Numbers 1:1-36:13

6from Simeon, Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai;

7from Judah, Nahshon son of Amminadab;

8from Issachar, Nethanel son of Zuar;

9from Zebulun, Eliab son of Helon;

13from Asher, Pagiel son of Okran;

14from Gad, Eliasaph son of Deuel; 17Moses and Aaron took these men whose names had been specified,

20From the descendants of Reuben the firstborn son of Israel: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, one by one, according to the records of their clans and families.

25The number from the tribe of Gad was 45,650.

27The number from the tribe of Judah was 74,600.

29The number from the tribe of Issachar was 54,400.

30From the descendants of Zebulun: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families.

31The number from the tribe of Zebulun was 57,400.

33The number from the tribe of Ephraim was 40,500.

34From the descendants of Manasseh: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families.

37The number from the tribe of Benjamin was 35,400.

40From the descendants of Asher: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families.

42From the descendants of Naphtali: All the men twenty years old or more who were able to serve in the army were listed by name, according to the records of their clans and families. 47The ancestral tribe of the Levites, however, was not counted along with the others. 49“You must not count the tribe of Levi or include them in the census of the other Israelites. 51Whenever the tabernacle is to move, the Levites are to take it down, and whenever the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites shall do it. Anyone else who approaches it is to be put to death. 52The Israelites are to set up their tents by divisions, each of them in their own camp under their standard. 54The Israelites did all this just as the LORD commanded Moses.

The Arrangement of the Tribal Camps 1The LORD said to Moses and Aaron:

2“The Israelites are to camp around the tent of meeting some distance from it, each of them under their standard and holding the banners of their family.”

4His division numbers 74,600. 12The tribe of Simeon will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Simeon is Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai. 14The tribe of Gad will be next. The leader of the people of Gad is Eliasaph son of Deuel. Many manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Vulgate (see also 1:14); most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text Reuel

15His division numbers 45,650.

19His division numbers 40,500.

21His division numbers 32,200.

23His division numbers 35,400. 27The tribe of Asher will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Asher is Pagiel son of Okran. 29The tribe of Naphtali will be next. The leader of the people of Naphtali is Ahira son of Enan.

30His division numbers 53,400.

33The Levites, however, were not counted along with the other Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.

4Nadab and Abihu, however, died before the LORD when they made an offering with unauthorized fire before him in the Desert of Sinai. They had no sons, so Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests during the lifetime of their father Aaron. 7They are to perform duties for him and for the whole community at the tent of meeting by doing the work of the tabernacle. 9Give the Levites to Aaron and his sons; they are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to him. Most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text; some manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint (see also 8:16) to me

10Appoint Aaron and his sons to serve as priests; anyone else who approaches the sanctuary is to be put to death.”

17These were the names of the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari.

18These were the names of the Gershonite clans: Libni and Shimei.

19The Kohathite clans: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel.

20The Merarite clans: Mahli and Mushi. These were the Levite clans, according to their families. 22The number of all the males a month old or more who were counted was 7,500. 23The Gershonite clans were to camp on the west, behind the tabernacle. 24The leader of the families of the Gershonites was Eliasaph son of Lael. 28The number of all the males a month old or more was 8,600. Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts 8,300 The Kohathites were responsible for the care of the sanctuary. 30The leader of the families of the Kohathite clans was Elizaphan son of Uzziel. 33To Merari belonged the clans of the Mahlites and the Mushites; these were the Merarite clans. 40The LORD said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn Israelite males who are a month old or more and make a list of their names.

43The total number of firstborn males a month old or more, listed by name, was 22,273. 44The LORD also said to Moses, 47collect five shekels That is, about 2 ounces or about 58 grams for each one, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. 5When the camp is to move, Aaron and his sons are to go in and take down the shielding curtain and put it over the ark of the covenant law.

6Then they are to cover the curtain with a durable leather, Possibly the hides of large aquatic mammals; also in verses 8, 10, 11, 12, 14 and 25 spread a cloth of solid blue over that and put the poles in place.

8They are to spread a scarlet cloth over them, cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.

11“Over the gold altar they are to spread a blue cloth and cover that with the durable leather and put the poles in place.

12“They are to take all the articles used for ministering in the sanctuary, wrap them in a blue cloth, cover that with the durable leather and put them on a carrying frame.

14Then they are to place on it all the utensils used for ministering at the altar, including the firepans, meat forks, shovels and sprinkling bowls. Over it they are to spread a covering of the durable leather and put the poles in place.

15“After Aaron and his sons have finished covering the holy furnishings and all the holy articles, and when the camp is ready to move, only then are the Kohathites to come and do the carrying. But they must not touch the holy things or they will die. The Kohathites are to carry those things that are in the tent of meeting. 18“See that the Kohathite tribal clans are not destroyed from among the Levites.

20But the Kohathites must not go in to look at the holy things, even for a moment, or they will die.”

23Count all the men from thirty to fifty years of age who come to serve in the work at the tent of meeting. 26the curtains of the courtyard surrounding the tabernacle and altar, the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard, the ropes and all the equipment used in the service of the tent. The Gershonites are to do all that needs to be done with these things. 32as well as the posts of the surrounding courtyard with their bases, tent pegs, ropes, all their equipment and everything related to their use. Assign to each man the specific things he is to carry.

