Textual and narrative aspects in Num 13:

Intercessions and Singularities

Abstract

In the book of Numbers, throughout its formation process, were combined different traditions but its central theme is based on Nm 13,1–14,45 in two directions: a) The death of the children of Israel, who experienced the exodus of Egypt and the Sinai alliance, but, because they demonstrated themselves to be insubordinate to YHWH's orders, regarding the conquest of Canaan, they did not enter it; b) The possession of Canaan by the new generation, that is, those who were under twenty years of age or who were born in the desert. Moses, before dying at the top of the Pisgah and being succeeded by Joshua (Dt 34), renewed, with the “new Israel”, the alliance in the steppes of Moab (Dt 28,69–30,20), so that this generation, forged in the desert, had the necessary knowledge and was capable of determining their behavior consistent with the will of YHWH in Canaan. Based on this perception, this article, articulated in six topics, deals with Num 13 and, using both diachronic and synchronic approaches, intends to elucidate singularities and intersections of this chapter with other parts of the book of Numbers, as well as, under certain aspects, with the other books of the Torah. Furthermore, it is hoped to offer a contribution to the advancement of exegetical-theological research on the theme of the gift/conquest of the land of Canaan, favoring, a little more, interest in reading and studying the book of Numbers.