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 on second month.  As such, all of the events of Bemidbar 1-10 occur in the second month of the second year.

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

Census in first year

The census described in Bemidbar 1 was part of an extended process which began when the Tabernacle was being constructed and continued through the second month of the second year.  As such, the book of Bemidbar opens with events of the first year and 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 form an appendix to Shemot and Vayikra, containing variously dated material all thematically related to the Mishkan.

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