The Numbering of the Levite Clans 34Moses, Aaron and the leaders of the community counted the Kohathites by their clans and families. 36counted by clans, were 2,750.

37This was the total of all those in the Kohathite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the LORD ’s command through Moses.

41This was the total of those in the Gershonite clans who served at the tent of meeting. Moses and Aaron counted them according to the LORD ’s command. 43All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to serve in the work at the tent of meeting, 46So Moses, Aaron and the leaders of Israel counted all the Levites by their clans and families. 47All the men from thirty to fifty years of age who came to do the work of serving and carrying the tent of meeting

Restitution for Wrongs 5The LORD said to Moses, 7and must confess the sin they have committed. They must make full restitution for the wrong they have done, add a fifth of the value to it and give it all to the person they have wronged. 14and if feelings of jealousy come over her husband and he suspects his wife and she is impure—or if he is jealous and suspects her even though she is not impure—

15then he is to take his wife to the priest. He must also take an offering of a tenth of an ephah That is, probably about 3 1/2 pounds or about 1.6 kilograms of barley flour on her behalf. He must not pour olive oil on it or put incense on it, because it is a grain offering for jealousy, a reminder-offering to draw attention to wrongdoing. 18After the priest has had the woman stand before the LORD, he shall loosen her hair and place in her hands the reminder-offering, the grain offering for jealousy, while he himself holds the bitter water that brings a curse. 19Then the priest shall put the woman under oath and say to her, “If no other man has had sexual relations with you and you have not gone astray and become impure while married to your husband, may this bitter water that brings a curse not harm you. 21here the priest is to put the woman under this curse—“may the LORD cause you to become a curse That is, may he cause your name to be used in cursing (see Jer. 29:22); or, may others see that you are cursed; similarly in verse 27. among your people when he makes your womb miscarry and your abdomen swell. 23“ ‘The priest is to write these curses on a scroll and then wash them off into the bitter water. 24He shall make the woman drink the bitter water that brings a curse, and this water that brings a curse and causes bitter suffering will enter her. 27If she has made herself impure and been unfaithful to her husband, this will be the result: When she is made to drink the water that brings a curse and causes bitter suffering, it will enter her, her abdomen will swell and her womb will miscarry, and she will become a curse. 31The husband will be innocent of any wrongdoing, but the woman will bear the consequences of her sin.’ ” 6“ ‘Throughout the period of their dedication to the LORD, the Nazirite must not go near a dead body. 10Then on the eighth day they must bring two doves or two young pigeons to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 11The priest is to offer one as a sin offering Or purification offering; also in verses 14 and 16 and the other as a burnt offering to make atonement for the Nazirite because they sinned by being in the presence of the dead body. That same day they are to consecrate their head again. 13“ ‘Now this is the law of the Nazirite when the period of their dedication is over. They are to be brought to the entrance to the tent of meeting.

17He is to present the basket of unleavened bread and is to sacrifice the ram as a fellowship offering to the LORD, together with its grain offering and drink offering.

20The priest shall then wave these before the LORD as a wave offering; they are holy and belong to the priest, together with the breast that was waved and the thigh that was presented. After that, the Nazirite may drink wine.

The Priestly Blessing 22The LORD said to Moses,

23“Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:

24“ ‘ “The LORD bless you and keep you;

Offerings at the Dedication of the Tabernacle 1When Moses finished setting up the tabernacle, he anointed and consecrated it and all its furnishings. He also anointed and consecrated the altar and all its utensils.

5“Accept these from them, that they may be used in the work at the tent of meeting. Give them to the Levites as each man’s work requires.” 7He gave two carts and four oxen to the Gershonites, as their work required,

12The one who brought his offering on the first day was Nahshon son of Amminadab of the tribe of Judah. 14one gold dish weighing ten shekels, That is, about 4 ounces or about 115 grams; also elsewhere in this chapter filled with incense;

17and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Nahshon son of Amminadab. 19The offering he brought was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 21one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 22one male goat for a sin offering;

24On the third day, Eliab son of Helon, the leader of the people of Zebulun, brought his offering. 25His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering;

29and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliab son of Helon.

30On the fourth day Elizur son of Shedeur, the leader of the people of Reuben, brought his offering. 31His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 32one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 33one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 34one male goat for a sin offering; 39one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 40one male goat for a sin offering;

42On the sixth day Eliasaph son of Deuel, the leader of the people of Gad, brought his offering.

47and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Eliasaph son of Deuel. 51one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 52one male goat for a sin offering;

53and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Elishama son of Ammihud. 61His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 63one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 64one male goat for a sin offering;

65and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Abidan son of Gideoni. 67His offering was one silver plate weighing a hundred and thirty shekels and one silver sprinkling bowl weighing seventy shekels, both according to the sanctuary shekel, each filled with the finest flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering; 69one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 70one male goat for a sin offering;

72On the eleventh day Pagiel son of Okran, the leader of the people of Asher, brought his offering. 74one gold dish weighing ten shekels, filled with incense; 75one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 76one male goat for a sin offering;

77and two oxen, five rams, five male goats and five male lambs a year old to be sacrificed as a fellowship offering. This was the offering of Pagiel son of Okran.

