Here is a list of words and their definitions that may need to be defined in Numbers (ESV):;xNLx;;xNLx;I. Census, Tribal, and Military Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Census (e.g., Numbers 1:2; 26:2): An official count or registration of the people, in Numbers primarily for organizing the community, military service (men twenty years old and upward who were able to go to war), and later for the allotment of land.;xNLx;Congregation (Hebrew: edah or qahal) (e.g., Numbers 1:2, 16, 18; 8:9; 10:2-3; 14:1): The assembly of the Israelite people, often used in contexts of communal organization, worship, legal address, or collective action.;xNLx;Clans / Families (Hebrew: mishpachah) (e.g., Numbers 1:2, 18, 20; 26:5): Subdivisions of the Israelite tribes, based on lineage and extended family groups. Land was often allotted and inherited according to clans.;xNLx;Fathers' Houses (Hebrew: beth 'ab) (e.g., Numbers 1:2, 18, 20): The smallest recognized social unit within a clan, typically tracing descent from a common male ancestor; an extended family or household.;xNLx;Hosts / Armies (e.g., Numbers 1:3, 52; 2:3, 9, 10; 10:14): Referring to the organized military divisions of the Israelites, particularly those able to go to war. "The LORD of hosts" (though not explicitly in Numbers, a related concept) refers to God as the commander of heavenly armies and Israel's armies.;xNLx;Standard / Banner (Hebrew: degel) (e.g., Numbers 1:52; 2:2-3, 10, 17-18, 25, 31, 34; 10:14, 18, 22, 25): A flag or ensign used as a rallying point or identifying mark for each major division of the tribes in the camp and on the march.;xNLx;Princes / Leaders / Chiefs (Hebrew: nasi) (e.g., Numbers 1:16, 44; 2:3; 3:24, 30, 32, 35; 7:2-3, 10-11): Appointed or recognized leaders representing each tribe or major clan, responsible for various administrative, military, or representative duties.;xNLx;Registered / Enrolled / Numbered (e.g., Numbers 1:18, 21-22; 26:2): The act of being officially counted and listed in a census.;xNLx;Levites (Throughout Numbers, e.g., Numbers 1:47-53; 3:5-51; 8:5-26; 18:1-32): Members of the tribe of Levi, set apart by God for the service of the Tabernacle and to assist the priests. They were not counted in the military census but had their own census and specific duties. Key Levitical families include the Gershonites, Kohathites, and Merarites.;xNLx;Firstborn (e.g., Numbers 3:12-13, 40-51; 8:16-18): In Numbers, this often refers to the firstborn males of Israel who were originally designated for special service to God. The Levites were taken by God in place of the firstborn.;xNLx;Redemption Money (e.g., Numbers 3:46-51; 18:15-16): A payment made to "buy back" or redeem the firstborn Israelite males who exceeded the number of Levites, or for the firstborn of unclean animals.;xNLx;Able to go to war (e.g., Numbers 1:3, 20, 22): The criterion for inclusion in the military census, typically males aged twenty and older.;xNLx;II. Ritual, Legal, and Religious Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Tabernacle / Tent of Meeting (Throughout Numbers, e.g., Numbers 1:1, 50-53; 3:7-8, 25; 7:89; 9:15): The portable sanctuary that housed the Ark of the Covenant and was the focal point of God's presence among Israel and their worship. "Tent of Meeting" emphasizes it as the place God met with Moses and His people.;xNLx;Ark of the Covenant / Ark of the Testimony (e.g., Numbers 3:31; 4:5; 7:89; 10:33, 35; 14:44): The sacred chest containing the tablets of the Ten Commandments, symbolizing God's presence, covenant, and throne.;xNLx;Ordinance / Statute / Judgment / Commandment (Throughout Numbers, e.g., Numbers 5:29-30; 9:3, 12, 14; 10:8; 15:15-16, 23-24; 18:8, 11, 19, 23; 19:2; 27:11; 30:16; 31:21; 35:29; 36:13): Various terms referring to divine laws, regulations, and legal rulings given to Israel.;xNLx;Nazirite / Vow of a Nazirite (Numbers 6:1-21): A person (man or woman) who took a special vow of separation and dedication to the LORD for a specific period. This involved abstaining from wine and all grape products, not cutting their hair, and avoiding contact with dead bodies.;xNLx;Consecrate / Dedicate (e.g., Numbers 3:3; 6:12; 7:1, 10-11, 84, 88; 8:11-13, 15): To set apart a person (like a Nazirite or Levite) or thing (like the Tabernacle or its offerings) for a holy purpose or for God's service.;xNLx;Defile / Unclean (e.g., Numbers 5:2-3, 13-14, 19-20, 27-29; 6:7, 9, 12; 9:6-7, 10, 13; 18:15; 19:7-8, 10-11, 13-22; 35:33-34): To make ritually impure, unfit to approach God's holy presence or participate in sacred rituals. Uncleanness could result from various sources like skin diseases, contact with a dead body, or certain bodily discharges.;xNLx;Water of bitterness that brings the curse (Numbers 5:18, 24): Part of the ritual for a wife suspected of adultery by her husband. The effects described (thigh falling away, belly swelling) were a divine sign of guilt.;xNLx;Jealousy Offering (Numbers 5:15, 18, 25): A grain offering brought by a husband when he suspected his wife of adultery, presented as part of the ritual of testing.;xNLx;Aaron's Staff (Rod) (Numbers 17:1-11): After Korah's