Israel in the desert : the Book of Numbers and the completion of the Torah

Thomas Römer presents his lecture in the series les courTs du Collège de France.

The Book of Numbers deals with many important and enigmatic issues. Curiously, it has not attracted much scholarly attention, probably because it is a little confusing, and perhaps also because its importance has not yet been recognized. Through this lecture, I'd like to see if it's possible to understand this Book as a reflection of the problems of the Persian period : conflicts, politics, but also the rise of the Torah, of the Law.

Israel in the desert : the Book of Numbers and the completion of the Torah

Documents and media

Program

The book of Numbers : content, issues and composition. The two censuses of the people

The book of Numbers : content, issues and composition. The two censuses of the people (continued). The ritual concerning the " adulterous woman " (Num 5:11-31)

The ritual concerning the " adulterous woman " (Num 5:11-31) (continued). The priestly blessing (Num 6:22-27) and the amulets of Ketef Hinnom

The priestly blessing (Num 6:2-27) and the amulets of Ketef Hinnom (continued). " The flesh or the spirit " : two stories of contestation (Num 11)

" The flesh or the spirit " : two stories of contestation (Num 11) (continued)

Moses, the only mediator (Num 12) ?

The refusal of conquest and the 40 years in the desert (Num 13-14)

Moses, conqueror ? The conquest of Transjordan and the story of Balaam (Num 20-35). The Daughters of Celofehad and the fulfillment of the Torah (Num 27 and 36)

See also