78On the twelfth day Ahira son of Enan, the leader of the people of Naphtali, brought his offering. 81one young bull, one ram and one male lamb a year old for a burnt offering; 82one male goat for a sin offering; 85Each silver plate weighed a hundred and thirty shekels, and each sprinkling bowl seventy shekels. Altogether, the silver dishes weighed two thousand four hundred shekels, That is, about 60 pounds or about 28 kilograms according to the sanctuary shekel.

Setting Up the Lamps 1The LORD said to Moses, 3Aaron did so; he set up the lamps so that they faced forward on the lampstand, just as the LORD commanded Moses.

4This is how the lampstand was made: It was made of hammered gold—from its base to its blossoms. The lampstand was made exactly like the pattern the LORD had shown Moses. 6“Take the Levites from among all the Israelites and make them ceremonially clean. 7To purify them, do this: Sprinkle the water of cleansing on them; then have them shave their whole bodies and wash their clothes. And so they will purify themselves. 10You are to bring the Levites before the LORD, and the Israelites are to lay their hands on them. 13Have the Levites stand in front of Aaron and his sons and then present them as a wave offering to the LORD . 16They are the Israelites who are to be given wholly to me. I have taken them as my own in place of the firstborn, the first male offspring from every Israelite woman. 20Moses, Aaron and the whole Israelite community did with the Levites just as the LORD commanded Moses. 21The Levites purified themselves and washed their clothes. Then Aaron presented them as a wave offering before the LORD and made atonement for them to purify them.

22After that, the Levites came to do their work at the tent of meeting under the supervision of Aaron and his sons. They did with the Levites just as the LORD commanded Moses. 23The LORD said to Moses, 25but at the age of fifty, they must retire from their regular service and work no longer. 26They may assist their brothers in performing their duties at the tent of meeting, but they themselves must not do the work. This, then, is how you are to assign the responsibilities of the Levites.”

The Passover 1The LORD spoke to Moses in the Desert of Sinai in the first month of the second year after they came out of Egypt. He said, 2“Have the Israelites celebrate the Passover at the appointed time. 9Then the LORD said to Moses, 10“Tell the Israelites: ‘When any of you or your descendants are unclean because of a dead body or are away on a journey, they are still to celebrate the LORD ’s Passover,

14“ ‘A foreigner residing among you is also to celebrate the LORD ’s Passover in accordance with its rules and regulations. You must have the same regulations for both the foreigner and the native-born.’ ” 21Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out.

The Silver Trumpets 1The LORD said to Moses: 3When both are sounded, the whole community is to assemble before you at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 5When a trumpet blast is sounded, the tribes camping on the east are to set out. 6At the sounding of a second blast, the camps on the south are to set out. The blast will be the signal for setting out.

7To gather the assembly, blow the trumpets, but not with the signal for setting out.

The Israelites Leave Sinai 11On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the covenant law.

17Then the tabernacle was taken down, and the Gershonites and Merarites, who carried it, set out. 19Shelumiel son of Zurishaddai was over the division of the tribe of Simeon, 20and Eliasaph son of Deuel was over the division of the tribe of Gad.

21Then the Kohathites set out, carrying the holy things. The tabernacle was to be set up before they arrived. 25Finally, as the rear guard for all the units, the divisions of the camp of Dan set out under their standard. Ahiezer son of Ammishaddai was in command. 27and Ahira son of Enan was over the division of the tribe of Naphtali.

28This was the order of march for the Israelite divisions as they set out.

29Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place about which the LORD said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the LORD has promised good things to Israel.”

34The cloud of the LORD was over them by day when they set out from the camp. 36Whenever it came to rest, he said, “Return, LORD, to the countless thousands of Israel.” 2When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the LORD and the fire died down.

3So that place was called Taberah, Taberah means burning. because fire from the LORD had burned among them. 7The manna was like coriander seed and looked like resin. 8The people went around gathering it, and then ground it in a hand mill or crushed it in a mortar. They cooked it in a pot or made it into loaves. And it tasted like something made with olive oil. 13Where can I get meat for all these people? They keep wailing to me, ‘Give us meat to eat!’

17I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the power of the Spirit that is on you and put it on them. They will share the burden of the people with you so that you will not have to carry it alone. 21But Moses said, “Here I am among six hundred thousand men on foot, and you say, ‘I will give them meat to eat for a whole month!’

23The LORD answered Moses, “Is the LORD ’s arm too short? Now you will see whether or not what I say will come true for you.”

25Then the LORD came down in the cloud and spoke with him, and he took some of the power of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied—but did not do so again. 35From Kibroth Hattaavah the people traveled to Hazeroth and stayed there.

Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses 1Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite.

9The anger of the LORD burned against them, and he left them. 10When the cloud lifted from above the tent, Miriam’s skin was leprous The Hebrew for leprous was used for various diseases affecting the skin. —it became as white as snow. Aaron turned toward her and saw that she had a defiling skin disease, 11and he said to Moses, “Please, my lord, I ask you not to hold against us the sin we have so foolishly committed.

