Numbers 1-20: A New Translation (Anchor Bible Series, Vol. 4A)

Numbers 1-20: A New Translation (Anchor Bible Series, Vol. 4A)

Baruch A. Levine has written a masterful study ofÂ Â the first half of the Book ofÂ Â Numbers for the Anchor Bible Commentaries.Â Â The Book of Numbers--from the numberingÂ Â or census of the people in the openingÂ Â chapters--is a much-neglected part of the Torah, the fiveÂ Â books of Moses, which constitutes the heart of HolyÂ Â Scriptures for Jews, while also forming an integralÂ Â part of the Bible forÂ Â Christians.

The Book of Numbers is an accountÂ Â of the young would-be nation of Israel's wanderingsÂ Â in the Wilderness after the magnificent event atÂ Â Sinai, where Moses speaks with God face-to-face andÂ Â receives the Ten Commandments. Throughout thisÂ Â time of trial, the people complain, sensing theÂ Â contrast between the relative security of slavery inÂ Â Egypt, from which they have fled, and theÂ Â precarious insecurity of freedom in theÂ Â Wilderness.

Numbers is a book filledÂ Â with power struggles, raising questions about whoÂ Â speaks for God, along with personal and communalÂ Â crises of faith and rumors of revolt. Yet despiteÂ Â the people's blindness and rebelliousness, GodÂ Â remains faithful to the promises made to Israel'sÂ Â ancestors--Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and now Moses--andÂ Â remains at Israel's side, guiding her slowly butÂ Â surely to the Promised Land. In all,Â Â Numbers describes a terrific journey ofÂ Â discipline and dependence upon the God who liberatedÂ Â the Hebrews from bondage in Egypt: a journey toÂ Â strengthen Israel for the challenge of a new andÂ Â wondrous land and the battles she wifl have to fightÂ Â in order to claim and keepÂ Â it.

Despite the importance of The Book ofÂ Â Numbers, its rich collection of stories isÂ Â not easily assimilated, even by the mostÂ Â conscientious of readers. As such, it requires the help ofÂ Â an expert guide to thread one's way through thisÂ Â mixture of interesting episodes and anecdotes on theÂ Â one hand, and the many lists, prescriptive rules,Â Â ritual regulations, and repeated admonitions onÂ Â the other. Professor Levine shows us the way intoÂ Â this difficult and sometimes forbidding book of theÂ Â Bible, and we can be confident of our guide, andÂ Â secure in the knowledge that the one who led usÂ Â into the thicket will lead us out again into a broadÂ Â and fair land.
Country USA
Manufacturer Anchor Bible
Binding Hardcover
ReleaseDate 1993-01-01
UnitCount 1
EANs 9780385156516

Country	USA
Manufacturer	Anchor Bible
Binding	Hardcover
ReleaseDate	1993-01-01
UnitCount	1
EANs	9780385156516

Numbers 1-20: A New Translation (Anchor Bible Series, Vol. 4A)

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