rebellion, the staff of Aaron (representing the tribe of Levi) budded, blossomed, and produced almonds as a divine sign confirming the Aaronic priesthood.;xNLx;Red Heifer (Numbers 19:1-10): A specific red cow without blemish, which had never been yoked, that was slaughtered and burned. Its ashes were mixed with water to create the "water for impurity" or "water of purification" used to cleanse those who had come into contact with a dead body.;xNLx;Water for impurity / Water of purification (Numbers 19:9, 13, 20-21; 31:23): The mixture containing the ashes of the red heifer, used for ritual cleansing from defilement by death.;xNLx;Bronze Serpent (Numbers 21:4-9): A serpent made of bronze that Moses erected on a pole at God's command. When Israelites bitten by venomous serpents looked at it, they lived. It symbolized God's provision for healing and deliverance in the face of judgment.;xNLx;Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:6, 9-34): Six Levitical cities designated as places where a person who unintentionally killed someone (manslaughter) could flee for protection from the "avenger of blood" until their case was tried.;xNLx;Avenger of Blood (Hebrew: go'el haddam) (Numbers 35:12, 19, 21, 24-25, 27): The closest male relative of a murder victim who had the right and duty to avenge the death by killing the murderer. The cities of refuge provided a legal process to distinguish between murder and unintentional killing.;xNLx;Lots (e.g., Numbers 26:55-56; 33:54; 34:13; 36:2-3): A method used for making decisions or distributing things (like land) believed to reflect God's will.;xNLx;Inheritance (e.g., Numbers 16:14; 18:20-24; 26:53-56; 27:7-11; 32:18-19; 33:54; 34:2, 13, 17-18, 29; 35:2, 8; 36:2-4, 7-9, 12): The land, property, or portion allotted to individuals, families, or tribes, particularly the Promised Land as God's gift to Israel. The Levites' inheritance was the LORD Himself and the tithes/offerings.;xNLx;Tithes (e.g., Numbers 18:21, 24, 26, 28): A tenth part of agricultural produce or livestock, given to support the Levites and priests.;xNLx;Votive Offering / Vow (e.g., Numbers 6:2, 5, 21; 15:3, 8; 21:2; 29:39; Chapter 30): A voluntary promise made to God, often involving a sacrifice or special dedication. Chapter 30 details laws concerning the validity and annulment of vows made by men and women.;xNLx;Wave Offering (e.g., Numbers 6:20; 8:11, 13, 15, 21; 18:11, 18): A ritual where a portion of an offering was waved before the LORD, signifying its dedication to Him and often its assignment to the priests.;xNLx;Heave Offering / Contribution (e.g., Numbers 15:19-21; 18:8, 11, 19, 24, 26-32; 31:29, 41, 52): A portion of an offering "lifted up" or set apart for the LORD, typically for the support of the priests.;xNLx;III. Events, Actions, and Concepts:;xNLx;;xNLx;Murmuring / Grumbling (e.g., Numbers 11:1; 14:2, 27, 29, 36; 16:11, 41; 17:5, 10): Complaining or expressing discontent against Moses, Aaron, or God, a recurring sin of the Israelites in the wilderness that often brought divine judgment.;xNLx;Rebellion / Trespass (e.g., Numbers 14:9, 43; 15:30-31; 16:1-50; 20:10, 24; 27:14; 31:16): Acts of disobedience, defiance, or unfaithfulness against God's commands or leadership. Notable rebellions include that of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.;xNLx;High-handed sin / Defiant sin (Numbers 15:30): Intentional, presumptuous sinning, for which specific atoning sacrifices were not prescribed in the same way as for unintentional sins.;xNLx;Scouts / Spies (Numbers 13-14): Twelve men sent by Moses to explore the land of Canaan. Their predominantly negative report (except for Caleb and Joshua) led to the people's fear and refusal to enter the land, resulting in forty years of wilderness wandering.;xNLx;Wilderness (Throughout Numbers): The arid, sparsely populated regions (Sinai, Paran, Zin, etc.) where the Israelites journeyed for forty years. It was a place of testing, divine provision, and judgment.;xNLx;Plains of Moab (e.g., Numbers 22:1; 26:3, 63; 31:12; 33:48-50; 35:1; 36:13): The area east of the Jordan River opposite Jericho where the Israelites camped before entering Canaan, where many of the final events and laws in Numbers take place.;xNLx;Baal-peor (Numbers 25:3, 5; 31:16): A Moabite deity whose worship involved idolatry and sexual immorality, into which some Israelites were lured, resulting in a plague.;xNLx;Oracle / Prophecy (of Balaam) (Numbers 23:7, 18; 24:3, 15, 20-21, 23): Inspired utterances or pronouncements, in this case delivered by the non-Israelite prophet Balaam, which, despite his intentions, blessed Israel and foretold its future.;xNLx;Sojourner / Stranger (Hebrew: ger) (e.g., Numbers 9:14; 15:14-16, 26, 29-30; 19:10; 35:15): A non-Israelite residing among the Israelites. The law often made provisions for their inclusion under certain regulations and protections.;xNLx;This list provides a starting point for understanding some of the key vocabulary encountered in the Book of Numbers (ESV), which is essential for interpreting its historical narratives, legal stipulations, and theological messages about God's faithfulness and Israel's journey.