12Do not let her be like a stillborn infant coming from its mother’s womb with its flesh half eaten away.” 14The LORD replied to Moses, “If her father had spit in her face, would she not have been in disgrace for seven days? Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.”

15So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back.

4These are their names: from the tribe of Reuben, Shammua son of Zakkur;

8from the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea son of Nun;

9from the tribe of Benjamin, Palti son of Raphu;

11from the tribe of Manasseh (a tribe of Joseph), Gaddi son of Susi;

13from the tribe of Asher, Sethur son of Michael;

20How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees in it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.” (It was the season for the first ripe grapes.) 22They went up through the Negev and came to Hebron, where Ahiman, Sheshai and Talmai, the descendants of Anak, lived. (Hebron had been built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.)

Report on the Exploration 26They came back to Moses and Aaron and the whole Israelite community at Kadesh in the Desert of Paran. There they reported to them and to the whole assembly and showed them the fruit of the land. 31But the men who had gone up with him said, “We can’t attack those people; they are stronger than we are.” 32And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, “The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.” 6Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7and said to the entire Israelite assembly, “The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good.

9Only do not rebel against the LORD . And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.” 13Moses said to the LORD, “Then the Egyptians will hear about it! By your power you brought these people up from among them. 14And they will tell the inhabitants of this land about it. They have already heard that you, LORD, are with these people and that you, LORD, have been seen face to face, that your cloud stays over them, and that you go before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. 18‘The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.’ 23not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their ancestors. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.

25Since the Amalekites and the Canaanites are living in the valleys, turn back tomorrow and set out toward the desert along the route to the Red Sea. Or the Sea of Reeds ” 32But as for you, your bodies will fall in this wilderness. 36So the men Moses had sent to explore the land, who returned and made the whole community grumble against him by spreading a bad report about it— 41But Moses said, “Why are you disobeying the LORD ’s command? This will not succeed! 45Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and attacked them and beat them down all the way to Hormah.

Supplementary Offerings 1The LORD said to Moses, 2“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘After you enter the land I am giving you as a home 9bring with the bull a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah That is, probably about 11 pounds or about 5 kilograms of the finest flour mixed with half a hin That is, about 2 quarts or about 1.9 liters; also in verse 10 of olive oil, 10and also bring half a hin of wine as a drink offering. This will be a food offering, an aroma pleasing to the LORD .

12Do this for each one, for as many as you prepare. 14For the generations to come, whenever a foreigner or anyone else living among you presents a food offering as an aroma pleasing to the LORD, they must do exactly as you do. 15The community is to have the same rules for you and for the foreigner residing among you; this is a lasting ordinance for the generations to come. You and the foreigner shall be the same before the LORD : 18“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter the land to which I am taking you 20Present a loaf from the first of your ground meal and present it as an offering from the threshing floor.

21Throughout the generations to come you are to give this offering to the LORD from the first of your ground meal. 30“ ‘But anyone who sins defiantly, whether native-born or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD and must be cut off from the people of Israel.

31Because they have despised the LORD ’s word and broken his commands, they must surely be cut off; their guilt remains on them.’ ”

The Sabbath-Breaker Put to Death 32While the Israelites were in the wilderness, a man was found gathering wood on the Sabbath day. 33Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moses and Aaron and the whole assembly, 34and they kept him in custody, because it was not clear what should be done to him. 38“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. 39You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes. 4When Moses heard this, he fell facedown. 6You, Korah, and all your followers are to do this: Take censers 10He has brought you and all your fellow Levites near himself, but now you are trying to get the priesthood too. 13Isn’t it enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? And now you also want to lord it over us!

14Moreover, you haven’t brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Do you want to treat these men like slaves Or to deceive these men; Hebrew Will you gouge out the eyes of these men ? No, we will not come!”

15Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not accept their offering. I have not taken so much as a donkey from them, nor have I wronged any of them.” 16Moses said to Korah, “You and all your followers are to appear before the LORD tomorrow—you and they and Aaron. 17Each man is to take his censer and put incense in it—250 censers in all—and present it before the LORD . You and Aaron are to present your censers also.”

24“Say to the assembly, ‘Move away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram.’ ” 25Moses got up and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him.

27So they moved away from the tents of Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Dathan and Abiram had come out and were standing with their wives, children and little ones at the entrances to their tents. 32and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. 33They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community.

35And fire came out from the LORD and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense. 39So Eleazar the priest collected the bronze censers brought by those who had been burned to death, and he had them hammered out to overlay the altar,

40as the LORD directed him through Moses. This was to remind the Israelites that no one except a descendant of Aaron should come to burn incense before the LORD, or he would become like Korah and his followers.

41The next day the whole Israelite community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. “You have killed the LORD ’s people,” they said. 42But when the assembly gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron and turned toward the tent of meeting, suddenly the cloud covered it and the glory of the LORD appeared. 46Then Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer and put incense in it, along with burning coals from the altar, and hurry to the assembly to make atonement for them. Wrath has come out from the LORD ; the plague has started.” 49But 14,700 people died from the plague, in addition to those who had died because of Korah.

The Budding of Aaron’s Staff 1In Hebrew texts 17:1-13 is numbered 17:16-28. The LORD said to Moses,

5The staff belonging to the man I choose will sprout, and I will rid myself of this constant grumbling against you by the Israelites.”

