Old Testament
The Book of Numbers
The Book of Numbers is the fourth of the 46 books of the Old Testament: 36 chapters and 1,288 verses.
About Numbers
About Numbers · Wilderness narrative
Numbers follows Israel through forty years between Egypt and the promised land, mixing census lists and laws with some of the Bible's sharpest stories of complaint and rebellion. Like the rest of the Pentateuch it is traditionally Mosaic and was shaped over generations. It was written to show what a whole generation's mistrust costs, and how God's patience outlasts it: the people fail repeatedly, and the promise survives every failure. The Church has always read its wandering camp as an image of her own pilgrimage.
| Testament | Old Testament — book 4 of 46, 4 of 73 in the Bible |
|---|---|
| Canon | Protocanonical (in every Christian canon) |
| Chapters | 36 |
| Verses | 1,288, as Bless numbers them |
| Latin | Clementine Vulgate, every chapter |
| Bp. Challoner | Summaries of all 36 chapters · 44 notes |
| Catechism | 8 paragraphs cite it |
Chapter by chapter
All 36 chapters, in brief.
Bishop Richard Challoner’s summary of each chapter, from his revision of the Douay-Rheims (1749–52). Open a chapter for the full text.
Numbers 1
54 versesThe children of Israel are numbered: the Levites are designed to serve the tabernacle.
Numbers 2
34 versesThe order of the tribes in their camp.
Numbers 3
51 versesThe Levites are numbered and their offices distinguished. They are taken in the place of the firstborn of the children of Israel.
Numbers 4
49 versesThe age and time of the Levites' service: their offices and burdens.
Numbers 5
31 versesThe unclean are removed out of the camp: confession of sins, and satisfaction: firstfruits and oblations belonging to the priests: trial of jealousy.
Numbers 6
27 versesThe law of the Nazarites: the form of blessing the people.
Numbers 7
89 versesThe offerings of the princes at the dedication of the tabernacle. God speaketh to Moses from the propitiatory.
Numbers 8
26 versesThe seven lamps are placed on the golden candlestick, to shine towards the loaves of proposition: the ordination of the Levites: and to what age they shall serve in the tabernacle.
Numbers 9
23 versesThe precept of the pasch is renewed: the unclean and travellers are to observe it the second month: the camp is guided by the pillar of the cloud.
Numbers 10
36 versesThe silver trumpets and their use. They march from Sinai.
Numbers 11
34 versesThe people murmur and are punished with fire. God appointeth seventy ancients for assistants to Moses. They prophesy. The people have their fill of flesh, but forthwith many die of the plague.
Numbers 12
15 versesMary and Aaron murmur against Moses, whom God praiseth above other prophets. Mary being struck with leprosy, Aaron confesseth his fault. Moses prayeth for her, and after seven days' separation from the camp, she is restored.
Numbers 13
34 versesThe twelve spies are sent to view the land. The relation they make of it.
Numbers 14
45 versesThe people murmur. God threateneth to destroy them. He is appeased by Moses, yet so as to exclude the murmurers from entering the promised land. The authors of the sedition are struck dead. The rest going to fight against the will of God are beaten.
Numbers 15
41 versesCertain laws concerning sacrifices. Sabbath breaking is punished with death. The law of fringes on their garments.
Numbers 16
50 versesThe schism of Core and his adherents: their punishment.
Numbers 17
13 versesThe priesthood is confirmed to Aaron by the miracle of the blooming of his rod, which is kept for a monument in the tabernacle.
Numbers 18
32 versesThe charge of the priests and of the Levites, and their portion.
Numbers 19
22 versesThe law of the sacrifice of the red cow, and the water of expiation.
Numbers 20
30 versesThe death of Mary the sister of Moses. The people murmur for want of water: God giveth it them from the rock. The death of Aaron.
Numbers 21
35 versesKing Arad is overcome. The people murmur and are punished with fiery serpents: they are healed by the brazen serpent. They conquer the kings Sehon and Og.
Numbers 22
41 versesBalac, king of Moab, sendeth twice for Balaam to curse Israel. In his way Balaam is rebuked by an angel.
Numbers 23
30 versesBalaam, instead of cursing Israel, is obliged to bless them, and prophesy good things of them.
Numbers 24
25 versesBalaam still continues to prophesy good things in favour of Israel.
Numbers 25
18 versesThe people fall into fornication and idolatry; for which twenty-four thousand are slain. The zeal of Phinees.
Numbers 26
65 versesThe people are again numbered by their tribes and families.
Numbers 27
23 versesThe law of inheritance. Josue is appointed to succeed Moses.
Numbers 28
31 versesSacrifices are appointed as well for every day as for sabbaths, and other festivals.
Numbers 29
39 versesSacrifices for the festivals of the seventh month.
Numbers 30
17 versesOf vows and oaths: and their obligation.
Numbers 31
54 versesThe Madianites are slain for having drawn the people of Israel into sin. The dividing of the booty.
Numbers 32
42 versesThe tribes of Ruben and Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasses, receive their inheritance on the east side of Jordan, upon conditions approved of by Moses.
Numbers 33
56 versesThe mansions or journeys of the children of Israel towards the land of promise.
Numbers 34
29 versesThe limits of Chanaan; with the names of the men that make the division of it.
Numbers 35
34 versesCities are appointed for the Levites. Of which six are to be the cities of refuge.
Numbers 36
13 versesThat the inheritances may not be alienated from one tribe to another, all are to marry within their own tribes.
Bp. Richard Challoner · chapter summaries
Coming up
Read at Mass.
From October 29, 2026 to October 28, 2027, Numbers is read at the principal Mass on 9 days in the US calendar. The next 8 readings:
| Date | Celebration | Reading | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. John of the Cross, Priest and Doctor of the Church | First Reading | Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a | |
| Mary, the Holy Mother of God | First Reading | Numbers 6:22-27 | |
| Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent | First Reading | Numbers 21:4-9 | |
| computed | Monday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Numbers 11:4b-15 |
| computed | Tuesday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Numbers 12:1-13 |
| computed | St. John Vianney, Priest | First Reading | Numbers 13:1-2, 25—14:1, 26a-29a, 34-35 |
| computed | Thursday of the Eighteenth Week in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Numbers 20:1-13 |
| computed | Exaltation of the Holy Cross | First Reading | Numbers 21:4b-9 |
| computed | Twenty-sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time | First Reading | Numbers 11:25-29 |
| computed | St. Lucy, Virgin and Martyr | First Reading | Numbers 24:2-7, 15-17a |
| computed | Mary, the Holy Mother of God | First Reading | Numbers 6:22-27 |
| computed | Tuesday of the Fifth Week of Lent | First Reading | Numbers 21:4-9 |
| computed | Exaltation of the Holy Cross | First Reading | Numbers 21:4b-9 |
No more readings are listed here; the liturgical calendar has every date through December 31, 2028.
Citations as published in the USCCB liturgical calendar (principal Mass, first option). Dates after May 31, 2027 are computed by Bless from the US Lectionary cycle — confirm with your parish.