Chronology of Bemidbar 1 – 10/2

Chronology of Bemidbar 1 – 10

Exegetical Approaches

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Chronological

The events of Chapters 1-10 are told chronologically.

All in Second Month

Though Chapters 7 and 9 refer to events of the first month their main focus is events of the second month.  As such, Bemidbar 1-10 all takes place in one month, in the order written.

Sources:AbarbanelBemidbar 7:1Bemidbar 9:1About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel

Census in First Year

Though the censuses of Chapters 1-4 are dated to the second month, they were really part of an extended process which began when the Tabernacle was being constructed.  As such, the book of Bemidbar really opens with events of the first year, and then continues in order.

Sources:U. CassutoShemot 38:25About Prof. Umberto Cassuto

Not Chronological

The events of Bemidbar 1-10 are not written in the order in which they occurred.

Later Events Told Earlier

The main storyline of Sefer Bemidbar begins in Chapter 9, in the first month of the second year.  Chapters 1-8 contain material dated later since they are thematically related to the Mishkan and really simply form an appendix to the Books of Shemot and Vayikra.

Sources:RambanBemidbar 7:1Bemidbar 9:1About R. Moshe b. Nachman

Earlier Events Told Later

Certain events are told out of order in order to show the nation in the best possible light.

Sources:RashiBemidbar 7:1Bemidbar 7:2Bemidbar 9:1About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, SefornoBemidbar 9:1About R. Ovadyah Seforno