• Torah (T): Bemidbar (Numbers) 1:1 – 2:13
• Prophets (P): Hosea 2:14-23
• Apostolic (A): Matthew 17:24-27
• Additional (ADD): 2 Esdras 9:1-37

RELATED SCRIPTURES

• Exodus 7:3-5; Exodus 12:17, 40-42, 51 (T)
• Exodus 30:11-16; Numbers 26:1-4, 63-65 (T)
• 2 Samuel 24:1-10; 1 Chronicles 21:1-8 (T)
• John 6:26-51 (T)
• Genesis 2:1 (T)
• Job 38:6-7 (T)
• Psalms 147:1-4 (T)
• Judges 5:1-31 (T)
• Genesis 15:5; Exodus 32:11-14; Deuteronomy 1:9-11; Deuteronomy 10:22; Deuteronomy 28:62 (T)
• Joshua 5:13-15 (T)
• Isaiah 31:1-5 (T)
• Deuteronomy 4:15-20; Deuteronomy 17:2-5 (T)
• Deuteronomy 24:5 (T)
• Deuteronomy 20:1-20 (T)
• Leviticus 27:1-8 (T)
• 1 Samuel 6:1-21 (T)
• 2 Samuel 6:1-23 (T)

RELATED ADDITIONAL REA.D.INGS

• Ordinances 4Q159 Fragment 1 Column 2 (T)
• Numbers 1:1 – 2:13 from the Jerusalem Targum aka Targum Pseudo-Jonathan (T)
• Antiquities of the Jews by Flavius Josephus 2.15.2-4, 2.16.3-6; 3.8.2; 3.12.4-5 (T)

Note: (T) means the verse relates to that week’s Torah portion. (P) means the verse relates to that week’s Prophets portion. (A) means the verse relates to that week’s Apostolic portion. (ADD) means the verse relates to that week’s Additional portion.

Torah Portion (T)

1:1 YHWH spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the Appointed Tent, on the first day of the second new moon, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “Lift up the head of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, every male, [according to their skull],^(MTT) 3 from a son of twenty years and upward, all who are able to go out to the army in Israel. You and Aaron will register them by their divisions. 4 With you there will be a man of every tribe, each one head of his fathers’ house. 5 These are the names of the men who will stand with you: Of Reuben: Elizur the son of Shedeur. 6 Of Shimon: Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 7 Of Judah: Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 8 Of Issachar: Nethanel the son of Zuar. 9 Of Zebulun: Eliab the son of Helon. 10 Of the sons of Joseph: of Ephraim: Elishama the son of Ammihud; of Manasseh: Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 11 Of Benjamin: Abidan the son of Gideoni. 12 Of Dan: Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 13 Of Asher: Pagiel the son of Ochran. 14 Of Gad: Eliasaph the son of [Deuel].^(LXX)(Syr) 15 Of Naphtali: Ahira the son of Enan.” 16 These are those called of the congregation, lifted up of the tribes of their fathers; they were the heads of the thousands of Israel. 17 Moses and Aaron took these men who are [pierced through]^(MTT) by name. 18 They assembled all the congregation together on the first day of the second new moon; and they declared their births by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, according to their skull. 19 As YHWH commanded Moses, so he registered them in the wilderness of Sinai. 20 The sons of Reuben, Israel’s firstborn, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, according to their skull, every male from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 21 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Reuben, were forty-six thousand five hundred. 22 Of the sons of Shimon, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, those who were registered of it, according to the number of the names, according to their skull, every male from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 23 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Shimon, were fifty-nine thousand three hundred. 24 Of the sons of Gad, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 25 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Gad, were forty-five thousand six hundred fifty. 26 Of the sons of Judah, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 27 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Judah, were seventy-four thousand six hundred. 28 Of the sons of Issachar, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 29 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Issachar, were fifty-four thousand four hundred. 30 Of the sons of Zebulun, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 31 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Zebulun, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred. 32 Of the sons of Joseph: of the sons of Ephraim, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 33 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Ephraim, were forty thousand five hundred. 34 Of the sons of Manasseh, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 35 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Manasseh, were thirty-two thousand two hundred. 36 Of the sons of Benjamin, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 37 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Benjamin, were thirty-five thousand four hundred. 38 Of the sons of Dan, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 39 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Dan, were sixty-two thousand seven hundred. 40 Of the sons of Asher, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 41 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Asher, were forty-one thousand five hundred. 42 Of the sons of Naphtali, their births, by their families, by their fathers’ houses, according to the number of the names, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to war: 43 those who were registered of them, of the tribe of Naphtali, were fifty-three thousand four hundred. 44 These are those who were registered, whom Moses and Aaron registered, and the twelve men who were lifted up of Israel, each one for his fathers’ house. 45 So all those who were registered of the sons of Israel by their fathers’ houses, from a son of twenty years and upward, all who were able to go out to the army in Israel— 46 all those who were registered were six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty. 47 But the Levites after the tribe of their fathers were not registered among them. 48 For YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 49 “Only the tribe of Levi you will not register, neither will you take a sum of them among the sons of Israel; 50 but appoint the Levites over the Tabernacle of the Witness, and over all its furnishings, and over all that belongs to it. They will carry the tabernacle and all its furnishings; and they will take care of it, and will encamp around it. 51 When the tabernacle is to move, the Levites will take it down; and when the tabernacle is to be set up, the Levites will set it up. The stranger inside will be put to death. 52 The sons of Israel will pitch their tents, every man by his own camp, and every man by his own banner, according to their divisions. 53 But the Levites will encamp around the Tabernacle of the Witness, that a [splinter will not exist upon]^(MTT) the congregation of the sons of Israel. The Levites will be responsible for the Tabernacle of the Witness.” 54 Thus the sons of Israel did. According to all that YHWH commanded Moses, so they did.

