Why is the 4th book of Moses called Numbers instead of “In the Wilderness”?
score:2
Accepted answer
According to the wikipedia article on the Torah, the Hebrew/Greek titles of the Torah are:
- Bəreshit (בְּרֵאשִׁית, literally "In the beginning")—Genesis, from Γένεσις (Génesis, "Creation")
- Shəmot (שְׁמוֹת, literally "Names")—Exodus, from Ἔξοδος (Éxodos, "Exit")
- Vayikra (וַיִּקְרָא, literally "And He called")—Leviticus, from Λευιτικόν (Leuitikón, "Relating to the Levites")
- Bəmidbar (בְּמִדְבַּר, literally "In the desert [of]")—Numbers, from Ἀριθμοί (Arithmoí, "Numbers")
- Dəvarim (דְּבָרִים, literally "Things" or "Words")—Deuteronomy, from Δευτερονόμιον (Deuteronómion, "Second-Law")
You'll notice that in English, none of the names by which we typically refer to the books of the Bible are incipits like they are in Hebrew. So I'm not sure why you singled out Numbers with your question.
As with the other names originating from the Septuagint, it's based on a topic of the book. as the Encyclopedia Britannica says
The English title is a translation of the Septuagint (Greek) title referring to the numbering of the tribes of Israel in chapters 1–4.
More post
- 📝 What does the Bible say about Science?
- 📝 Does this mean He will help us overcome difficulties in this life?
- 📝 Was there a reason why God sent Jonah to Nineveh and not some other city?
- 📝 Does Satan have a physical dwelling place on earth?
- 📝 Is "Worship Pastor" a new term?
- 📝 Does the Catholic Church consider Constantine's vision of "by this symbol conquer" to be from God?
- 📝 What is the best way to distinguish when God (the son) is talking in His human nature or in His divine?
- 📝 According to Mormonism, what are angels?
- 📝 Is this a christian symbol?
- 📝 Is there a bad part of heaven?
- 📝 Was Onan really struck dead by God for masturbating?
- 📝 Why do saints perform fewer miracles over time?
- 📝 Obligation to get married with partner?
- 📝 According to Protestant theology, does God’s omnipresence entail us humans walking into God all the time?
- 📝 What is the biblical basis for the term 'the lost'?
- 📝 If a Catholic believes scripture supports a heretical position, but denies that position himself based on the Magisterium, is he a heretic?
- 📝 According to Catholic Teaching: Why is God allowing COVID-19, when there seems to be no physical or moral good resulting from it?
- 📝 Is it sinful to be a "prayer squirrel"?
- 📝 Did Jonah die and rise from the dead?
- 📝 This question is for Biblical Unitarians. Why does the "Shema" at Deuteronomy 6:4 use the Hebrew word "echad" instead of the Hebrew word, "yachid?"
- 📝 A female demon name starting with the letter "S"
- 📝 Based on what verse did Luther know that no sin can separate the believers from God?
- 📝 Why is the word "dragon" in the Bible?
- 📝 What is the origin of the Doctrine of Trinity?
- 📝 What does it mean to say that Vatican II is pastoral rather than ecumenical?
- 📝 Do Protestants understand Jesus to be both "the son of Adam" and "the son of God"?
- 📝 What Place was Jesus going to prepare
- 📝 Are there any denominations that believe that Jesus' body was separate creation than was mankind?
- 📝 Why were Saul's descendants killed?
- 📝 According to full preterists, what is the historical basis for viewing the last trumpet call as a historical fact that has already been fulfilled?
Source: stackoverflow.com
Search Posts
Related post
- 📝 Why is the 4th book of Moses called Numbers instead of “In the Wilderness”?
- 📝 Why is the Son of God called the Eternal Father in the book of Alma?
- 📝 Why are the offenses against Blessed Virgin Mary are called blasphemies instead of sin?
- 📝 Why are Matthew, Mark, and Luke called the synoptic gospels?
- 📝 Why is the Book of Enoch not regarded as canonical?
- 📝 Why is Jesus named the Prince of Peace instead of the King of Peace?
- 📝 Why was God so upset with Moses for striking the rock the second time in the desert?
- 📝 Why do OEC discount the literal interpretation of the book of Genesis?
- 📝 Why did Jesus physically throw out the money changers instead of winning the argument with reason?
- 📝 Why is Jesus the Son called the Father in Isaiah 9:6?
- 📝 According to the Catholic Church, why is God called “Father” (and not, say, “Mother”)?
- 📝 Why is Satan called the prince of the power of the air?
- 📝 Why is the Nation of Israel called Israel and not Abraham?
- 📝 Why did Joseph Smith translate the Book of Mormon into Jacobean English, not in use in 1830?
- 📝 Why do the later versions of the Book of Mormon contain added phrases that seem to change the nature of Christ?
- 📝 Why did the reformers include the book of Hebrews in the canon?
- 📝 Why is the second beast of Revelation called the Antichrist?
- 📝 Why is the line from Seth to Noah often called righteous?
- 📝 Why didn't God send Jesus during Noah's time instead of The Flood?
- 📝 Why is the Catholic Church called "The Roman Catholic Church"?
- 📝 Why are the Ammonites excluded instead of the Midianites in Nehemiah 13?
- 📝 Why does the Book of Revelation allocate such a subordinate role to the Holy Spirit?
- 📝 Why did Moses have the sons of Levi run about with swords slaying family and friends?
- 📝 Why was it so special that John the baptist was not called Zechariah?
- 📝 Why were the golden plates necessary if Joseph Smith received his translation of the Book of Mormon by viewing a stone in his hat?
- 📝 Why is Jesus called the Truth?
- 📝 Why would Jesus begin to be called the Son of God?
- 📝 Why do Anglicans have the "give away" optional in Common Worship but obligatory in Anglican Book of Common Prayer?
- 📝 Why was Jesus called the King of the Jews?
- 📝 What plausible explanation can we find for the points of contact between Moses in the Pearl of Great Price and the Book of Enoch?