Abstract

LEDER, Arie C.. From the Mountain of Yhwh to Israel's מנוחה: The Desert Itinerary of Numbers 10:11-36. Old testam. essays [online]. 2016, vol.29, n.3, pp.513-534. ISSN 2312-3621.  http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2016/v29n3a10.

This essay argues that the post-Sinai itinerary narratives depicted in Numbers are organized into two clusters (Num 10:11-36 and 20:2222:1), both of which depict the first generation of Israelites of the exodus, and that the first of these functions as the conclusion to Num 1:1-10:10. The first narrative depicts a generation fully instructed and compliant with divine instruction (Num 1:1-10:10) that resumes the march that began on Passover night, upon the Lord's command given through Moses (10:13). The goal of the first itinerary cluster is the ark finding rest for the people (––•••, Num 10:33). Furthermore, this essay argues that the syntactical function of the itinerary verbs in Num 11:35 and 12:16 subordinate them to the theme of complaint and rebellion against authority, which begins in 11:1, and that therefore they do not depict the continuation of the journey that began in Num 10:12. It is within this narrative of complaint that the second itinerary cluster emerges, beginning in Num 20:22 and ending in 22:1, to depict the same generation as non-compliant and rebellious.

Keywords : Numbers; itinerary; rest; first [second generation].

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