2:1 YHWH spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “The sons of Israel will encamp every man by his own banner, with the sign of their fathers’ houses. They will encamp around the Appointed Tent at a distance from it.” 3 Those who encamp on the east side toward the sunrise will be of the banner of the camp of Judah, according to their divisions. The lifted up of the sons of Judah will be Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 4 His division, and those who were registered of them, were seventy-four thousand six hundred. 5 Those who encamp next to him will be the tribe of Issachar. The lifted up of the sons of Issachar will be Nethanel the son of Zuar. 6 His division, and those who were registered of it, were fifty-four thousand four hundred. 7 [Those who camp next to him will be]^(LXX) The tribe of Zebulun: the lifted up of the sons of Zebulun will be Eliab the son of Helon. 8 His division, and those who were registered of it, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred. 9 All who were registered of the camp of Judah were one hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred, according to their divisions. They will set out first. 10 “On the south side will be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their divisions. The lifted up of the sons of Reuben will be Elizur the son of Shedeur. 11 His division, and those who were registered of it, were forty-six thousand five hundred. 12 “Those who encamp next to him will be the tribe of Shimon. The lifted up of the sons of Shimon will be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 13 His division, and those who were registered of them, were fifty-nine thousand three hundred.

Prophets Portion (P)

2:14 “Therefore behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak to her heart. 15 I will give her vineyards from there, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope; and she will respond there as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt. 16 It will be in that day,” says YHWH, “that you will call me ‘Ishi,’ and no longer call me ‘Ba’ali.’ 17 For I will take away the names of the masters out of her mouth, and they will no longer be mentioned by name. 18 In that day I will cut a covenant for them with the animals of the field, and with the birds of the heavens, and with the creeping things of the ground. I will break the bow, the sword, and the battle out of the land, and will make them lie down safely. 19 I will betroth you to me forever. Yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, in justice, in loving kindness, and in compassion. 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness; and you will know YHWH. 21 It will happen in that day, that I will respond,” says YHWH. “I will respond to the heavens, and they will respond to the land; 22 and the land will respond to the grain, and the new wine, and the oil; and they will respond to Jezreel. 23 I will sow her to me in the land; and I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; and I will tell those who were not my people, ‘You are my people;’ and they will say, ‘You are My Elohim!’ ”

Apostolic Portion (A)

Matthew 17:24-27

17:24 When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your rabbi pay the didrachma?” 25 He said, “Yes.” When he came into the house, Yeshua anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Shimon? From whom do the kings of the land receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?” 26 [When he said],^(mss) “From strangers.” Yeshua said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt. 27 But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”

Additional Portion (ADD)

2 Esdras, consisting of chapters 3-14, (also called 4 Esdras, Latin Esdras, or Latin Ezra) is the name of a book in many English versions of the Bible. Its authorship is ascribed to Ezra, a scribe and priest of the 5th century B.C., although modern scholarship places its composition between 70 and 218 A.D.. It is reckoned among the apocrypha by Roman Catholics, Protestants, and most Eastern Orthodox Christians. The Ethiopian Church considers 4 Ezra to be canonical, written during the Babylonian captivity, and calls it “Izra Sutuel” (ዕዝራ ሱቱኤል). It was also often cited by the Fathers of the Church. In the Eastern Armenian tradition it is called 3 Ezra.

9:1 He answered me, “Measure diligently within yourself. When you see that a certain part of the signs are past, which have been told you beforehand, 2 then will you understand that it is the very time in which the Most High will visit the world which was made by him. 3 When earthquakes, tumult of peoples, plans of nations, wavering of leaders, and confusion of princes are seen in the world, 4 then will you understand that the Most High spoke of these things from the days that were of old, from the beginning. 5 For just as with everything that is made in the world, the beginning is evident and the end manifest, 6 so also are the times of the Most High: the beginnings are manifest in wonders and mighty works, and the end in effects and signs. 7 Everyone who will be saved, and will be able to escape by his works, or by faith by which they have believed, 8 will be preserved from the said perils, and will see my salvation in my land and within my borders, which I have sanctified for myself from the beginning. 9 Then those who now have abused my ways will be amazed. Those who have cast them away despitefully will live in torments. 10 For as many as in their life have received benefits, and yet have not known me, 11 and as many as have scorned my law, while they still had liberty and when an opportunity to repent was open to them, didn’t understand, but despised me, 12 must know me in torment after death. 13 Therefore don’t be curious any longer how the impious will be punished, but inquire how the righteous will be saved, those who the world belongs to, and for whom the world was created.” 14 I answered, 15 “I have said before, and now speak, and will say it again hereafter, that there are more of those who perish than of those who will be saved, 16 like a wave is greater than a drop.” 17 He answered me, “Just as the field is, so also the seed. As the flowers are, so are the colors. As the work is, so also is the judgment on it. As is the farmer, so also is his threshing floor. For there was a time in the world 18 when I was preparing for those who now live, before the world was made for them to dwell in. Then no one spoke against me, 19 for no one existed. But now those who are created in this world that is prepared, both with a table that doesn’t fail and a law which is unsearchable, are corrupted in their ways. 20 So I considered my world, and behold, it was destroyed, and my land, and behold, it was in peril, because of the plans that had come into it. 21 I saw and spared them, but not greatly, and saved myself a grape out of a cluster, and a plant out of a great forest. 22 Let the multitude perish then, which were born in vain. Let my grape be saved, and my plant, for I have made them perfect with great labor. 23 Nevertheless, if you will wait seven more days—however don’t fast in them, 24 but go into a field of flowers, where no house is built, and eat only of the flowers of the field, and you will taste no flesh, and will drink no wine, but will eat flowers only— 25 and pray to the Most High continually, then I will come and talk with you.” 26 So I went my way, just as he commanded me, into the field which is called Ardat. There I sat among the flowers, and ate of the herbs of the field, and this food satisfied me. 27 It came to pass after seven days that I lay on the grass, and my heart was troubled again, like before. 28 My mouth was opened, and I began to speak before the Lord Most High, and said, 29 “O Lord, you showed yourself among us, to our fathers in the wilderness, when they went out of Egypt, and when they came into the wilderness, where no man treads and that bears no fruit. 30 You said, ‘Hear me, O Israel. Heed my words, O seed of Jacob. 31 For behold, I sow my law in you, and it will bring forth fruit in you, and you will be glorified in it forever.’ 32 But our fathers, who received the law, didn’t keep it, and didn’t observe the statutes. The fruit of the law didn’t perish, for it couldn’t, because it was yours. 33 Yet those who received it perished, because they didn’t guard the thing that was sown in them. 34 Behold, it is a custom that when the ground has received seed, or the sea a ship, or any vessel food or drink, and when it comes to pass that that which is sown, or that which is launched, 35 or the things which have been received, should come to an end, these come to an end, but the receptacles remain. Yet with us, it doesn’t happen that way. 36 For we who have received the law will perish by sin, along with our heart which received it. 37 Notwithstanding the law doesn’t perish, but remains in its honor.”

