Numbers: Interpretation

1. When "Moses numbered them according to the word of the Lord" he was told to count "every male from a month old and upward." Women and girls didn't count as persons. Neither did babies (or fetuses) under 1 month old. I guess the unborn just don't count to God. 3:15-16

2. Is magic OK? 5:27, 21:8-9

3. "He shall separate himself from wine and strong drink."
   Is it OK to drink alcohol? 6:3

4. Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and On, the first freethought martyrs, refused to follow Moses blindly, saying that everyone is holy and should be free to think for him or herself. God killed them and their families for daring to challenge Moses. 16:1-35

5. "A red heifer without spot, wherein is no blemish"
   Some fundamentalists believe that when a red heifer is born, Armageddon will soon follow. Well, a red heifer was born in March 2002 and has been declared ritually acceptable by the rabbis. So in a few years it can be sacrificed, ushering in, so they say, the end of the world. 19:2

6. "The Book of the wars of the Lord"
   One of the lost books of the Bible 21:14

7. Is it OK to gamble? 26:52-56, 33:54, 34:13

8. The first women to demand their property rights? 27:1-7

9. "Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death." 35:30