MIQRA Institute of Biblical Studies
Reading Scripture, Hearing God
Allen, R. B. “Numbers.” EBC. Zondervan, 1990 (1008
pp.; 655-1008). A lengthy introduction (over 30 pp.) covers such
prerequisites as authorship and historical background, location and function
as Scripture within the Pentateuch, the difficulties with the organization
of the book (with much appreciation Allen adopts Olson’s suggestion; see
below), and various theological themes. A section on the use of numbers
within the book is a helpful feature, and a detailed outline prior to the
commentary aids in the organization of an otherwise unwieldy book. A clear
statement on the hermeneutical orientation for the task would have been a
welcome inclusion. While Allen’s treatment is a conservative one, he remains
in dialogue with scholarship across the field (cf. 663, fn 8) and presents
to us a thoughtful voice in the discussion.
Ashley, T. R. The Book of Numbers. NICOT. Eerdmans,
1993 (667 pp.). Ashley’s contribution to Numbers study is impressively
researched so that it provides not only a measured voice but an expansive
bibliography for further study. Along with Budd and Olson, Ashley’s
treatment is an important resource for this reason alone. To add, however,
those committed to a canonical approach will appreciate Ashley’s resolve to
explain literary anomalies (of which there are a number) as features which
serve the literary and theological strategy of the book rather than
explaining them away as source division.
Bellinger, W. H. Jr. Leviticus, Numbers. NIBC.
Hendrickson, 2001 (338 pp.). The emphasis on this and the following two
commentaries is squarely upon application. In this regard, B’s contribution
is fairly middle-of-the-road. However, it will be illuminating for its
attention to issues of authorship and sources (i.e., Who is responsible for
the various texts in Numbers—is it just Moses, or are other hands involved?
And how might we take note of this?). On the other hand, this historical set
of questions is insufficient, in our view, to provide a framework for
understanding the theological significance of the book and its various
parts. There does not seem to be much appreciation for a theological or
figural form that holds the whole thing together (e.g., its subject matter
in light of each part’s relationship to the form of Christ). A valuable
commentary for the positive points mentioned above, but helpfully
supplemented by Stubbs (bottom).
Budd, P. Numbers. WBC. Word, 1984 (409 pp.). Views
Numbers as inseparably connected to the Pentateuch with “no independent
unity” (Allen, 673). Allen’s charge may run slightly hyperbolic, however.
Budd clearly views Numbers as part of a larger literary whole, but just as
clearly grants its unique contribution as a discernable voice within the
larger body. As such, Budd contends that the voice of the book speaks
especially to the goal of the possession of the land. His commentary is to
be appreciated for its textual and text-critical engagement, typically
strong features of the WBC series. His interest in treating the religious
contribution of Numbers, underscored by the theological reflection
throughout, is also to be praised. In all, this is an important resource in
the study of Numbers.
Cole, R. D. Numbers. NAC. Broadman & Holman, 2000
(590 pp.). A serious but extremely readable commentary from a theologically
conservative perspective. Deals responsibly and insightfully with the
interpretive challenges presented by Numbers in keeping with the NAC
commitment to provide a commentary that “honors the Scriptures, represents
the finest in contemporary evangelical scholarship, and lends itself to the
practical work of preaching and teaching.” Pastors, teachers, and other
serious readers will appreciate this volume, not least the six excursuses
that discuss such special points as the large numbers in Numbers, the
literary shape of the book, and the Balaam oracles. Cole’s archaeological
interests do not overly distract from a generally text-focused discussion.
Duguid, I. M. Numbers: God’s Presence in the Wilderness. PTW.
Crossway, 2006 (400 pp.). PTW stands for “preaching the word,”
and D’s commentary is written to be consistent with the vision implied by
the title chosen for this series. There is very little textual work or
“close reading.” The commentary instead focuses almost entirely on
theological reflection and application. For this reason, those preaching or
teaching through Numbers may find this commentary especially useful for the
suggestions it contains in the way of formulating the book’s message. But
there is no translation, and the reflection progresses by chapter with no
individual markers for verses or pericopes, so it will be entirely unhelpful
as a reference volume. Best alongside a counterbalancing work like Milgrom’s
below.
