Die Afrikaanse Protestantse Akademie Biblioteek

Originally published: 1981.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

General preface -- Author's preface -- Chief abbreviations -- Introduction -- Title and contents -- Structure -- Sources -- Date and authorship -- The Hebrew text of Numbers -- Problems of interpreting Numbers -- The theology of Numbers -- The Christian use of Numbers -- Analysis -- Commentary -- The large numbers -- The history of the priests and Levites -- The source analysis of Numbers 13-14 -- The source analysis of chapters 16-17 -- Old Testament sacrifice -- The route of the Israelites -- Maps. The route of the Israelites from Goshen to Kadesh (Num. 33) -- The conquest of Transjordan (Num. 33) -- The borders of Canaan and the mission of the spies (Num. 34:1-12).

"In ancient time numbers were seen as mysterious and symbolic, a key to reality and the mind of God himself. Today they are associated with computers and the depersonalization that threatens our society." In his effort to bridge the great gulf between the book and our age, Wenham first explains the background of Numbers, discussing its structure, sources, date and authorship as well as its theology and Christian use. A passage-by-passage analysis follows, which draws useful insights on Old Testament ritual from modern social anthropology. - Publisher.