Torah Study Questions
Pinchas
Bamidbar (Numbers)  25:10 - 30:1
Mark R. Ensign, Adot Adonai, Amarillo, Texas


Introductory questions -- Brief answers, not for extended discussion:

1. At what point in history does this parsha unfold?

2. Where does this parsha take place geographically?  What are the setting and environment?

3. Who are the primary actors in the parsha and what role or roles does each play?  What is the significance of each role?  Who are the secondary actors and what roles do they play?  What is the significance of their roles?

4. What is the overall theme of this parsha?  What are the subdivisions, if any?


Parsha Specific Questions -- for extended discussion:

Chapter 25

Who was the person who intervened in this blatant sinful act and who was his father and grandfather?  What does the name Pinchas mean and what does it symbolize?  What did YHVH tell Moshe that Pinchas had done and how?  What were the rewards to Pinchas from YHVH and why?  What was the name of the blatant sinner and his position in what tribe?  What was the name of the Midyanite woman and what was her position among her people?  What is the meaning of their names and what do they symbolize?  If YHVH had not given his approval, would the actions of Pinchas be consistent with the instructions of Torah?  Why or why not?  If YHVH had not intervened, what would have been the charge against Pinchas and the likely punishment?

What important theme throughout the Scriptures is referred to by YHVH as he gives his reward to Pinchas?  What does this theme mean and encompass?  Describe how this one man's act made such a difference in the welfare of the entire community.  Compare what Pinchas did and what Y'shua did.  Like Pinchas, what did Y'shua receive as a result of the atonement he made on our behalf? 

How do we know that Bil'am was the instigator of the plan that Balak used to try to trap Bnei Yisrael?

Chapter 26

Following the termination of the plague, what instruction did YHVH give to Moshe and the Kohen HaGadol?  When had the last census been taken?  Who were to be counted and according to what categorization?  What was the total of Bnei Yisrael?  How did this compare to the earlier census?  How was the result of this census to be used in the dividing of Eretz Yisrael among the tribes?   What would determine which tribe received what portion and why? 

What was the total of the Levi'im according to their latest census?  Why were they not counted among Bnei Yisrael?  What was demonstrated about YHVH by this census of Bnei Yisrael and how was this demonstrated?


Chapter 27

What was the claim with which the daughters of Tzlofchad approached Moshe, Elazar, the leaders and the entire assembly of Bnei Yisrael?  What would be the result of the application of the custom of inheritance to their particular situation?  How did Moshe respond to their claim?  What was his answer in this case?  What eternal instruction regarding inheritance did he give?  What did YHVH demonstrate by this decision?  How does Rav Sha'ul apply the principal of this decision in Galatians 3:26-28?  How are the teachings of the church and its theologians different from the instructions of YHVH and Rav Sha'ul?  What women are identified by Rav Sha'ul in the epistles to the Romans and the Philippians as leaders or assistants to him?  What model for the home did the church adopt?  What terrible comment did the early church leader Tertullian write about women?

Where did YHVH tell Moshe to go and why?  What would happen to Moshe there and why?  What was Moshe's response to YHVH?  Who was chosen by YHVH and why?  How was he to be identified as the new leader?  What was to be the relationship between Elazar the Kohen HaGadol and Yehoshua?  What four lessons may be learned from the life of Yehoshua?  What made Yehoshua a great shepherd of Bnei Yisrael?

What leadership style of Y'shua HaMashiach was foreshadowed in Yehoshua?  How was a good shepherd a "gate for the sheep"?  What prophetic description of Y'shua does Micah offer that correlates with this task of the shepherd?   What is the relationship between the good shepherd and his sheep?  What did Y'shua mean when he said, "Also I have other sheep which are not from this pen; I need to bring them, and they will hear my voice; and there will be one flock, one shepherd."  In reference to a shepherd laying down his life for the sheep, Y'shua said, "No one takes it from me... I have the power to take it up again."  What was he indicating about his death?  How does this refute the anti-Semitic remarks blaming the Jews for being the "Christ killers"?

Chapter 28

What was the name of the fire-offering YHVH required every day and what did it consists of?  What connection does the Tamid offering have to Har Sinai?  As the Tamid offering symbolizes the special connection between YHVH and Bnei Yisrael, what does it reflect about the nature of the relationship?  What does the Tamid offering have to do with sin?  What will be the prophetic significance of the Tamid offering in the future?  When this happens, what will be the response of the "Christian church" leaders?

In review of what has previously been studied, briefly describe each of the special appointed days, beginning with Shabbat, and all the related offerings that are listed and described in the remainder of chapter 28 and chapter 29.

Shabbat 

Rosh Chodesh 

Pesach 

Shavuot 

Chapter 29

Yom T'ruah 

Yom HaKippurim 

Sukkot 

Chapter 30

How did Moshe instruct Bnei Yisrael?


Closing Questions: For Personal Introspection

Why do you believe our loving Father provided us with this particular portion of his words?  What was his purpose and objective in preserving this portion of the Scriptures to this day?  What benefit do they have for Torah observant believers today?

What other insights has the Ruach HaKodesh given you in your study of this portion that you would like to share with the group?

What questions from this portion have you had that have not been answered by the study?

What impact do you think the study of the words from your Father in this portion will have on your life?  How do you plan to implement his instructions in this parsha in your life?

Silently pray for the Ruach HaKodesh to implant his words like seeds, to nurture their growth in your heart, and to enable you to respond fully as they do.