9Then Moses brought out all the staffs from the LORD ’s presence to all the Israelites. They looked at them, and each of the leaders took his own staff.

11Moses did just as the LORD commanded him. 13Anyone who even comes near the tabernacle of the LORD will die. Are we all going to die?”

Duties of Priests and Levites 1The LORD said to Aaron, “You, your sons and your family are to bear the responsibility for offenses connected with the sanctuary, and you and your sons alone are to bear the responsibility for offenses connected with the priesthood. 3They are to be responsible to you and are to perform all the duties of the tent, but they must not go near the furnishings of the sanctuary or the altar. Otherwise both they and you will die.

4They are to join you and be responsible for the care of the tent of meeting—all the work at the tent—and no one else may come near where you are. 6I myself have selected your fellow Levites from among the Israelites as a gift to you, dedicated to the LORD to do the work at the tent of meeting. 12“I give you all the finest olive oil and all the finest new wine and grain they give the LORD as the firstfruits of their harvest. 18Their meat is to be yours, just as the breast of the wave offering and the right thigh are yours. 28In this way you also will present an offering to the LORD from all the tithes you receive from the Israelites. From these tithes you must give the LORD ’s portion to Aaron the priest.

29You must present as the LORD ’s portion the best and holiest part of everything given to you.’ 30“Say to the Levites: ‘When you present the best part, it will be reckoned to you as the product of the threshing floor or the winepress. 31You and your households may eat the rest of it anywhere, for it is your wages for your work at the tent of meeting.

The Water of Cleansing 1The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: 2“This is a requirement of the law that the LORD has commanded: Tell the Israelites to bring you a red heifer without defect or blemish and that has never been under a yoke. 9“A man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer and put them in a ceremonially clean place outside the camp. They are to be kept by the Israelite community for use in the water of cleansing; it is for purification from sin. 11“Whoever touches a human corpse will be unclean for seven days.

13If they fail to purify themselves after touching a human corpse, they defile the LORD ’s tabernacle. They must be cut off from Israel. Because the water of cleansing has not been sprinkled on them, they are unclean; their uncleanness remains on them. 14“This is the law that applies when a person dies in a tent: Anyone who enters the tent and anyone who is in it will be unclean for seven days,

15and every open container without a lid fastened on it will be unclean. 17“For the unclean person, put some ashes from the burned purification offering into a jar and pour fresh water over them. 2Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the LORD ! 9So Moses took the staff from the LORD ’s presence, just as he commanded him.

11Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.

12But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”

13These were the waters of Meribah, Meribah means quarreling. where the Israelites quarreled with the LORD and where he was proved holy among them. 15Our ancestors went down into Egypt, and we lived there many years. The Egyptians mistreated us and our ancestors,

16but when we cried out to the LORD, he heard our cry and sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. “Now we are here at Kadesh, a town on the edge of your territory.

19The Israelites replied: “We will go along the main road, and if we or our livestock drink any of your water, we will pay for it. We only want to pass through on foot—nothing else.” 23At Mount Hor, near the border of Edom, the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, 24“Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land I give the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against my command at the waters of Meribah. 27Moses did as the LORD commanded: They went up Mount Hor in the sight of the whole community. 29and when the whole community learned that Aaron had died, all the Israelites mourned for him thirty days. 2Then Israel made this vow to the LORD : “If you will deliver these people into our hands, we will totally destroy The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them; also in verse 3. their cities.”

The Bronze Snake 4They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, Or the Sea of Reeds to go around Edom. But the people grew impatient on the way; 6Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.

7The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you. Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us.” So Moses prayed for the people.

9So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole. Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, they lived. 11Then they set out from Oboth and camped in Iye Abarim, in the wilderness that faces Moab toward the sunrise.

15and Or “I have been given from Suphah and the ravines / of the Arnon 15 to the slopes of the ravines that lead to the settlement of Ar and lie along the border of Moab.”

18about the well that the princes dug, that the nobles of the people sank— the nobles with scepters and staffs.” Then they went from the wilderness to Mattanah,

Defeat of Sihon and Og 21Israel sent messengers to say to Sihon king of the Amorites: 25Israel captured all the cities of the Amorites and occupied them, including Heshbon and all its surrounding settlements.

26Heshbon was the city of Sihon king of the Amorites, who had fought against the former king of Moab and had taken from him all his land as far as the Arnon.

27That is why the poets say: “Come to Heshbon and let it be rebuilt; let Sihon’s city be restored. 32After Moses had sent spies to Jazer, the Israelites captured its surrounding settlements and drove out the Amorites who were there.

34The LORD said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have delivered him into your hands, along with his whole army and his land. Do to him what you did to Sihon king of the Amorites, who reigned in Heshbon.”

4The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, “This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field.” So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time,

6Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the land. For I know that whoever you bless is blessed, and whoever you curse is cursed.”

7The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said. 10Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message:

14So the Moabite officials returned to Balak and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.”

17because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me.”

19Now spend the night here so that I can find out what else the LORD will tell me.”

20That night God came to Balaam and said, “Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you.” 26Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, it lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat it with his staff. 32The angel of the LORD asked him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The meaning of the Hebrew for this clause is uncertain.

