The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 KJV
About the Book of Numbers
Numbers takes its English name from two censuses of the Israelite tribes. It follows the people from Sinai toward the Promised Land. At the border, spies bring back a frightened report and the people refuse to enter, so a whole generation is left to die over roughly forty years of wandering. Along the way come rebellions, the story of Balaam and his talking donkey, and Moses' own failure at the waters of Meribah. The book ends with a new generation camped on the plains of Moab, ready to try again.
- Testament: Old Testament
- Genre: Law / Narrative
- Chapters: 36
- Verses: 1,288
Who Wrote Numbers, and When?
Author: Traditionally attributed to Moses.
When it was written: Traditionally placed around the 15th-13th centuries BC.
Main Themes in Numbers
- Faith versus fear
- Consequences of rebellion
- God's guidance in the wilderness
A Key Verse: Numbers 6:24-26
The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
The priestly blessing, still used in many churches, shows God's steady care sitting alongside the book's stories of failure.
Reading Tip
Law sections and story sections alternate, so the book can feel like it keeps changing direction; the wandering itself is the unifying thread. Use the randomizer above to land on a verse in Numbers, then press Show context to read the verses around it.
← Random verse from LeviticusRandom verse from Deuteronomy →
Browse all 66 books on the Bible books page, or get a verse from the whole Bible with the main Bible verse randomizer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters and verses are in Numbers?
Numbers has 36 chapters and 1,288 verses in the King James Version.
Who wrote Numbers?
Author: Traditionally attributed to Moses. When it was written: Traditionally placed around the 15th-13th centuries BC.
What is Numbers about?
Numbers takes its English name from two censuses of the Israelite tribes. It follows the people from Sinai toward the Promised Land. At the border, spies bring back a frightened report and the people refuse to enter, so a whole generation is left to die over roughly forty years of wandering. Along the way come rebellions, the story of Balaam and his talking donkey, and Moses' own failure at the waters of Meribah. The book ends with a new generation camped on the plains of Moab, ready to try again.
Can I get a random verse from only Numbers?
Yes. This page picks a random verse from Numbers only. Every one of its 1,288 verses has an equal chance.