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Document Details : Title: Die großen Zahlen in Num 1 und 26 Subtitle: Forschungsüberblick und neuer Lösungsvorschlag Author(s): ZIEGERT, Carsten Journal: Biblica Volume: 90 Issue: 2 Date: 2009 Pages: 237-256 DOI: 10.2143/BIB.90.2.3188906 Abstract : The objective of this article is to present a research report on the census lists in Num 1 and 26 as well as to make a new proposal concerning the interpretation of the large numbers. Following Petrie and Mendenhall, the word אלף is not understood as 'a thousand' but as the name of a military unit. In addition, מאה is interpreted as a military unit, too. The plausibility of its existence is shown by means of biblical and extra-biblical sources. In conclusion, there is no need to assume that a writer or redactor confused different meanings of אלף. The population at the time of the Conquest is estimated as 120,000 people. |
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