Read Numbers 19:1-22:1 at Bible Gateway.
the teaching tools of scripture
The Hebrew paragraph divisions:
Num 19:1-22 {p} The law of the red heifer for purification
Num 20:1-6 {p} Death of Miriam + complaint of no water
Num 20:7-11 {s} Moses draws water from the rock in disobedience
Num 20:12-13 {s} Because Moses did not believe, he will not bring Israel in (Meribah)
Num 20:14-21 {p} Edom refused Israel passage
Num 20:22-29 {s} Death of Aaron
Num 21:1-3 {p} Destruction of the Canaanites of Hormah
Num 21:4-16 {s} Complaint at the Way of the Red Sea
Num 21:17-20 {p} Praise at the Well of Beer
Num 21:21-22:1 {s} Defeat of Sihon king of the Amorites and Og king of Bashan
Num 19:1-22:1 chiastic structure:
The chiastic structure for this Torah portion has eluded me until this year:
1a) Num 19:1-22 {p} The red heifer for purification;
1b) Num 20:1, Journey to Kadesh + death of Miriam;
1c) Num 20:2, Israel gathered together against Moses and Aaron;
1d) Num 20:3a, Israel contended with Moses;
1e) Num 20:3b-5, Moses has not brought Israel into a land of grain + water;
1f) Num 20:6 {p} The glory of YHVH appeared to Moses and Aaron;
1g) Num 20:7-8, Speak to the rock to bring water out for Israel and their animals;
central axis) Num 20:9-10, Moses + Aaron: Must we bring water out of this rock;
2g) Num 20:11 {s} Moses struck the rock twice and water came out for Israel and their animals;
2f) Num 20:12a, Because YHVH was not hallowed in the eyes of the children of Israel;
2e) Num 20:12b, Moses will not bring Israel into the land promised them;
2d) Num 20:13 {s} Israel contended with YHVH at the waters of Meribah;
2c) Num 20:14-21 {p} Edom gathered together against Israel with a strong hand;
2b) Num 20:22-29 {s} Journey from Kadesh + death of Aaron;
2a) Num 21:1-22:1 {p+s+p+s} The bronze serpent for healing;
1a) Num 21:1a, Israel moved along the road to Atharim;
1b) Num 21:1b, The king of Arad took possession of some of Israel;
1c) Num 21:2-3 {p} Israel utterly defeated the king of Arad;
1d) Num 21:4-5, Israel’s journeys + spoke bitterly when faced with no food or water;
1e) Num 21:6, Many died when bitten by fiery serpents;
central axis) Num 21:7-8, Israel’s confession + YHVH’s provision of the bronze serpent;
2e) Num 21:9, All lived when looking upon the bronze serpent;
2d) Num 21:10-20 {s+p} Israel’s journeys + sang joyfully when faced with no water;
2c) Num 21:21-35a, Israel utterly defeated Sihon of Heshbon and Og of Bashan;
2b) Num 21:35b, Israel took possession of his land;
2a) Num 22:1 {s} Israel moved and camped opposite from Jericho.
The A pairs both speak prophetically by types of Messiah: the red heifer which brings purification, and the bronze serpent which brings healing. The one cleanses of a spiritual condition, the other cleanses of a physical condition. But I am not wise enough to understand the significance of Moses’ and Aaron’s speech before striking the rock, as the central axis of the parashah. It is as if the bitterness that had infected the first generation who had come out of Egypt, had for an instant, consumed Moses and Aaron as well. There is a lot to meditate on in that …
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