33The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If it had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared it.”

34Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, “I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back.” 36When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. 39Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth.

8How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the LORD has not denounced?

11Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!”

15Balaam said to Balak, “Stay here beside your offering while I meet with him over there.”

16The LORD met with Balaam and put a word in his mouth and said, “Go back to Balak and give him this word.”

24The people rise like a lioness; they rouse themselves like a lion that does not rest till it devours its prey and drinks the blood of its victims.”

Balaam’s Third Message 27Then Balak said to Balaam, “Come, let me take you to another place. Perhaps it will please God to let you curse them for me from there.”

28And Balak took Balaam to the top of Peor, overlooking the wasteland.

4the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, Hebrew Shaddai; also in verse 16 who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

5“How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel!

6“Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by the LORD, like cedars beside the waters.

7Water will flow from their buckets; their seed will have abundant water. “Their king will be greater than Agag; their kingdom will be exalted.

8“God brought them out of Egypt; they have the strength of a wild ox. They devour hostile nations and break their bones in pieces; with their arrows they pierce them.

9Like a lion they crouch and lie down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse them? “May those who bless you be blessed and those who curse you be cursed!” 13‘Even if Balak gave me all the silver and gold in his palace, I could not do anything of my own accord, good or bad, to go beyond the command of the LORD —and I must say only what the LORD says’?

16the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who has knowledge from the Most High, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened:

19A ruler will come out of Jacob and destroy the survivors of the city.”

22yet you Kenites will be destroyed when Ashur takes you captive.”

Balaam’s Seventh Message 23Then he spoke his message: “Alas! Who can live when God does this? Masoretic Text; with a different word division of the Hebrew The people from the islands will gather from the north.

24Ships will come from the shores of Cyprus; they will subdue Ashur and Eber, but they too will come to ruin.” 2who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate the sacrificial meal and bowed down before these gods.

3So Israel yoked themselves to the Baal of Peor. And the LORD ’s anger burned against them.

9but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000. 11“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, the priest, has turned my anger away from the Israelites. Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal. 12Therefore tell him I am making my covenant of peace with him.

15And the name of the Midianite woman who was put to death was Kozbi daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a Midianite family. 16The LORD said to Moses, 18They treated you as enemies when they deceived you in the Peor incident involving their sister Kozbi, the daughter of a Midianite leader, the woman who was killed when the plague came as a result of that incident.”

The Second Census 1After the plague the LORD said to Moses and Eleazar son of Aaron, the priest,

4“Take a census of the men twenty years old or more, as the LORD commanded Moses.” These were the Israelites who came out of Egypt:

5The descendants of Reuben, the firstborn son of Israel, were: through Hanok, the Hanokite clan; through Pallu, the Palluite clan;

6through Hezron, the Hezronite clan; through Karmi, the Karmite clan.

7These were the clans of Reuben; those numbered were 43,730. 9and the sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan and Abiram. The same Dathan and Abiram were the community officials who rebelled against Moses and Aaron and were among Korah’s followers when they rebelled against the LORD .

13through Zerah, the Zerahite clan; through Shaul, the Shaulite clan.

16through Ozni, the Oznite clan; through Eri, the Erite clan;

17through Arodi, Samaritan Pentateuch and Syriac (see also Gen. 46:16); Masoretic Text Arod the Arodite clan; through Areli, the Arelite clan.

18These were the clans of Gad; those numbered were 40,500.

19Er and Onan were sons of Judah, but they died in Canaan.

22These were the clans of Judah; those numbered were 76,500.

24through Jashub, the Jashubite clan; through Shimron, the Shimronite clan.

29The descendants of Manasseh: through Makir, the Makirite clan (Makir was the father of Gilead); through Gilead, the Gileadite clan.

30These were the descendants of Gilead: through Iezer, the Iezerite clan; through Helek, the Helekite clan;

31through Asriel, the Asrielite clan; through Shechem, the Shechemite clan;

32through Shemida, the Shemidaite clan; through Hepher, the Hepherite clan.

33(Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons; he had only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milkah and Tirzah.)

38The descendants of Benjamin by their clans were: through Bela, the Belaite clan; through Ashbel, the Ashbelite clan; through Ahiram, the Ahiramite clan;

39through Shupham, A few manuscripts of the Masoretic Text, Samaritan Pentateuch, Vulgate and Syriac (see also Septuagint); most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text Shephupham the Shuphamite clan; through Hupham, the Huphamite clan.

40The descendants of Bela through Ard and Naaman were: through Ard, Samaritan Pentateuch and Vulgate (see also Septuagint); Masoretic Text does not have through Ard. the Ardite clan; through Naaman, the Naamite clan.

41These were the clans of Benjamin; those numbered were 45,600.

42These were the descendants of Dan by their clans: through Shuham, the Shuhamite clan. These were the clans of Dan:

43All of them were Shuhamite clans; and those numbered were 64,400.

49through Jezer, the Jezerite clan; through Shillem, the Shillemite clan.

51The total number of the men of Israel was 601,730. 53“The land is to be allotted to them as an inheritance based on the number of names. 54To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one; each is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those listed. 60Aaron was the father of Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar.

