Live-Wire Bible Study - Day 51 - Numbers 26–29 · Luke 2 - FeedTheGoodHorse
A year-long cultural and psychological reading of the entire Bible. An enduring human text.
← Day 50 | About | Day 52 →
Day 51: Numbers 26–29 · Luke 2 · Commentary · Commentary² · Audio
The Bible text is included for reading continuity; it is accurate in substance, aligned with major modern translations, and may be read alongside any Bible you prefer.1
Special Note about the following Bible text: The following translation uses the Hebrew terms tamé (טָמֵא) and tahor (טָהוֹר) instead of the traditional “unclean” and “clean.” These terms describe ritual status in relation to sanctuary access, not moral fault, shame, or physical dirtiness. A fuller explanation will follow in a dedicated article.
Numbers 26
After the plague, Jehovah said to Moses and to Eleazar son of Aaron the priest:
Take a census of the whole congregation of the sons of Israel, from twenty years old and upward, by their fathers’ houses, all in Israel who are able to go out to war.
Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying:
From twenty years old and upward, as Jehovah commanded Moses.
Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: the sons of Reuben were Hanoch, the clan of the Hanochites; Pallu, the clan of the Palluites; Hezron, the clan of the Hezronites; Carmi, the clan of the Carmites. These are the clans of the Reubenites. Those numbered of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred thirty.
The sons of Pallu were Eliab. The sons of Eliab were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are the Dathan and Abiram who were called by the congregation and who contended against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah, when they contended against Jehovah. The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died, when the fire devoured two hundred fifty men, and they became a sign. But the sons of Korah did not die.
The sons of Simeon according to their clans: Nemuel, the clan of the Nemuelites; Jamin, the clan of the Jaminites; Jachin, the clan of the Jachinites; Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites; Shaul, the clan of the Shaulites. These are the clans of the Simeonites, twenty-two thousand two hundred.
The sons of Gad according to their clans: Zephon, the clan of the Zephonites; Haggi, the clan of the Haggites; Shuni, the clan of the Shunites; Ozni, the clan of the Oznites; Eri, the clan of the Erites; Arod, the clan of the Arodites; Areli, the clan of the Arelites. These are the clans of the sons of Gad according to those numbered of them, forty thousand five hundred.
The sons of Judah were Er and Onan; Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. The sons of Judah according to their clans were Shelah, the clan of the Shelanites; Perez, the clan of the Perezites; Zerah, the clan of the Zerahites. The sons of Perez were Hezron, the clan of the Hezronites; Hamul, the clan of the Hamulites. These are the clans of Judah according to those numbered of them, seventy-six thousand five hundred.
The sons of Issachar according to their clans: Tola, the clan of the Tolaites; Puvah, the clan of the Punites; Jashub, the clan of the Jashubites; Shimron, the clan of the Shimronites. These are the clans of Issachar according to those numbered of them, sixty-four thousand three hundred.
The sons of Zebulun according to their clans: Sered, the clan of the Seredites; Elon, the clan of the Elonites; Jahleel, the clan of the Jahleelites. These are the clans of the Zebulunites according to those numbered of them, sixty thousand five hundred.
The sons of Joseph according to their clans were Manasseh and Ephraim.
The sons of Manasseh: Machir, the clan of the Machirites; Machir became the father of Gilead; Gilead, the clan of the Gileadites.
These are the sons of Gilead: Iezer, the clan of the Iezerites; Helek, the clan of the Helekites; Asriel, the clan of the Asrielites; Shechem, the clan of the Shechemites; Shemida, the clan of the Shemidaites; Hepher, the clan of the Hepherites.
Zelophehad son of Hepher had no sons, but daughters. The names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. These are the clans of Manasseh, and those numbered of them were fifty-two thousand seven hundred.
