1:1 The Lord spoke to Moses. Such statements occur dozens of times in Numbers. Moses was the preeminent prophet. God spoke to the prophets in visions and dreams, but with Moses he spoke face to face (12:8), giving him greater authority. Of all who have lived on earth, only Christ has greater authority than Moses.

the tent of meeting. The tent shrine where God spoke to Moses (Ex. 29:42; 40:34, 35). This term occurs frequently in the Pentateuch and occasionally in later books.

in the second year. Numbers begins thirteen months after the Exodus and relates events that occurred during the next 39 years.