61But Nadab and Abihu died when they made an offering before the LORD with unauthorized fire.) 64Not one of them was among those counted by Moses and Aaron the priest when they counted the Israelites in the Desert of Sinai. 3“Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among Korah’s followers, who banded together against the LORD, but he died for his own sin and left no sons. 5So Moses brought their case before the LORD,

Joshua to Succeed Moses 12Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain in the Abarim Range and see the land I have given the Israelites.

14for when the community rebelled at the waters in the Desert of Zin, both of you disobeyed my command to honor me as holy before their eyes.” (These were the waters of Meribah Kadesh, in the Desert of Zin.) 15Moses said to the LORD, 16“May the LORD, the God who gives breath to all living things, appoint someone over this community

17to go out and come in before them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the LORD ’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd.” 18So the LORD said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, Or the Spirit and lay your hand on him. 22Moses did as the LORD commanded him. He took Joshua and had him stand before Eleazar the priest and the whole assembly. 23Then he laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as the LORD instructed through Moses. 3Say to them: ‘This is the food offering you are to present to the LORD : two lambs a year old without defect, as a regular burnt offering each day. 5together with a grain offering of a tenth of an ephah That is, probably about 3 1/2 pounds or about 1.6 kilograms; also in verses 13, 21 and 29 of the finest flour mixed with a quarter of a hin That is, about 1 quart or about 1 liter; also in verses 7 and 14 of oil from pressed olives. 7The accompanying drink offering is to be a quarter of a hin of fermented drink with each lamb. Pour out the drink offering to the LORD at the sanctuary.

Monthly Offerings 11“ ‘On the first of every month, present to the LORD a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect. 14With each bull there is to be a drink offering of half a hin That is, about 2 quarts or about 1.9 liters of wine; with the ram, a third of a hin That is, about 1 1/3 quarts or about 1.3 liters ; and with each lamb, a quarter of a hin. This is the monthly burnt offering to be made at each new moon during the year.

15Besides the regular burnt offering with its drink offering, one male goat is to be presented to the LORD as a sin offering. Or purification offering; also in verse 22

The Passover 16“ ‘On the fourteenth day of the first month the LORD ’s Passover is to be held. 19Present to the LORD a food offering consisting of a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram and seven male lambs a year old, all without defect. 20With each bull offer a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil; with the ram, two-tenths; 30Include one male goat to make atonement for you. 5Include one male goat as a sin offering Or purification offering; also elsewhere in this chapter to make atonement for you. 9With the bull offer a grain offering of three-tenths of an ephah of the finest flour mixed with oil; with the ram, two-tenths;

11Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering for atonement and the regular burnt offering with its grain offering, and their drink offerings. 13Present as an aroma pleasing to the LORD a food offering consisting of a burnt offering of thirteen young bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 15and with each of the fourteen lambs, one-tenth.

19Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering, and their drink offerings. 20“ ‘On the third day offer eleven bulls, two rams and fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect. 24With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 33With the bulls, rams and lambs, offer their grain offerings and drink offerings according to the number specified. 35“ ‘On the eighth day hold a closing special assembly and do no regular work.

38Include one male goat as a sin offering, in addition to the regular burnt offering with its grain offering and drink offering.

Vows 1In Hebrew texts 30:1-16 is numbered 30:2-17. Moses said to the heads of the tribes of Israel: “This is what the LORD commands: 6“If she marries after she makes a vow or after her lips utter a rash promise by which she obligates herself 7and her husband hears about it but says nothing to her, then her vows or the pledges by which she obligated herself will stand.

9“Any vow or obligation taken by a widow or divorced woman will be binding on her. 13Her husband may confirm or nullify any vow she makes or any sworn pledge to deny herself. Or to fast 16These are the regulations the LORD gave Moses concerning relationships between a man and his wife, and between a father and his young daughter still living at home. 3So Moses said to the people, “Arm some of your men to go to war against the Midianites so that they may carry out the LORD ’s vengeance on them. 5So twelve thousand men armed for battle, a thousand from each tribe, were supplied from the clans of Israel.

6Moses sent them into battle, a thousand from each tribe, along with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the priest, who took with him articles from the sanctuary and the trumpets for signaling. 10They burned all the towns where the Midianites had settled, as well as all their camps. 13Moses, Eleazar the priest and all the leaders of the community went to meet them outside the camp.

14Moses was angry with the officers of the army—the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds—who returned from the battle. 17Now kill all the boys. And kill every woman who has slept with a man, 19“Anyone who has killed someone or touched someone who was killed must stay outside the camp seven days. On the third and seventh days you must purify yourselves and your captives.

20Purify every garment as well as everything made of leather, goat hair or wood.” 28From the soldiers who fought in the battle, set apart as tribute for the LORD one out of every five hundred, whether people, cattle, donkeys or sheep. 30From the Israelites’ half, select one out of every fifty, whether people, cattle, donkeys, sheep or other animals. Give them to the Levites, who are responsible for the care of the LORD ’s tabernacle.” 3461,000 donkeys

35and 32,000 women who had never slept with a man.

3836,000 cattle, of which the tribute for the LORD was 72;

3930,500 donkeys, of which the tribute for the LORD was 61;

4016,000 people, of whom the tribute for the LORD was 32.