Related Scriptures

Exodus 7:3 I will strengthen Pharaoh’s heart, and multiply my signs and my wonders in the land of Egypt. 4 But Pharaoh will not listen to you, so I will lay my hand on Egypt, and bring out my armies, my people the sons of Israel, out of the land of Egypt by great judgments. 5 The Egyptians will know that I am YHWH when I stretch out my hand on Egypt, and bring the sons of Israel out from among them.”

Exodus 12:17 You will guard the feast of unleavened bread; for in this same day I have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you will observe this day throughout your generations by a statute forever…40 Now the time that the sons of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. 41 At the end of four hundred thirty years, to the day, all of the armies of YHWH went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night to be much observed to YHWH for bringing them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night of YHWH, to be much observed by all the sons of Israel throughout their generations…51 That same day, YHWH brought the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

Exodus 30:11 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “When you lift up the head of the sons of Israel, according to those who are registered among them, then each man will give an atonement for his soul to YHWH when you register them, that there be no plague among them when you register them. 13 They will give this, everyone who passes over to those who are registered, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs); half a shekel for an offering to YHWH. 14 Everyone who passes over to those who are registered, from a son of twenty years and upward, will give the offering to YHWH. 15 The rich will not give more, and the helpless will not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the offering of YHWH, to make atonement for your souls. 16 You will take the atonement money from the sons of Israel, and will appoint it for the service of the Appointed Tent; that it may be a memorial for the sons of Israel before YHWH, to make atonement for your souls.”

Numbers 26:1 After the plague, YHWH spoke to Moses and to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, saying, 2 “Lift up the head of all the congregation of the sons of Israel, from a son of twenty years and upward, by their fathers’ houses, all who are able to go out to the army in Israel.” 3 Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, 4 “from the son of twenty years and upward, as YHWH commanded Moses and the sons of Israel.” These are those who came out of the land of Egypt…63 These are the registered ones by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who counted the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64 But among these there was not a man of them who were counted by Moses and Aaron the priest, who counted the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For YHWH had said of them, “They will surely die in the wilderness.” There was not a man left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

2 Samuel 24:1 Again the anger of YHWH burned against Israel, and he moved David against them, saying, “Go, reckon Israel and Judah.” 2 The king said to Joab the captain of the army, who was with him, “Now go back and forth through all the tribes of Israel, from Dan to Be’ersheba, and record the people, that I may know the sum of the people.” 3 Joab said to the king, “Now may YHWH your Elohim add to the people, however many they may be, one hundred times; and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king delight in this thing?” 4 Notwithstanding, the king’s word prevailed against Joab and against the captains of the army. Joab and the captains of the army went out from the face of the king to register the people of Israel. 5 They passed over the Jordan and encamped in Aroer, on the right side of the city that is in the middle of the valley of Gad, and to Jazer; 6 then they came to Gilead and to the land of Tahtim Hodshi; and they came to Dan Jaan and around to Sidon, 7 and came to the stronghold of Tyre, and to all the cities of the Hivites and of the Canaanites; and they went out to the south of Judah, at Be’ersheba. 8 So when they had gone back and forth through all the land, they came to Jerusalem at the end of nine new moons and twenty days. 9 Joab gave up the sum of the recording of the people to the king; and there were in Israel eight hundred thousand valiant men who drew the sword, and the men of Judah were five hundred thousand men. 10 David’s heart struck him after he had recorded the people. David said to YHWH, “I have sinned greatly in that which I have done. But now, YHWH, put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant; for I have done very foolishly.”