These are the sons of Ephraim according to their clans: Shuthelah, the clan of the Shuthelahites; Becher, the clan of the Becherites; Tahan, the clan of the Tahanites. These are the sons of Shuthelah: Eran, the clan of the Eranites. These are the clans of the sons of Ephraim according to those numbered of them, thirty-two thousand five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph according to their clans.
The sons of Benjamin according to their clans: Bela, the clan of the Belaites; Ashbel, the clan of the Ashbelites; Ahiram, the clan of the Ahiramites; Shephupham, the clan of the Shephuphamites; Hupham, the clan of the Huphamites.
The sons of Bela were Ard, the clan of the Ardites; Naaman, the clan of the Naamites. These are the sons of Benjamin according to their clans, and those numbered of them were forty-five thousand six hundred.
These are the sons of Dan according to their clans: Shuham, the clan of the Shuhamites. All the clans of the Shuhamites, according to those numbered of them, were sixty-four thousand four hundred.
The sons of Asher according to their clans: Imnah, the clan of the Imnites; Ishvi, the clan of the Ishvites; Beriah, the clan of the Beriites.
Of the sons of Beriah: Heber, the clan of the Heberites; Malchiel, the clan of the Malchielites. The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. These are the clans of the sons of Asher according to those numbered of them, fifty-three thousand four hundred.
The sons of Naphtali according to their clans: Jahzeel, the clan of the Jahzeelites; Guni, the clan of the Gunites; Jezer, the clan of the Jezerites; Shillem, the clan of the Shillemites. These are the clans of Naphtali according to their clans, and those numbered of them were forty-five thousand four hundred.
These are those numbered of the sons of Israel: six hundred one thousand seven hundred thirty.
Jehovah spoke to Moses:
To these the land shall be divided as an inheritance according to the number of names. To a large tribe you shall give a large inheritance, and to a small tribe you shall give a small inheritance. Each shall be given its inheritance according to those numbered of it.
But the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. According to the lot their inheritance shall be divided between the larger and the smaller.
These are those numbered of the Levites according to their clans: Gershon, the clan of the Gershonites; Kohath, the clan of the Kohathites; Merari, the clan of the Merarites.
These are the clans of Levi: the clan of the Libnites, the clan of the Hebronites, the clan of the Mahlites, the clan of the Mushites, the clan of the Korahites. Kohath became the father of Amram.
The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. She bore to Amram Aaron and Moses and Miriam their sister. To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before Jehovah.
Those numbered of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and upward, for they were not numbered among the sons of Israel, because no inheritance was given to them among the sons of Israel.
These are those numbered by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.
But among these there was not a man of those numbered by Moses and Aaron the priest, who numbered the sons of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. For Jehovah had said of them, They shall surely die in the wilderness. Not one of them was left, except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
Numbers 27
The daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph, came near. The names of his daughters were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
They stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, before the leaders, and before the whole congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting, and they said:
Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Jehovah in the company of Korah, but he died for his own sin, and he had no sons.
Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his clan because he had no son? Give us a possession among our father’s brothers.
Moses brought their case before Jehovah.
Jehovah said to Moses:
The daughters of Zelophehad speak rightly. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers, and you shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them.
You shall speak to the sons of Israel, saying:
If a man dies and has no son, you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter. If he has no daughter, you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. If he has no brothers, you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. If his father has no brothers, you shall give his inheritance to his nearest relative in his clan, and he shall possess it.
It shall be for the sons of Israel a statute of judgment, as Jehovah commanded Moses.
Jehovah said to Moses:
Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the sons of Israel. When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered, because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, not upholding my holiness before their eyes at the waters. These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.
Moses spoke to Jehovah:
Let Jehovah, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who shall go out before them and come in before them, who shall lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of Jehovah may not be like sheep that have no shepherd.
Jehovah said to Moses:
Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is spirit, and lay your hand upon him. Set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole congregation, and commission him in their sight.
You shall put some of your authority upon him, so that the whole congregation of the sons of Israel may obey. He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Jehovah.
At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, he and all the sons of Israel with him, the whole congregation.
