What Does the Title of the Book of Numbers Mean?

The English title for the book comes from the Greek Septuagint (LXX) name, Arithmoi, “Numbers.” That is because several numbered lists appear in the book, including censuses. The Jewish title for the book is Bemidbar (“in the wilderness”) and is derived from the fifth Hebrew word of the first verse. This title relates to the geographical location so central to the book.

The historical background of the book of Numbers is the wilderness wandering of the nation of Israel after the exodus from Egypt (1445 BC) and before the crossing of the Jordan River into the promised land (1405 BC).