hebrews 6:18,19.

Verse 12

avenger
Heb. "goel," Redemp. (Kinsman type). (See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20").

Verse 19

revenger
Heb. "goel," Redemp. (Kinsman type). (See Scofield "Isaiah 59:20")