Moses did as Jehovah commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole congregation. He laid his hands upon him and commissioned him, as Jehovah had spoken through Moses.
Numbers 28
Jehovah spoke to Moses:
Command the sons of Israel and say to them: My offering—my food for my offerings by fire, my pleasing aroma—you shall be careful to offer to me at its appointed time.
You shall say to them: This is the offering by fire that you shall offer to Jehovah—two male lambs a year old without blemish each day, as a regular burnt offering.
One lamb you shall offer in the morning, and the other lamb you shall offer between the evenings. With it shall be a tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with a quarter of a hin of beaten oil. It is the regular burnt offering, ordained at Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, an offering by fire to Jehovah. Its drink offering shall be a quarter of a hin for each lamb. In the holy place you shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to Jehovah.
The other lamb you shall offer between the evenings. As the grain offering of the morning and as its drink offering, so you shall offer it as an offering by fire, a pleasing aroma to Jehovah.
On the Sabbath day: two male lambs a year old without blemish, and two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with oil, along with its drink offering. This is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, besides the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.
At the beginnings of your months you shall offer a burnt offering to Jehovah: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old without blemish.
With three-tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a grain offering, mixed with oil, for each bull; two-tenths for the ram; and a tenth for each of the seven lambs. It is a burnt offering, a pleasing aroma, an offering by fire to Jehovah.
Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, a third of a hin for the ram, and a quarter of a hin for a lamb. This is the burnt offering of each month throughout the months of the year.
Also one male goat for a sin offering to Jehovah; it shall be offered besides the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Jehovah’s Passover. On the fifteenth day of this month is a feast; for seven days unleavened bread shall be eaten.
On the first day there shall be a holy convocation; you shall do no regular work.
You shall offer an offering by fire, a burnt offering to Jehovah: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old without blemish. Their grain offering shall be fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for each bull, two-tenths for the ram, and a tenth for each of the seven lambs. Also one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you.
You shall offer these besides the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a regular burnt offering. In this way you shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering by fire, a pleasing aroma to Jehovah. It shall be offered besides the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.
On the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no regular work.
On the day of the firstfruits, when you present a new grain offering to Jehovah at your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no regular work.
You shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasing aroma to Jehovah: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old; and their grain offering of fine flour mixed with oil—three-tenths for each bull, two-tenths for the ram, and a tenth for each of the seven lambs; also one male goat to make atonement for you.
You shall offer them besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering. They shall be without blemish for you, along with their drink offerings.
Numbers 29
In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. It shall be a day of trumpet blast for you.
You shall offer a burnt offering as a pleasing aroma to Jehovah: one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old without blemish.
Their grain offering shall be fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram, and a tenth for each of the seven lambs. Also one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you.
These are besides the burnt offering of the new moon and its grain offering, and the regular burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offerings, according to their ordinance, as a pleasing aroma, an offering by fire to Jehovah.
On the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves. You shall do no work.
You shall offer a burnt offering to Jehovah as a pleasing aroma: one young bull, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old; they shall be without blemish for you.
Their grain offering shall be fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram, and a tenth for each of the seven lambs. Also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the sin offering of atonement, and the regular burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offerings.
On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work, and you shall keep a feast to Jehovah seven days.
You shall offer a burnt offering, an offering by fire as a pleasing aroma to Jehovah: thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish.
Their grain offering shall be fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths for each of the two rams, and a tenth for each of the fourteen lambs; also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offering.
On the second day: twelve young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish; and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, according to the ordinance; also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and their drink offerings.
On the third day: eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish; and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, according to the ordinance; also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and its drink offering.
On the fourth day: ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish; and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, according to the ordinance; also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering, its grain offering, and its drink offering.
On the fifth day: nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish; and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, according to the ordinance; also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and its drink offering.
On the sixth day: eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish; and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, according to the ordinance; also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and its drink offering.
