Numbers (Wycliffe Exegetical Commentary)

About this book

R. K. Harrison was one of the leading evangelical Old Testament scholars of the twentieth century. Well known for his Introduction to the Old Testament and his work as general editor of the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series he also produced several valuable commentaries. In this volume he applies his considerable skills to interpreting the book of Numbers the fourth book of the Pentateuch."The book of Numbers is of pivotal importance for all Old Testament study because it covers the formative period of Israels communal and religious life " notes Harrison in the introduction. "During this period Israels religious life was shaped by the promulgation of many laws from God that would establish the nature of her worship and prepare her for a settled community life beyond the confines of the wilderness."Based on the Hebrew text Harrisons insightful commentary provides a translation for each pericope in-depth textual notes explanations and exposition. A concise introduction focuses on the place of Numbers in the Pentateuch and the wider canon as well as its structure compilation authorship and both textual and interpretive histories. Exposition sections interact with theological archaeological and historical scholarship.The primary theme of the commentary is that Numbers represents a covenant-renewal document whose historical narratives graphically describe the Israelites experiences and difficulties as Yahwehs chosen people.