1 Chronicles 21:1 Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to reckon Israel. 2 David said to Joab and to the princes of the people, “Go, record Israel from Be’ersheba to Dan; and bring me word, that I may know how many there are.” 3 Joab said, “May YHWH make his people a hundred times as many as they are. But, my lord the king, aren’t they all my lord’s servants? Why does my lord require this thing? Why will he be a cause of guilt to Israel?” 4 Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel, then came to Jerusalem. 5 Joab gave the sum of the registration of the people to David. All those of Israel were one million one hundred thousand men who drew a sword; and in Judah were four hundred seventy thousand men who drew a sword. 6 But he didn’t register Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab. 7 Elohim was displeased with this thing; therefore he struck Israel. 8 David said to Elohim, “I have sinned greatly, in that I have done this thing. But now put away, I beg you, the iniquity of your servant, for I have done very foolishly.”

6:26 Yeshua answered them, “Amen, amen, I tell you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. 27 Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For Elohim the Father has sealed him.” 28 They said therefore to him, “What must we do, that we may work the works of Elohim?” 29 Yeshua answered them, “This is the work of Elohim, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” 30 They said therefore to him, “What then do you do for a sign, that we may see and believe you? What work do you do? 31 Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of the heavens to eat.’ ” (cf. Psalms 78:24-25) 32 Yeshua therefore said to them, “Amen, amen, I tell you, it wasn’t Moses who gave you the bread out of the heavens, but my Father gives you the true bread out of the heavens. 33 For the bread of Elohim is that which comes down out of the heavens and gives life to the world.” 34 They said therefore to him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” 35 Yeshua said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don’t believe. 37 All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out. 38 For I have come down from the heavens, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. 39 This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. 40 This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” 41 The Judeans therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, “I am the bread which came down out of the heavens.” 42 They said, “Isn’t this Yeshua, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he say, ‘I have come down out of the heavens?’ ” 43 Therefore Yeshua answered them, “Don’t murmur among yourselves. 44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up in the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets, ‘They will all be taught by Elohim.’ (cf. Isaiah 54:13) Therefore everyone who hears from the Father and has learned, comes to me. 46 Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from Elohim. He has seen the Father. 47 Amen, amen, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. 50 This is the bread which comes down out of the heavens, that anyone may eat of it and not die. 51 I am the living bread which came down out of the heavens. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”

2:1 The heavens, the land, and all their armies were finished.

38:6 What were its foundations fastened on? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of Elohim shouted for joy?

147:1 Praise Yah, for it is good to sing praises to our Elohim; for it is pleasant and fitting to praise him. 2 YHWH builds up Jerusalem. He gathers together the outcasts of Israel. 3 He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds. 4 He reckons the number of the stars. He calls names to all of them.

5:1 Then Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam sang on that day, saying, 2 “Because the leaders took the lead in Israel, because the people offered themselves willingly, be blessed, YHWH! 3 “Hear, you kings! Give ear, you princes! I, I will sing to YHWH. I will sing praise to YHWH, the Elohim of Israel. 4 “YHWH, when you went out of Seir, when you marched out of the field of Edom, the land trembled, the heavens also dropped. Yes, the clouds dropped water. 5 The mountains quaked at YHWH’s face, this Sinai at the face of YHWH, the Elohim of Israel. 6 “In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied. The travelers walked through byways. 7 The rulers ceased in Israel. They ceased until I, Deborah, arose; Until I arose a mother in Israel. 8 They chose new elohim. Then war was in the gates. Was there a shield or spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? 9 My heart is toward the governors of Israel, who offered themselves willingly among the people. Bless YHWH! 10 “Speak, you who ride on white asses, you who sit on rich carpets, and you who walk by the way. 11 Far from the noise of archers, in the places of drawing water, there they will rehearse YHWH’s righteous acts, the righteous acts of his rule in Israel. “Then the people of YHWH went down to the gates. 12 ‘Awake, awake, Deborah! Awake, awake, utter a song! Arise, Barak, and lead away your captives, you son of Abinoam.’ 13 “Then a remnant of the nobles and the people came down. YHWH came down for me against the mighty. 14 Those whose root is in Amalek came out of Ephraim, after you, Benjamin, among your peoples. Governors come down out of Machir. Those who handle the marshal’s staff came out of Zebulun. 15 The princes of Issachar were with Deborah. As was Issachar, so was Barak. They rushed into the valley at his feet. By the watercourses of Reuben, there were great resolves of heart. 16 Why did you sit among the sheepfolds? To hear the whistling for the flocks? At the watercourses of Reuben, there were great searchings of heart. 17 Gilead lived beyond the Jordan. Why did Dan remain in ships? Asher sat still at the haven of the sea, and lived by his creeks. 18 Zebulun was a people that jeopardized their lives to the death; Naphtali also, on the high places of the field. 19 “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver. 20 From the heavens the stars fought. From their courses, they fought against Sisera. 21 The river Kishon swept them away, that ancient river, the river Kishon. My soul, march on with strength. 22 Then the horse hoofs stamped because of the prancing, the prancing of their strong ones. 23 ‘Curse Meroz,’ said the angel of YHWH. ‘Curse bitterly its inhabitants, because they didn’t come to help YHWH, to help YHWH against the mighty.’ 24 “Jael will be blessed above women, the woman of Heber the Kenite; blessed will she be above women in the tent. 25 He asked for water. She gave him milk. She brought him butter in a lordly dish. 26 She put her hand to the tent peg, and her right hand to the workmen’s hammer. With the hammer she struck Sisera. She struck through his head. Yes, she pierced and struck through his temples. 27 At her feet he bowed, he fell, he lay. At her feet he bowed, he fell. Where he bowed, there he fell down dead. 28 “Through the window she looked out, and cried: Sisera’s mother looked through the lattice. ‘Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why do the wheels of his chariots wait?’ 29 Her wise ladies answered her, Yes, she returned answer to herself, 30 ‘Have they not found, have they not divided the plunder? A lady, two ladies to every man; to Sisera a plunder of dyed garments, a plunder of dyed garments embroidered, of dyed garments embroidered on both sides, on the necks of the plunder?’ 31 “So let all your enemies perish, YHWH, but let those who love him be as the sun when it rises in its strength.” Then the land had rest forty years.

