The Longest Chapter

Numbers 7-8

            The claim to fame of Numbers 7 is that it is the longest chapter in the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, commonly called the books of Moses). It’s claim to infamy is that it repeats the same thing 12 times. I’m not really sure what we are to make of that. I suppose there’s a certain majesty in the procession of tribe after tribe to make their offering before the Lord.

            There is one thing to talk about here. Numbers 7:1 refers to Moses setting up the tabernacle, which according to Exodus 40:17 was on the first day of the first month of the second year. Yet Numbers 1:1 begins on the first day of the second month of the second year. So, chapters 7-9 happen before chapters 1-6. Not a lot hangs on that observation, but it reminds us to be careful with Biblical chronology. For the authors’ own reasons (sometimes discernible; sometimes not) they will often take things out of strict chronological order. Rather than seeing this as a problem, it pays to ask why the author chose this order. I think in this case, the presentation of the offerings, dedication of the Levites, and the celebration of the Passover all build up to the people finally leaving Sinai in 9:11-13.