On the seventh day: seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without blemish; and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, according to the ordinance; also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and its drink offering.
On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. You shall do no regular work.
You shall offer a burnt offering, an offering by fire as a pleasing aroma to Jehovah: one bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without blemish.
Their grain offering and their drink offerings shall be for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs, according to their number, according to the ordinance; also one male goat for a sin offering, besides the regular burnt offering and its grain offering and its drink offering.
These you shall offer to Jehovah at your appointed times, besides your vows and your freewill offerings, for your burnt offerings, for your grain offerings, for your drink offerings, and for your peace offerings.
Moses told the sons of Israel according to all that Jehovah had commanded Moses.
Luke 2
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the inhabited land should be registered. This was the first registration while Quirinius was governing Syria. Everyone went to be registered, each to their own town.
Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and family line of David. He went to be registered with Mary, who was pledged to him in marriage and was expecting a child.
While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no place for them in the lodging place.
In that same region shepherds were living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock at night. A messenger of Jehovah stood near them, and the glory of Jehovah shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
But the messenger said to them, “Do not be afraid. Look—I bring you good news of great joy for all the people. Today a savior has been born for you in the city of David. He is Messiah, the Lord. This will be the sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a feeding trough.”
Suddenly a large company of the heavenly host appeared with the messenger, praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest places,
and on earth peace among people with whom he is pleased.”
When the messengers left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this event that has taken place, which Jehovah has made known to us.”
They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the feeding trough. When they saw it, they made known what had been told to them about this child. All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them.
But Mary kept all these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.
When eight days had passed and the child was to be circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given by the messenger before he was conceived.
When the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to Jehovah. This was done as it is written in the law of Jehovah: every firstborn male opening the womb is to be set apart for Jehovah. They also offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of Jehovah: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the holy spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the holy spirit that he would not see death before he had seen Jehovah’s Messiah.
Guided by the spirit, he came into the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him according to the custom of the law, Simeon took the child into his arms and praised God, saying,
“Now, Master, you are releasing your servant in peace according to your word,
because my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the nations
and glory for your people Israel.”
The child’s father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “Look—this child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that will be spoken against. And a sword will pass through your own inner being as well, so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was also a prophet, Anna, daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years. She had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then lived as a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but served God with fasting and prayers night and day.
At that very hour she came up and began giving thanks to God and speaking about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
When they had completed everything required by the law of Jehovah, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.
The child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was upon him.
Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the festival of the Passover.
When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival. When the days were completed and they began returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not realize it.
Thinking he was somewhere in the traveling group, they went a day’s journey before they began searching for him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem looking for him.
After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard him were astonished at his understanding and his answers.
When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Child, why have you treated us this way? Look—your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”
He said to them, “Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
But they did not understand what he meant by these words.
Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and he continued to be subject to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.
Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people.
Commentary - Day 51
Numbers 26–29 · Luke 2
Numbers 26 begins with a census taken in the plains of Moab after the plague. Moses and Eleazar count the sons of Israel from twenty years old and upward, organized by their fathers’ houses and clans. As the list moves through the tribes, earlier events appear briefly within the genealogies: the rebellion of Dathan and Abiram is recalled, and the deaths of Nadab and Abihu are noted. The numbering ends with the total of those counted and with the instruction that the land will be divided as inheritance according to the number of each tribe. Larger tribes will receive larger portions, smaller tribes smaller ones, yet the final division will be determined by lot.
The Levites are counted separately. Their clans are listed, including the line from Levi to Amram, Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. Their total differs from the other tribes because they are not counted for inheritance in the land. The passage closes by observing that none of those numbered in the earlier census at Sinai remain alive except Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun.
Numbers 27 turns to the daughters of Zelophehad. Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah stand before Moses, Eleazar, the leaders, and the congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Their father died without sons, and they ask that his name not disappear from his clan. Moses brings the matter before Jehovah. The response affirms their request and establishes a statute: if a man dies without a son, the inheritance passes to his daughter, and if no daughter exists it moves through the nearest male relatives of the clan.