Genesis 15:5 YHWH brought him outside, and said, “Look now toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” He said to Abram, “So your seed will be.”

Exodus 32:11 Moses begged YHWH his Elohim, and said, “YHWH, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, that you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand? 12 Why should the Egyptians talk, saying, ‘He brought them out for evil, to kill them in the mountains, and to consume them from the surface of the land?’ Turn from your fierce wrath, and turn away from this evil against your people. 13 Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, your servants, to whom you swore by your own self, and said to them, ‘I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens, and all this land that I have spoken of I will give to your seed, and they will inherit it forever.’ ” 14 So YHWH turned away from the evil which he said he would do to his people.

Deuteronomy 1:9 I spoke to you at that time, saying, “I am not able to bear you myself alone. 10 YHWH your Elohim has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the heavens for multitude. 11 May YHWH, the Elohim of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, as he has promised you!

Deuteronomy 10:22 Your fathers went down into Egypt with seventy persons; and now YHWH your Elohim has made you as the stars of the heavens for multitude.

Deuteronomy 28:62 You will be left few in number, even though you were as the stars of the heavens for multitude, because you didn’t listen to YHWH your Elohim’s voice.

5:13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?” 14 He said, “No; but I have come now as commander of YHWH’s army.” Joshua fell on his face to the land, and did bow down, and asked him, “What does my lord say to his servant?” 15 The prince of YHWH’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals, for the place on which you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.

31:1 Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, and rely on horses, and trust in chariots because they are many, and in horsemen because they are very strong, but they don’t look to the Holy One of Israel, and they don’t seek YHWH! 2 Yet he also is wise, and will bring disaster, and will not call back his words, but will arise against the house of the evildoers, and against the help of those who work iniquity. 3 Now the Egyptians are men, and not Elohim; and their horses flesh, and not spirit. When YHWH stretches out his hand, both he who helps will stumble, and he who is helped will fall, and they all will be consumed together. 4 For YHWH says to me, “As the lion and the young lion growling over his prey, if a multitude of shepherds is called together against him, will not be dismayed at their voice, nor abase himself for their noise, so YHWH of Armies will come down to fight on Mount Zion and on its heights. 5 As birds hovering, so YHWH of Armies will protect Jerusalem. He will protect and deliver it. He will pass over and preserve it.”

Deuteronomy 4:15 Be very careful, for you saw no kind of form on the day that YHWH spoke to you in Horeb out of the middle of the fire, 16 lest you corrupt yourselves, and make yourself a carved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17 the likeness of any animal that is on the land, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the heavens, 18 the likeness of anything that treads on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the land; 19 and lest you lift up your eyes to the heavens, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the army of the heavens, you are drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which YHWH your Elohim has allotted to all the peoples under all the heavens. 20 But YHWH has taken you, and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be to him a people of inheritance, as it is today.

Deuteronomy 17:2 If there is found among you, within any of your gates which YHWH your Elohim gives you, a man or woman who does that which is evil in YHWH your Elohim’s sight in transgressing his covenant, 3 and has gone and served other elohim and did bow down to them, or the sun, or the moon, or any of the stars of the heavens, which I have not commanded, 4 and you are told, and you have heard of it, then you will inquire diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination is done in Israel, 5 then you will bring out that man or that woman who has done this evil thing to your gates, that same man or woman; and you will stone them to death with stones.

24:5 When a man takes a new woman, he will not go out in the army, neither will he be assigned any business. He will be free at home one year, and will cheer his wife whom he has taken.

20:1 When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses, chariots, and a people more numerous than you, you will not be afraid of them; for YHWH your Elohim, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, is with you. 2 It will be, when you draw near to the battle, that the priest will approach and speak to the people, 3 and will tell them, “Hear, Israel, you draw near today to battle against your enemies. Don’t let your heart faint! Don’t be afraid, nor tremble, neither be scared of them; 4 for YHWH your Elohim is he who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.” 5 The officers will speak to the people, saying, “What man is there who has built a new house, and has not dedicated it? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man dedicate it. 6 What man is there who has planted a vineyard, and has not used its fruit? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man use its fruit. 7 What man is there who has betrothed to a woman, and has not taken her? Let him go and return to his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.” 8 The officers will speak further to the people, and they will say, “What man is there who is fearful and faint-hearted? Let him go and return to his house, lest his brother’s heart melt as his heart.” 9 It will be, when the officers have finished speaking to the people, that they will appoint captains of armies at the head of the people. 10 When you draw near to a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace to it. 11 It will be, if it gives you answer of peace and opens to you, then it will be that all the people who are found therein will become forced laborers to you, and will serve you. 12 If it will make no peace with you, but will make war against you, then you will besiege it. 13 When YHWH your Elohim delivers it into your hand, you will strike every male of it with the edge of the sword; 14 but the women, the little ones, the livestock, and all that is in the city, all its plunder, you will take for plunder for yourself. You may use the plunder of your enemies, which YHWH your Elohim has given you. 15 Thus you will do to all the cities which are very far off from you, which are not of the cities of these nations. 16 But of the cities of these peoples that YHWH your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, you will save alive nothing that breathes; 17 but you will utterly destroy them: the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, as YHWH your Elohim has commanded you; 18 that they not teach you to follow all their abominations, which they have done for their elohim; so would you sin against YHWH your Elohim. 19 When you will besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, you will not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; for you may eat of them. You will not cut them down, for is the tree of the field man, that it should be besieged by you? 20 Only the trees that you know are not trees for food, you will destroy and cut them down. You will build bulwarks against the city that makes war with you, until it falls.

