The Book of Numbers

The book of numbers begins in Mount Sinai, where the Israelites received God’s commandments through Moses and his spokesperson, Aaron. They are tasked to take possession of the Promise Land. In the first book of Numbers, God orders that the people be numbered before commencing their journey towards the Promise Land.

In the second book of Numbers, God orders that the people be assigned to their tents according to their tribe, and its respective leader. Numbers 2:3-9 reads:

“On the east, toward the sunrise, the divisions of the camp of Judah are to encamp under their standard. The leader of the people of Judah is Nahshon son of Amminadab.  His division numbers 74,600. The tribe of Issachar will camp next to them. The leader of the people of Issachar is Nethanel son of Zuar. His division numbers 54,400.The tribe of Zebulun will be next. The leader of the people of Zebulun is Eliab son of Helon. His division numbers 57,400. All the men assigned to the camp of Judah, according to their divisions, number 186,400. They will set out first.”

The passage above talks about the men who were made leaders by God, and the thousands of other people who have been assigned to them. It is evident that these leaders had a great amount of followers –some reaching almost two hundred thousand heads!