What is the goal of the book? What is the turning point in the book? The following outline of the events in the book of Numbers tells you in what context the nesi'im (princes) are mentioned in each parsha.  As you read through the book, think about their role in the Exodus from Egypt and how they worked for, with or against Moshe and Aharon.

Parashat Bemidbar

Count the heads (“se-u et rosh,” lift up) of all of Israel..

And with you will be a man for each tribe, a man the head of his tribe.  Every man, a head (Rosh) of his father’s house. (It then lists the heads of each tribe.)

These are the ones called by the tribes, the princes (nesiey) of the tribes of their fathers, the heads (rashei) of the thousands of Israel.

Chapter II lists the heads (nasi) of tribes again as part of the formation of the tribes. 

Parashat Naso (naso)

All the countings which Moses and Aharon and the princes (nesiey) of Israel did to the Levites…

VII, 2: The Princes (nasi) of Israel, the heads (rashei) of the father’s houses, these are the princes of the tribes, which oversee the counting.

The Levites carry (nosei aron..)

Moses said, one prince per day.. will offer his offering to the inauguration of the altar. (there are then 71 more verses outlining the same offerings and counting them up.) 

Parashat Behaalotecha

People ask Moshe what to do if they are impure on Pesach…

X, 4: If you blow one tekiah, then the nesiim, the heads of the thousands of Israel should gather.

As they travel, the nessiim are mentioned by name.

The people complained. The mixed multitude complains.

Moses Complains. Elders are appointed to help Moses.

Miriam and Aharon speak about Moses.

G-d says Moses is different from other prophets. 

Parashat Shelach

Send for you men (anashim) and scout out the land of Canaan.. one man for a tribe..all princes among them… they were all men (anashim) heads of the children of Israel…

Their names are listed. 

Parashat Korach

(Korach and ) 250 from the children of Israel rose up princes of the congregation, elect men of the assembly and they gathered against Moses…

(they complained) why do you rise above (titnase-u) the congregation?

After Korach is swallowed up, the people complain, and therefore 14, 700 die.

Aharon, at Moshe’s request, stops the plague.

In the branch showdown, a branch was taken from their princes (nesieyhem).

People still complain.

The Cohanim lift up (yisu) the sins of the altar.. one lifts up the tithe. 

Parashiot Chukat- Balak

Leaders die. Moshe is to take  the staff of leadership with him when he hits the rock

Mechoikek, officers, heads (nedivey haam) are mentioned in a song about wells going up.

Moses takes on the king of Sichon and Og king of Bashan.

The elders of Midian and Moab plan and scheme. Officers of great notoriety are sent.

“Like a lion it shall be lifted up.”

G-d tells Moshe to kill the Rashei ha-am or to have them kill the sinners.

Pinechas kills a nasi prince of shimon with a nasi of Midian

Pinechas causes the plague of 24,000 to end. 

Pinechas

See above

Pinechas given an everlasting covenental Priesthood

Se-u et Rosh- count again

The daughters of Zelafchad appear before Moshe, Elazar and the nesiim and the congregation to ask a question.

Joshua appointed, he will stand before Elazar. 

Matot

Portion spoken to the Roshei ha-matot, heads of tribes

Midian war fought by 1000 from each tribe.

They killed the 5 kings of Midyan and Bilaam

Victors greeted by Moshe, Elazar and all the Nesiim

Moshe gets mad at the officers of 100, 1000

Census of spoils to be done by Moshe, Elazar, and the Roshei avot haedah

The appointed to the 1000’s reported on the war, they gave gifts- it was placed in the tent of meeting

Gad and Reuven approach Moshe, Elazar, and the princes of the congregation.

Moshe tells Elazar, Joshua, and the roshei ha-matot what the deal is with these tribes 

Masaei

Those to distribute the land of each tribe: Nasi echad, nasi echad mimateh..

The heads of the families of Menashe approach Moshe and the Nesiim heads of families about their concerns.  

Was Moshe supposed to take the Jews to Israel?