27:1 YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the sons of Israel, and say to them, ‘A man that will perform a vow, by your valuation, souls belong to YHWH. 3 Your valuation of a male from a son of twenty years to a son of sixty years will be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 4 If she is a female, then your valuation will be thirty shekels. 5 If from a son of a son of five years to a son of twenty years, then your valuation will be for a male twenty shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 6 If from a son of a new moon to a son of five years, then your valuation will be for a male five shekels of silver, and for a female your valuation will be three shekels of silver. 7 If from a son of a son of sixty years and upward; if he is a male, then your valuation will be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 8 If he will be low from your valuation, then he will be set before the priest, and the priest will assign a value to him. The priest will value by the mouth of what the hand making a vow will reach.

6:1 the ark of YHWH was in the country of the Philistines seven new moons. 2 The Philistines called for the priests and the diviners, saying, “What will we do with the ark of YHWH? Show us how we should send it to its place.” 3 They said, “If you send away the ark of the Elohim of Israel, don’t send it empty; but by all means return a trespass offering to him. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand is not removed from you.” 4 Then they said, “What should the trespass offering be which we will return to him?” They said, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice, for the number of the lords of the Philistines; for one plague was on you all, and on your lords. 5 Therefore you will make images of your tumors and images of your mice that mar the land; and you will give glory to the Elohim of Israel. Perhaps he will release his hand from you, from your elohim, and from your land. 6 Why then do you make your hearts heavy as the Egyptians and Pharaoh made their hearts heavy? When he had worked wonderfully among them, didn’t they let the people go, and they departed? 7 “Now therefore take and prepare yourselves a new cart and two milk cows on which there has come no yoke; and tie the cows to the cart, and bring their calves home from them; 8 and take the ark of YHWH and lay it on the cart. Put the jewels of gold, which you return him for a trespass offering, in a box by its side; and send it away, that it may go. 9 Behold, if it goes up by the way of its own border to Beth Shemesh, then he has done us this great evil; but if not, then we will know that it is not his hand that struck us. It was a chance that happened to us.” 10 The men did so, and took two milk cows and tied them to the cart, and shut up their calves at home. 11 They put the ark of YHWH on the cart, and the box with the golden mice and the images of their tumors. 12 The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh. They went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left; and the lords of the Philistines went after them to the border of Beth Shemesh. 13 The people of Beth Shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley; and they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, and rejoiced to see it. 14 The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh, and stood there, where there was a great stone. Then they split the wood of the cart and offered up the cows for a burnt offering to YHWH. 15 The Levites took down the ark of YHWH and the box that was with it, in which the jewels of gold were, and put them on the great stone; and the men of Beth Shemesh offered burnt offerings and slaughtered slaughters the same day to YHWH. 16 When the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day. 17 These are the golden tumors which the Philistines returned for a trespass offering to YHWH: for Ashdod one, for Gaza one, for Ashkelon one, for Gath one, for Ekron one; 18 and the golden mice, according to the number of all the cities of the Philistines belonging to the five lords, both of fortified cities and of country villages, to the great stone on which they set down the ark of YHWH. That stone remains to this day in the field of Joshua of Beth Shemesh. 19 He struck of the men of Beth Shemesh, because they had looked into the ark of YHWH, he struck fifty thousand seventy of the men. Then the people mourned, because YHWH had struck the people with a great slaughter. 20 The men of Beth Shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before YHWH, this holy Elohim? To whom will he go up from us?” 21 They sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath Jearim, saying, “The Philistines have brought back the ark of YHWH. Come down and bring it up to yourselves.”

6:1 David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale Judah, to bring up from there Elohim’s ark, which is called by the Name, the name of YHWH of Armies who sits above the keruvim. 3 They set Elohim’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 They brought it out of Abinadab’s house which was in the hill, with Elohim’s ark; and Ahio went before the ark. 5 David and all the house of Israel played before YHWH with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with castanets, and with cymbals. 6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for Elohim’s ark and took hold of it, for the cattle stumbled. 7 the anger of YHWH burned against Uzzah, and Elohim struck him there for his error; and he died there by Elohim’s ark. 8 David was displeased because YHWH had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah to this day. 9 David was afraid of YHWH that day; and he said, “How could the ark of YHWH come to me?” 10 So David would not move the ark of YHWH to be with him in David’s city; but David carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house. 11 the ark of YHWH remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three new moons; and YHWH blessed Obed-Edom and all his house. 12 King David was told, “YHWH has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that belongs to him, because of Elohim’s ark.” So David went and brought up Elohim’s ark from the house of Obed-Edom into David’s city with joy. 13 When those who bore the ark of YHWH had gone six paces, he slaughtered an ox and a fattened calf. 14 David danced before YHWH with all his might; and David was clothed in a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of YHWH with shouting and with the voice of the shofar. 16 As the ark of YHWH came into David’s city, Michal the daughter of Shaul looked out through the window and saw king David leaping and dancing before YHWH; and she despised him in her heart. 17 They brought in the ark of YHWH, and set it in its place in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before YHWH. 18 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of YHWH of Armies. 19 He gave to all the people, among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed, each to his own house. 20 Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Shaul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!” 21 David said to Michal, “It was before YHWH, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of YHWH, over Israel. Therefore I will celebrate before YHWH. 22 I will be yet more undignified than this, and will be worthless in my own sight. But the maids of whom you have spoken will honor me.” 23 Michal the daughter of Shaul had no child to the day of her death.

