L e v i t i c u s.(*):written about B.C.E. 1446–1406, shortly after the ancient Israelites left the bondage they were under in Egypt.

An interesting fact may be noted here. Canon Tristram, speaking of the remarkable discoveries regarding the flora and fauna of the Holy Land.(the environs of an area {Jerusalem} once inhabited by the ancient Israelites).by the Palestine Exploration officers, makes the following statement:."Take these two catalogues of the clean and unclean animals in the books of Leviticus chapter 11 and Deuteronomy chapter 14.
   "There are eleven in Deuteronomy which do not occur in Leviticus and these are nearly all animals and birds which are not found in Egypt or the Holy Land, but which are numerous in the Arabian desert. They are not named in Leviticus a few weeks after the departure from Egypt; but after the people were thirty nine years in the desert they are named, a strong proof that the list in Deuteronomy was written at the end of the journey and the list in Leviticus at the beginning."

The various ordinances contained in this book were all delivered in the first month of the second year after the Exodus. It is the third book of Moses. 

No book contains more of the very words of the Creator. He is almost throughout the whole of it the direct speaker. This book is a prophecy of things to come, a shadow whereof the substance is Christ and his kingdom. The principles on which it is to be interpreted are laid down in the Epistle.(letter).to the Hebrews. The book of Hebrews contains in its complicated ceremonial, the gospel of the grace of the Creator. 

-Chapters 1-7 a series of laws regarding sacrifices necessary back then, burnt offerings, meat offerings and thank offerings, sin offerings and trespass offerings and law of the priestly duties in connection with the offering of sacrifices
-Chapters 8-10 an historical section giving an account of the consecration of Aaron and his sons and Aaron's first offering for himself and the people, Nadab and Abihu's presumption in offering "strange fire before Jehovah" and their punishment 
-Chapter 11 two catalogues of the clean and unclean animals in the books of Leviticus chapter 11 and Deuteronomy chapter 14
-Chapters 1-12 the sin-offering of ignorance for the priest
-Laws concerning purity and the sacrifices and ordinances for putting away impurity chapters 11-16
-Chapters 17-20 laws marking the separation between Israel and the heathen
-Chapters 13-21 sin offering for the congregation of Israel 
-Chapters 20;21 laws about the personal purity of the priests and their eating of the holy things
-Chapters 22:17-33 offerings of Israel, that they were to be without blemish
-Chapters 23;25 celebration of the great festivals
-Chapters 22-26 sin offering for a ruler
-Chapters 27-35 sin offering for any of the people

Then follow promises and warnings to the people regarding obedience to these commandments, closing with a section on vows.

 ***
N u m b e r s.(*):Written about B.C.E. 1451.

It is so called because it contains a record of the numbering of the people in the wilderness of Sinai.(chapters 1-4).and of their numbering afterwards on the plain of Moab: Chapter 26.

It extends from the giving of the law at Sinai, till their arrival in the plains of Jordan. An account is given of their murmuring and unbelief, for which they were sentenced to wander in the wilderness nearly forty years; also some laws, both, moral and ceremonial. Their trials greatly tended to distinguish the wicked and hypocrites from the faithful and true servants of God, who served him with a pure heart.

This book is of special historical interest as furnishing us with details as to the route of the Israelites in the wilderness and their principal encampments. 

It may be divided into three parts: 
-Chapters 1-10:10 the numbering of the people at Sinai and preparations for their resuming their march. The sixth chapter gives an account of the vow of a Nazarite.
-Chapters 10:11-21:20 an account of the journey from Sinai to Moab, the sending out of the spies and the report they brought back and the murmurs.(eight times).of the people at the hardships on the way.
-Chapters 21:21-36 transactions in the plain of Moab before crossing the Jordan.

The period comprehended in the history extends from the second month of the second year after the Exodus to the beginning of the eleventh month of the fortieth year, in all about thirty-eight years and ten months; a dreary period of wanderings, during which that disobedient generation all died in the wilderness. They were fewer in number at the end of their wanderings than when they left the land of Egypt. We see in this history the unceasing care of the Creator over his chosen people during their wanderings and on the other hand, the murmurs and rebellions which the attitude of the people showed, so much:.Hebrews 3:19.

This book of.Numbers, is one of the other books of what is called the Law.(*). It is also known now as the Pentateuch.(Greek for 'penta' is 5, like Pentagon, five sided, from Greek 'pentateukhos', penta and teukhos, meaning a 'tool', an 'implement', a 'vessel', a 'scroll case', something of utility produced). The Law or if you like, the Pentateuch, consists of the first five books of the Old Testament, all authored by Moses,.Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. In scripture, they are also often called.The Book of Moses. The word Pentateuch does not occur in Scripture.