Numbers A Commentary

Here the concept of the conquest of the Promised Land is introduced and the first victories of the Israelites take place. Toward the end of the book the figures of Balaam and Balak appear. At the beginning Israel is depicted as sojourning at Sinai, but there is no indication as to how Israel arrived there or as to what happened to her there. The Book of Numbers is part of the total narrative of the Pentateuch and must be looked at within that wider framework. Presenting a thoroughly rounded introduction to Numbers, the author discusses the name and contents of the book, its growth and its significance. He then proceeds to explore the literary structure, content and importance of the entire book.