Chapters of the Bible

Korah, Dathan, and Abiram challenge the leadership of Moses and Aaron. God opens the earth to swallow the rebels, and fire consumes 250 men, reaffirming God's chosen authority.

To settle the priesthood dispute permanently, God commands each tribe to place a staff in the Tent of Meeting. Aaron's staff miraculously buds, blossoms, and produces almonds.

God clarifies the duties and maintenance of the Levites and priests, stating they receive no inheritance of land but are supported by the tithes and offerings of the other tribes.

God outlines the strange ritual of the Red Heifer, whose ashes are mixed with water to create the water of purification, used to ceremonially cleanse those who touch a dead body.

Miriam dies and is buried. At Meribah, Israel complains about a lack of water. Moses, in frustration, strikes the rock twice instead of speaking to it, preventing him from entering the Promised Land.

Israel is afflicted by venomous snakes as punishment for complaining. Moses sets up a bronze snake on a pole, and those who look at it are healed (a symbol of Christ).

King Balak of Moab hires the pagan prophet Balaam to curse Israel. God warns Balaam, and his donkey miraculously speaks to prevent him from fulfilling the king's request.

Balaam attempts to curse Israel three times, but God overrides his words, forcing Balaam to pronounce a blessing upon Israel and prophesy about their future greatness.

Balaam, overcome by the Spirit of God, prophesies the coming of a star out of Jacob and a scepter out of Israel, confirming the future ruler who will crush Moab and Edom.

Israel falls into sin at Peor, committing sexual immorality with Moabite women and worshipping their god, Baal. Phinehas executes the sinners, stopping a deadly plague.

God commands a second census of the fighting men after the first generation died in the wilderness. The Levites are counted separately, and the land is divided by lot.

The daughters of Zelophehad ask for a share of their father's inheritance, leading God to establish the law of female inheritance in the absence of a male heir.