Gane, R. Leviticus, Numbers. NIVAC. Zondervan,
2004 (846 pp.). Somewhat in the vein of Duguid’s, above, G’s commentary is
written with an emphasis on drawing out connecting points with the people of
God today. It moves through Numbers by chapter, but sees the book’s
structure and coherence organized principally around its two census lists
(so, chs. 1-25//26-36). This is an eminently readable commentary, and the
logic is very easy to follow on the whole (though I did find myself wishing
for bolded verse markers for easy reference). Now and then G’s anecdotes
seem a bit inexpensive, but this may say more about his effort to write for
the series than anything else.
Dozeman, T. B. “Numbers.” NIB. Abingdon, 1998 (1388 pp.; 1-268). An
introductory discussion on the priestly tradition (P) sets the stage for
Dozeman’s commentary treatment. The discussion is informative in its
reflections on the preoccupation with ritual law in the book of Numbers.
Dozeman argues that the priestly writers are largely responsible for the
compositional shape and strategy of the book. The commentary then proceeds
from this angle in which Dozeman connects literary and theological features
to the priestly influence. He acknowledges the book’s function within the
present canon, but his considerations about the pressure this has exerted on
the shape of the present literature (as well its compositional history and
pre-history) are attenuated both in the introduction and the commentary.
Milgrom, J. Numbers. JPSTC. Jewish Publication Society, 1990 (520 pp.). M is
best know for his enormous, multi-volume tome on Leviticus, but anything he
writes is magisterial, his Numbers commentary notwithstanding. This is about
as technical as it gets (of those reviewed here, at least), without being
overly dense. If attention to detail says something about devotion, M loves
the Torah. One of the great strengths of this work is the close attention to
other Jewish scholarship that one does not find as much in Protestant
Christian scholarship. Another strength is the commentary’s format, which is
eminently easy to use, with Hebrew text and translation up top,
interpretation below (by verse), and excursuses after major sections. If it
suffers, it is from the absence of any theological engagement with a
two-testament canon. Obversely, Christian interpretation of Numbers will
suffer if it does not account for M’s tremendous work.
Olson, D. T. Numbers. Interpretation. John Knox, 1996 (196 pp.). Olson
understands the book to be organized around the two census lists (chs. 1-4;
26) which establish the corresponding sections of Numbers (chs. 1-25;
26-36). With attention to the theology of wilderness and wandering presented
in the book, as well as the book’s witness to the transition from one
generation to another, Olson seeks to provide a commentary which testifies
to the ongoing significance of Numbers for each new generation of the
church. Sensitivity in these areas has led to a commentary which deftly
brings to expression the significant testimony of oft-dismissed portions
such as the census lists. With no translation and little in the way of
text-critical discussion, Olson’s treatment may not be the first volume
reached for by the researcher, but it will certainly shape the theological
discussion from the Bible study to the monograph.
Stubbs, D. L. Numbers. BTCB. Baker, 2009 (269 pp.). We’re very favorably
disposed here at MIQRA to the motivation behind the Brazos series, believing
that biblical studies is done best in service to theology rather than in
service to historical excavation or apologetics. This is not to say that
history is in any way thrown out, but that it is understood to make sense
within a particular theological shape, rather than simply to contain
theological features within itself. S’s commentary fits well within this
scheme. Its focus is on the theological significance of the journey and the
various topics that arise in the midst of it, all the while highlighting the
way the latter function as agents to mediate the former. This allows the
ethical and practical significance of the book to come forward without the
sense that applications of the text are being forced or contrived (as they
tend to appear when the teaching is chiefly interested in the “moral” of the
story or text unit).
Wenham, G. J. Numbers. TOTC. Intervarsity, 1981 (240 pp.). Along with the
usual integers of any pentateuchal treatment (authorship, date, historical
background, and sources) and the theological problems for the interpretation
of Numbers (the character of God, the land, the people of God, the number
lists), Wenham engages the complex issue of ritual symbolism, drawing again
on the anthropological insights of Douglas and Soler (cf. Wenham,
Leviticus). The treatment is as thoroughgoing as it can be given the
constrictions in size and space and Tyndale’s agenda of rendering a
universally accessible commentary. But given his proven record (cf. Genesis
in the WBC series for Wenham at his finest), he delivers a helpful
introduction to the study of the book.