Related Additional Readings​

“…the legislation contained in 4Q159 was not intended as a simple repetition of already known biblical law, but as an affirmation of specific biblical laws being interpreted in a new way. Despite the fact that STRUGNELL objects to ALLEGRO’s title, “Ordinances”, as being too modern, ALLEGRO has correctly perceived that the legislative material in 4Q159 was intended for practical observance by the authors’ audience. Even the more traditional title, “halakhah”), would have its drawbacks, and would be applied to 4Q159 only if one were to understand that the regulations in this text antedate the more codified rabbinic “halakhah” and that, however much the legislation in 4Q159 may have essentially had the force of halakhah it is still not, technically speaking, a collection of halakhot.” – 4Q159: Legislation For an Essene Community Outside of Qumran? by Francis D. Weinert

[… concern]ing [the Ransom:] the money of the valuation which a man gives as ransom for his life will be half [a shekel in accordance with the shekel of the sanctuary]. He will give it only o[nce] in his life. A shekel is twenty gerahs in accordance with [the shekel of the sanctuary]. For the six hundr[e]d thousand, one hundred talents; for the third (i.e., three thousand), half a talent, (which is thirty minas; for the five hundred, five minas]; ‘and for the fifty, one half a mi[n]a, [which is twenty-] five shekels. The total [is six thousand thirty-five and one half of a] mina. [… me]n for ten minas; […] [… fi]ve shekels of silver are a tenth of a [mina…] [… the shekel is equivalent to twenty gerahs in accordance with the shekel of the sanctuary. A hal[f of a shekel is twelve meahs and two zuzim …]

The above excerpt is from Wise, Michael Owen, et al. The Dead Sea Scrolls: a New Translation. HarperSanFrancisco, 2005.

Josephus was born Joseph ben Mattathias in 37 AD in Jerusalem of a priestly and royal family. He excelled in his studies of Jewish law and studied with the Sadducees, Pharisees, and the Essenes, eventually aligning himself with the Pharisees. In 62 AD he went to Rome to free some imprisoned priests. After accomplishing this mission through the intercession of Nero’s wife, Poppaea, he returned to Jerusalem in 65 AD to find the country in revolt against Rome. Josephus shrewdly reinterpreted the Messianic prophecies. He predicted that Vespasian would become the ruler of the ‘entire world’. His prophecy became true in 68 AD when Nero committed suicide and Vespasian became Ceasar. As a result, Josephus was freed; he moved to Rome and became a Roman citizen, taking the Vespasian family name Flavius. Vespasian commissioned Josephus to write a history of the war, which he finished in 78 AD, the Jewish War. His second major work, the Antiquities of the Jews, was completed in 93 AD. The extant manuscripts of the book Antiquities of the Jews contain two references to Yeshua of Nazareth (18.3.3. and 20.9.1.) and one reference to the imprisonment and death of John the Baptist (18.5.2.).

2.15.2. They left Egypt in the new moon Xanthicus, on the fifteenth day of the lunar new moon; four hundred and thirty years after our forefather Abraham came into Canaan, but two hundred and fifteen years only after Jacob removed into Egypt. 28 It was the eightieth year of the age of Moses, and of that of Aaron three more. They also carried out the bones of Joesph with them, as he had charged his sons to do.

2.15.3. But the Egyptians soon repented that the Hebrews were gone; and the king also was mightily concerned that this had been procured by the magic arts of Moses; so they resolved to go after them. Accordingly they took their weapons, and other warlike furniture, and pursued after them, in order to bring them back, if once they overtook them, because they would now have no pretense to pray to Elohim against them, since they had already been permitted to go out; and they thought they should easily overcome them, as they had no armor, and would be weary with their journey; so they made haste in their pursuit, and asked of every one they met which way they were gone. And indeed that land was difficult to be traveled over, not only by armies, but by single persons. Now Moses led the Hebrews this way, that in case the Egyptians should repent and be desirous to pursue after them, they might undergo the punishment of their wickedness, and of the breach of those promises they had made to them. As also he led them this way on account of the Philistines, who had quarreled with them, and hated them of old, that by all means they might not know of their departure, for their country is near to that of Egypt; and thence it was that Moses led them not along the road that tended to the land of the Philistines, but he was desirous that they should go through the desert, that so after a long journey, and after many afflictions, they might enter upon the land of Canaan. Another reason of this was, that Elohim commanded him to bring the people to Mount Sinai, that there they might offer him slaughters. Now when the Egyptians had overtaken the Hebrews, they prepared to fight them, and by their multitude they drove them into a narrow place; for the number that pursued after them was six hundred chariots, with fifty thousand horsemen, and two hundred thousand foot-men, all armed. They also seized on the passages by which they imagined the Hebrews might fly, shutting them up between inaccessible precipices and the sea; for there was [on each side] a [ridge of] mountains that terminated at the sea, which were impassable by reason of their roughness, and obstructed their flight; wherefore they there pressed upon the Hebrews with their army, where [the ridges of] the mountains were closed with the sea; which army they placed at the chops of the mountains, that so they might deprive them of any passage into the plain.

