Bible crossword puzzle: Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy

Based on material in chapter 6 of Discovering the Bible by Alex Varughese

Challenge: Can you solve this puzzle even if you do not have the book by Varughese?

crossword puzzle grid

ACROSS

1 Moses' brother to whom some of God's speeches in Leviticus are addressed because this man had been consecrated and ordained as a priest
4 An area where the book of Numbers reports that the Israelites camped at the end of their wilderness journey; it was there that they worshiped Baal and engaged in the Canaanite fertility cult.
5 A passage from Deuteronomy that was part of Judaism's morning and evening prayers. It begins, "The Lord our God, the Lord is one"
9 An important theme in Leviticus; this theme reflects the Law's insistence that human beings are to "love your neighbor as yourself" as well as the need to be consecrated to God in ways that separate oneself from the secular influences of the world
12 When the Israelites camped in the wilderness, they pitched their tents so that they always faced this particular structure to symbolize their God-centeredness
13 A word usually translated as "law," which really means God's gracious will and thus His instructions for human life and conduct
14 The Bible book which can be seen as an instruction manual for Israel's priests

DOWN

2 A document or "book" that tells of Israel's murmuring and rebellion against God as the people coped with the difficulties of life in the desert wilderness
3 One of two spies who presented a favorable report on the possibilities of entering the Promised Land
6 A word that conveys the idea of the "covering" of sin by the blood as well as the idea of cleansing from sin
7 The starting point of Israel's journey with God as a holy people
8 A compilation of Moses' farewell speeches which help the people remember their past; the title actually means "second law," reflecting this Bible book's summing up of the essence of the law that God gave to Israel at Mount Sinai
10 The Jewish feast that celebrated Israel's redemption from Egyptian slavery
11 A magician and seer who was recruited by Balak, king of Moab, to pronounce a curse on Israel (he is also known as the man with the talking donkey)

This crossword puzzle was created for use in the course Introduction to Biblical Literature. The words and clues come from the textbook Discovering the Bible: Story and Faith of the Biblical Communities edited by Alex Varughese and published by what is now called The Foundry.

-- Howard Culbertson,

Historical Context

Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy are key books of the Hebrew Bible. They are part of the Torah or Pentateuch, the foundational focuments of Judaism. Leviticus focuses on religious rituals, laws, and purity codes. It reflects the concerns of a community striving to maintain its identity and religious practices during periods of exile and return. Numbers recounts the Israelites' journey from Sinai to the borders of the Promised Land. It emphasizes faith, obedience, and divine guidance while also grappling with issues of leadership and rebellion. Deuteronomy, often considered a theological and legal manifesto, is presented as a series of speeches by Moses. These speeches urge the Israelites to remain faithful to their covenant with God as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. Together, these three books provide insight into the social, religious, and political dynamics of ancient Israelite society. They helped shape the religious and cultural identity of the Jewish people for centuries.

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