In the Wilderness: The Doctrine of Defilement in the Book of Numbers

by Mary Douglas

Following on from the paperback edition of Leviticus as Literature , this is the revised paperback edition of Mary Douglas's classical account of the Book of Numbers. Up to now Bible scholars have tended to dismiss Numbers as a chaotic mix of narrative and laws. Mary Douglas argues that, like Leviticus, Numbers is actually a highly complex book arranged in a regular ring structure which plots the narratives and laws into 12 parts. She argues that it is only through an understanding of the ring formation of these parts that one can fully appreciate the meanings behind this complex work.

Genres: Old Testament, Theology

281 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 1993

Reviews

[R.L.S.D · Rating 3 out of 5]

A compelling 3.5 stars. Douglas employs an anthropology toolkit to defend Numbers against dismissive higher critics and baffled modern audiences. She argues that it is in fact a tightly constructed literary masterpiece, cycling between sections of narrative and sections of law, each of which pairs thematically with a mirror section in the second half of the book to create an elegant ring structure. The central theme is defilement vs purity, but unlike other religious paradigms which wield purity to exclude people, in the Biblical code everyone is equally liable to be defiled and has equal access to purification. "This should be totally unexpected to anthropologists used to purity codes in other religions."

Douglas argues for post-exilic dating of Numbers, which becomes fairly central to some of her reasoning, and towards the end of the book she pits the political and theological themes of Numbers against those of Ezra/Nehemiah. I'd welcome recommendations for books on the post-exilic period and dating methodologies. My own reasoning is based on a theological commitment to the unity of Bible, but I'd like to be better versed in debate.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book by Mary Douglas is not as good as her Leviticus commentary, becuase the very thing that is one of her greatest strengths (the willingness to make great leaps) becomes a liability in this book. Douglas argued that Leviticus was a ring composition (aka chiasm) in the prior book, and here she argues for something similar with more plausibility to my mind. However, she relies heavily on the idea that Numbers was written in a post-exilic audience, and not only that but that the author of Numbers represents a hierarchal priestly group trying to unify Samaritans (northern kingdom survivors) and Jews. It's a historical construct that she leans heavily on, and so I skipped the first few chapters of the book.

Probably the best part of the book were the sections on women. Douglas compellingly argues that the test for adultery, the rebellion of Miriam, and the woman who makes a vow in her father's house symbolize God's relationship to Israel. It's a helpful allegory that Douglas even shows may be connceted to Hosea (a woman is said to make a vow "in her youth" and Hosea talks about Israel "in her youth"; 2:14). She also alerted me to how prominent women are in Numbers: one thinks of the woman Phineas spears through, the Midianite women, and the daughters of Zelophehad; I don't know if Douglas draws all the connections, but I think they all in some way or other symbolize Israel. Douglas really is thoughtful here: she points out that the chapter on vows is not misogynistic because hierarchy was not something that the ancient world thought denigrated women. Very thoughtful for an unbelieving scholar.

She also points out the interesting detail that Numbers plays off the flesh quail half eaten by Israel and Miriam's flesh half-eaten, after she is made a leper. It's just the tiny things that count.

Douglas argues for the following structure to Numbers:
A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G: The rebellion of Korah and Aaron's Rod
F':
E':
D':
C':
B':
A':

I like the outline, but I think the two censuses are a closer paralle, and so with due credit to her, I offer my own outline:
A:
B:
C:
D:
E:
F:
G:

[Matthew Richey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really helpful insights... some points of real annoyance. The former outweighs the latter - worth reading.

[Lisa Lewis Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best commentary on the book of Numbers (and I have read a lot!)