The Encampment of the Twelve Tribes

In the Book of Numbers, God instructed the Israelites that their encampment in the wilderness must follow the correct locations and order around the tabernacle. God assigned a specific location to each Israelite tribe. The tribal tents were to be at a certain distance from the entrance of God’s tabernacle. The tribe of Judah was […]

The Twelve Tribes of Israel

The twelve tribes of Israel originated from the twelve sons of Jacob, the third patriarch of Israel. Jacob’s eleventh son, Joseph, later became the prime minister of Egypt and was a significant figure. He received the birthright, giving him a double portion of the inheritance, which was passed on to his two sons, Ephraim and […]

Introduction and Background to the Book of Numbers

The Book of Numbers (Hebrew: בְּמִדְבַּר‎), the fourth book of the Hebrew Bible and the Torah, gets its name from the two censuses of the Israelites it records. The first took place before they left Mount Sinai, and the second happened 40 years later, just before God’s people entered the Promised Land. The book also […]

Notable Jewish Festivals

While reading the Bible, we often come across traditional Jewish festivals. In the books of the Law, in addition to the service in the tabernacle (including matters related to the tabernacle, priests, and sacrifices), God also established seven festivals for His people, referred to as “the feasts of the Lord” (Leviticus 23:1, 4). God established […]

Sacrifices (The Five Offerings)

God did not ask for sacrifices because He was in need. Sacrifices were not meant to be food for God; in His presence, they served as a symbol. It was not God who truly needed the sacrifices, but humanity. Because of His holiness and justice, God instituted sacrifices as a way to redeem humanity, giving […]

The Azazel of Jesus in Leviticus (The Scapegoat)

“He shall cast lots for the two goats—one lot for the Lord and the other for Azazel. But the goat chosen by lot for Azazel shall be presented alive before the Lord to make atonement, and sent into the wilderness to Azazel” (Leviticus 16:8, 10). The Hebrew word ‘azazel’ (עֲזָאזֵל) is a compound of the […]

Background and Introduction to the Book of Leviticus

In the Old Testament, the Book of Leviticus immediately follows Exodus and is the third book of the Pentateuch. The entire book contains all the statutes and regulations that the priests of the tribe of Levi were required to observe. Consequently, the Jews also refer to this book as “the Priests’ Handbook.” The Hebrew name […]

The Tabernacle of God

The Tabernacle (Hebrew: מִשְׁכָּן, Mishkan, meaning “dwelling place”) was the mobile center for worshipping God that the Israelites built according to His instructions after leaving Egypt and before conquering the land of Canaan. The scriptures concerning the Tabernacle are recorded in chapters 26 and 36 of the Old Testament Book of Exodus. The Tabernacle was […]

The Golden Calf Incident

In Hebrew, the Golden Calf incident is known as “the sin of the calf.” It is first recorded in Exodus 32:4. The golden calf refers to the idol the Israelites made while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Ten Commandments from God. According to the biblical account, the golden calf was made by Aaron […]

The Rock That Provided Water

During the Israelites’ wilderness wanderings after the Exodus, despite all the grace, forbearance, preservation, and revelation God gave them, they frequently complained. Millions of people and animals wandering in the wilderness meant that drinking water was a serious problem. They traveled from the Wilderness of Sin to Rephidim, the last stop before Mount Sinai (Exodus […]