2.15.4. When the Hebrews, therefore, were neither able to bear up, being thus, as it were, besieged, because they wanted provisions, nor saw any possible way of escaping; and if they should have thought of fighting, they had no weapons; they expected a universal destruction, unless they delivered themselves up to the Egyptians. So they laid the blame on Moses, and forgot all the signs that had been wrought by Elohim for the recovery of their freedom; and this so far, that their incredulity prompted them to throw stones at the prophet, while he encouraged them and promised them deliverance; and they resolved that they would deliver themselves up to the Egyptians. So there was sorrow and lamentation among the women and children, who had nothing but destruction before their eyes, while they were encompassed with mountains, the sea, and their enemies, and discerned no way of flying from them.

2.16.3. Now, while these Hebrews made no stay, but went on earnestly, as led by Elohim’s face with them, the Egyptians supposed first that they were distracted, and were going rashly upon manifest destruction. But when they saw that they were going a great way without any harm, and that no obstacle or difficulty fell in their journey, they made haste to pursue them, hoping that the sea would be calm for them also. They put their horse foremost, and went down themselves into the sea. Now the Hebrews, while these were putting on their armor, and therein spending their time, were beforehand with them, and escaped them, and got first over to the land on the other side without any hurt. Whence the others were encouraged, and more courageously pursued them, as hoping no harm would come to them neither: but the Egyptians were not aware that they went into a road made for the Hebrews, and not for others; that this road was made for the deliverance of those in danger, but not for those that were earnest to make use of it for the others’ destruction. As soon, therefore, as ever the whole Egyptian army was within it, the sea flowed to its own place, and came down with a torrent raised by storms of wind, 30 and encompassed the Egyptians. Showers of rain also came down from the heavens, and dreadful thunders and lightning, with flashes of fire. Thunderbolts also were darted upon them. Nor was there any thing which used to be sent by Elohim upon men, as indications of his wrath, which did not happen at this time, for a dark and dismal night oppressed them. And thus did all these men perish, so that there was not one man left to be a messenger of this calamity to the rest of the Egyptians.

2.16.4. But the Hebrews were not able to contain themselves for joy at their wonderful deliverance, and destruction of their enemies; now indeed supposing themselves firmly delivered, when those that would have forced them into slavery were destroyed, and when they found they had Elohim so evidently for their protector. And now these Hebrews having escaped the danger they were in, after this manner, and besides that, seeing their enemies punished in such a way as is never recorded of any other men whomsoever, were all the night employed in singing of hymns, and in mirth. Moses also composed a song unto Elohim, containing his praises, and a thanksgiving for his kindness, in hexameter verse.

2.16.5. As for myself, I have delivered every part of this history as I found it in the sacred books; nor let any one wonder at the strangeness of the narration if a way were discovered to those men of old time, who were free from the wickedness of the modern ages, whether it happened by the will of Elohim or whether it happened of its own accord;—while, for the sake of those that accompanied Alexander, king of Macedonia, who yet lived, comparatively but a little while ago, the Pamphylian Sea retired and afforded them a passage through itself, had no other way to go; I mean, when it was the will of Elohim to destroy the monarchy of the Persians: and this is confessed to be true by all that have written about the actions of Alexander. But as to these events, let every one determine as he pleases.

2.16.6. On the next day Moses gathered together the weapons of the Egyptians, which were brought to the camp of the Hebrews by the current of the sea, and the force of the winds resisting it; and he conjectured that this also happened by Divine Providence, that so they might not be destitute of weapons. So when he had ordered the Hebrews to arm themselves with them, he led them to Mount Sinai, in order to offer slaughter to Elohim, and to render oblations for the salvation of the multitude, as he was charged to do beforehand.

3.8.2. Now Moses commanded them to make use of all the utensils which were more than were necessary to the structure of the tabernacle, for covering the tabernacle itself, the candlestick, and altar of incense, and the other vessels, that they might not be at all hurt when they journeyed, either by the rain, or by the rising of the dust. And when he had gathered the multitude together again, he ordained that they should offer half a shekel for every man, as an oblation to Elohim; which shekel is a piece among the Hebrews, and is equal to four Athenian drachmae. Whereupon they readily obeyed what Moses had commanded; and the number of the offerers was six hundred and five thousand five hundred and fifty. Now this money that was brought by the men that were free, was given by such as were about twenty years old, but under fifty; and what was collected was spent in the uses of the tabernacle.

3.12.4. Now when this settlement of laws seemed to be well over, Moses thought fit at length to take a review of the host, as thinking it proper to settle the affairs of war. So he charged the heads of the tribes, excepting the tribe of Levi, to take an exact account of the number of those that were able to go to war; for as to the Levites, they were holy, and free from all such burdens. Now when the people had been numbered, there were found six hundred thousand that were able to go to war, from twenty to fifty years of age, besides three thousand six hundred and fifty. Instead of Levi, Moses took Manasseh, the son of Joseph, among the heads of tribes; and Ephraim instead of Joseph. It was indeed the desire of Jacob himself to Joseph, that he would give him his sons to be his own by adoption, as I have before related.

3.12.5. When they set up the tabernacle, they received it into the midst of their camp, three of the tribes pitching their tents on each side of it; and roads were cut through the midst of these tents. It was like a well-appointed market; and every thing was there ready for sale in due order; and all sorts of artificers were in the shops; and it resembled nothing so much as a city that sometimes was movable, and sometimes fixed. The priests had the first places about the tabernacle; then the Levites, who, because their whole multitude was reckoned from thirty days old, were twenty-three thousand eight hundred and eighty males; and during the time that the cloud stood over the tabernacle, they thought proper to stay in the same place, as supposing that Elohim there inhabited among them; but when that removed, they journeyed also.