Abstract
At first glance the links between the narratives and the laws that constitute the book of Numbers are hardly obvious. Succession of narrative and legal texts is a particularly clear feature in the central part of the book, Num 13:1-20:13.
In the first part of this study, the links between the narratives and the laws of this section are explored in a synchronic approach (chap. II-IV). Diachronic analysis then highlights the role of a late priestly authors, who used the narratives as “exemplary narratives” and connected them with the laws. It also reveals some late additions of non-priestly origin, which are here ascribed to post-deuteronomistic lay author (chap. V-VIII).
Consequently, the final text of the book of Numbers reflects the theological discussion of the Persian period, just preceding the closing of the Tora (chap. IX-X).
Artus, Olivier