In the same chapter Moses is told to go up the mountain of Abarim and view the land that Israel will receive. As with Aaron, Moses is told that he will be gathered to his people and will not lead the congregation into the land because of what occurred at the waters of Meribah. Moses asks that a man be appointed to lead the people so that the congregation will not be like sheep without a shepherd. Joshua son of Nun is brought before Eleazar the priest and the congregation. Moses lays his hands upon him and places some of his authority upon him, and Joshua will stand before Eleazar, who will inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Jehovah.
Numbers 28 introduces instructions concerning offerings presented at their appointed times. The text begins with the daily burnt offering of two lambs, one offered in the morning and the other between the evenings, accompanied by grain and drink offerings. The pattern then extends outward through the calendar. It names the Sabbath, the beginnings of the months, Passover, and the Feast of Weeks. Each appears alongside the regular burnt offering rather than replacing it.
Numbers 29 continues the cycle with the appointed times of the seventh month. The first day is marked by trumpet blasts. The tenth day brings the day of affliction with its offerings. Beginning on the fifteenth day, the feast lasting seven days includes a sequence of burnt offerings in which the number of bulls decreases day by day. An eighth day closes the assembly with its own offering. The chapter ends by noting that these offerings are presented in addition to vows and freewill offerings.
Luke 2 opens with a decree from Caesar Augustus requiring registration across the land. Joseph travels from Nazareth to Bethlehem, the city of David, with Mary, who is expecting a child. There she gives birth to her firstborn son and lays him in a feeding trough because there is no place in the lodging place.
Nearby shepherds keep watch over their flocks at night. A messenger announces the birth of a savior in the city of David, and a multitude of the heavenly host appears, praising God and speaking of glory in the highest and peace on earth. The shepherds go to Bethlehem and find the child as described. They speak about what was told to them, and Mary keeps these things, reflecting on them in her heart.
When the days for circumcision arrive, the child is named Jesus. Later he is brought to Jerusalem to be presented according to the law of Jehovah. Simeon, waiting for the consolation of Israel, receives the child in the temple and speaks of salvation prepared for all peoples. He also speaks to Mary of the child as one set for the fall and rising of many and as a sign that will be opposed. The prophet Anna also speaks about the child to those waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
The chapter closes with scenes from Jesus’ early years. It records Jesus returning to Nazareth and later being found in the temple at twelve years old. After returning with his parents to Nazareth he remains subject to them, and the account ends by noting that he continues to grow in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and with people.
After a plague, a census of Israel is taken in the plains of Moab, listing the tribes and preparing for the division of the land. The Levites are counted separately because they will not receive territorial inheritance. The daughters of Zelophehad bring a case about inheritance, and a statute is established allowing daughters to inherit if a man has no sons. Moses is told he will not enter the land and commissions Joshua as the next leader. Instructions then outline the regular offerings: the daily lambs, Sabbath offerings, monthly sacrifices, and the appointed festivals through the year.
Luke 2 records the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem during the census of Caesar Augustus. Shepherds hear the angelic announcement and visit the child. In the temple Simeon and the prophet Anna speak about him. Later, at twelve years old, Jesus is found in the temple among the teachers before returning to Nazareth, where he continues to grow in wisdom and favor.
← Day 50 | About | How-To | Schedule | Day 52 →
The Bible text provided in the daily readings is included so readers can follow the commentary without interruption or needing to choose between various versions. It is accurate in substance and consistent with all major modern translations.
The longer-term aim of this project is a more fully natural modern-English rendering, one not filtered through inherited Bible-specific language nor centuries of various divergent interpretations. That work is ongoing and deliberately unrushed.
You don’t have to know anything about Bible translations to read here. You are free to use any Bible you prefer, or to read the text provided.
For a brief explanation of why this translation is provided and why it appears as it does, see So… What Bible Is This?