41Moses gave the tribute to Eleazar the priest as the LORD ’s part, as the LORD commanded Moses. 4436,000 cattle, 4530,500 donkeys 53Each soldier had taken plunder for himself. 54Moses and Eleazar the priest accepted the gold from the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds and brought it into the tent of meeting as a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD .

The Transjordan Tribes 1The Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, saw that the lands of Jazer and Gilead were suitable for livestock.

5If we have found favor in your eyes,” they said, “let this land be given to your servants as our possession. Do not make us cross the Jordan.” 6Moses said to the Gadites and Reubenites, “Should your fellow Israelites go to war while you sit here? 7Why do you discourage the Israelites from crossing over into the land the LORD has given them? 8This is what your fathers did when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to look over the land. 11‘Because they have not followed me wholeheartedly, not one of those who were twenty years old or more when they came up out of Egypt will see the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—

15If you turn away from following him, he will again leave all this people in the wilderness, and you will be the cause of their destruction.” 17But we will arm ourselves for battle Septuagint; Hebrew will be quick to arm ourselves and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place. Meanwhile our women and children will live in fortified cities, for protection from the inhabitants of the land. 18We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance. 20Then Moses said to them, “If you will do this—if you will arm yourselves before the LORD for battle 23“But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD ; and you may be sure that your sin will find you out. 26Our children and wives, our flocks and herds will remain here in the cities of Gilead. 28Then Moses gave orders about them to Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun and to the family heads of the Israelite tribes. 31The Gadites and Reubenites answered, “Your servants will do what the LORD has said. 35Atroth Shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah,

38as well as Nebo and Baal Meon (these names were changed) and Sibmah. They gave names to the cities they rebuilt. 41Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, captured their settlements and called them Havvoth Jair. Or them the settlements of Jair

Stages in Israel’s Journey 1Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron.

2At the LORD ’s command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. This is their journey by stages:

12They left the Desert of Sin and camped at Dophkah.

14They left Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.

16They left the Desert of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hattaavah.

17They left Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth.

18They left Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah.

20They left Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah.

27They left Tahath and camped at Terah.

29They left Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah.

32They left Bene Jaakan and camped at Hor Haggidgad.

33They left Hor Haggidgad and camped at Jotbathah.

34They left Jotbathah and camped at Abronah.

39Aaron was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.

40The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev of Canaan, heard that the Israelites were coming.

41They left Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah.

42They left Zalmonah and camped at Punon.

43They left Punon and camped at Oboth.

45They left Iye Abarim and camped at Dibon Gad.

46They left Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim.

49There on the plains of Moab they camped along the Jordan from Beth Jeshimoth to Abel Shittim. 50On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the LORD said to Moses, 53Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess.

54Distribute the land by lot, according to your clans. To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one. Whatever falls to them by lot will be theirs. Distribute it according to your ancestral tribes. 55“ ‘But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land, those you allow to remain will become barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. 4cross south of Scorpion Pass, continue on to Zin and go south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it will go to Hazar Addar and over to Azmon,

5where it will turn, join the Wadi of Egypt and end at the Mediterranean Sea.

6“ ‘Your western boundary will be the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This will be your boundary on the west. 7“ ‘For your northern boundary, run a line from the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Hor 13Moses commanded the Israelites: “Assign this land by lot as an inheritance. The LORD has ordered that it be given to the nine-and-a-half tribes, 16The LORD said to Moses, 17“These are the names of the men who are to assign the land for you as an inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun. 18And appoint one leader from each tribe to help assign the land.

19These are their names: Caleb son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah;

21Elidad son of Kislon, from the tribe of Benjamin;

22Bukki son of Jogli, the leader from the tribe of Dan;

8The towns you give the Levites from the land the Israelites possess are to be given in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: Take many towns from a tribe that has many, but few from one that has few.” 11select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. 12They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly. 13These six towns you give will be your cities of refuge. 14Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge. 16“ ‘If anyone strikes someone a fatal blow with an iron object, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death. 19The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when the avenger comes upon the murderer, the avenger shall put the murderer to death. 20If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at them intentionally so that they die 23or, without seeing them, drops on them a stone heavy enough to kill them, and they die, then since that other person was not an enemy and no harm was intended,

25The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send the accused back to the city of refuge to which they fled. The accused must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil. 26“ ‘But if the accused ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which they fled

30“ ‘Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

32“ ‘Do not accept a ransom for anyone who has fled to a city of refuge and so allow them to go back and live on their own land before the death of the high priest. 33“ ‘Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. 34Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the LORD, dwell among the Israelites.’ ”

Inheritance of Zelophehad’s Daughters 1The family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, who were from the clans of the descendants of Joseph, came and spoke before Moses and the leaders, the heads of the Israelite families. 5Then at the LORD ’s command Moses gave this order to the Israelites: “What the tribe of the descendants of Joseph is saying is right. 7No inheritance in Israel is to pass from one tribe to another, for every Israelite shall keep the tribal inheritance of their ancestors. 11Zelophehad’s daughters—Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milkah and Noah—married their cousins on their father’s side.

12They married within the clans of the descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in their father’s tribe and clan.