---
title: "What Does the Title of the Book of Numbers Mean?"
canonical: "https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/questions/what-does-the-title-of-the-book-of-numbers-mean"
markdown: "https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/questions/what-does-the-title-of-the-book-of-numbers-mean.md"
type: "questions"
typeTitle: "Questions"
authors:
  - "James Coakley"
date: "2024-05-10"
updated: "2026-09-15"
topics:
  - "Interpreting the Bible"
perspective: "Learn"
relatedBook: "The Moody Bible Commentary"
relatedBookUrl: "https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/books/the-moody-bible-commentary"
---

# What Does the Title of the Book of Numbers Mean?

> The book of Numbers gets its English name from the Greek word for "Numbers" due to its census lists, while its Hebrew title means "in the wilderness"—reflecting Israel's 40-year journey between Egypt and the Promised Land.

**Type:** Questions  
**Published:** May 10, 2024  
**Authors:** [James Coakley](https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/authors/james-coakley)  
**Topics:** [Interpreting the Bible](https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/topics/interpreting-the-bible)  
**Perspective:** Learn

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).

## For Further Reading

[The Moody Bible Commentary](https://www.bibletolife.com/resources/books/the-moody-bible-commentary)

by Michael A. Rydelnik and Michael Vanlaningham