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UTN uW Translation Notes:

Numbers 33 Introduction

Structure and Formatting

4. At the plains of Moab (22:1–36:13) * Itinerary from Egypt to the plains of Moab (33:1–49) * Instructions on possessing the land (33:50–56) In this chapter, the narrator records places where the Israelites camped on the way from Egypt to the plains of Moab. At the end of the chapter, Yahweh gives Moses instructions on how the Israelites should conquer and divide the land.

Religious and Cultural Concepts in This Chapter

Dividing the land

In [33:54](../33/54.md), Yahweh gives Moses instructions on how to divide the land up among the tribes. He indicates that larger groups should receive more land than smaller groups. He also indicates that the Israelites should cast lots to see who gets what land. Scholars debate how these two strategies work together. It seems most probable that the Israelites cast lots to see where their land would be, and then they decided on the size of the area based on the size of the tribal group. See how you translated the similar instructions in [26:53–56](../26/53.md).

Lots

In [33:54](../33/54.md), Yahweh gives Moses instructions on how to divide up the land among the Israelites. These instructions include using lots. Using lots was a way to randomize decisions. Lots could be cast, which would mean rolling or throwing marked stones or pieces of wood to see which side would land upright. Lots could be drawn, which would mean picking marked items without looking at the marks. In this culture, people believed that the decisions, although random from a human perspective, were directed by God. Consider how you might refer to this way of making decisions, which removes human choice but leaves open divine choice. See how you translated the instructions concerning lots in in [26:53–56](../26/53.md). (See: lots)

Translation Issues in This Chapter

Unknown locations

Many of the places named in this chapter are unknown to contemporary scholars. Not only is it uncertain where the places were, it is also uncertain what kind of places they were. Each of the place names could be a town, a wadi, a hill, an oasis, or something else. Because of this uncertainty, it is recommended that you refer to these places as generically as you can.