The book of Numbers tells a story with two main characters—God and Israel. The way the story is told sounds odd and often harsh to readers today. The main point of the book is nevertheless of immense importance for God’s people in any age: exact obedience to God is crucial.

This comprehensive and erudite commentary presents a thorough explication of this significant Hebrew text. Timothy Ashley’s introduction discusses such questions as structure, authorship, and theological themes, and it features an extended bibliography of major works on the book of Numbers. Then, dividing the text of Numbers into five major sections, Ashley elucidates the theological themes of obedience and disobedience, which run throughout. His detailed verse-by-verse comments primarily explain the Hebrew text of Numbers as it stands rather than speculate on how the book came to be in its present form.

This second edition includes revisions that reflect Ashley’s decades of experience with the book of Numbers, as well as updates to the footnotes and bibliography, which add many important works published in the last thirty years. With these new features, Ashley’s commentary solidifies its place as the church’s most faithful and definitive reference on the book of Numbers.

Reviews

“An excellent, well-informed treatment of an important and difficult book...It holds many lessons for the pilgrim people of God.” - Southwestern Journal of Theology

“A balanced and sensitive treatment. Highly recommended as a fresh and authoritative approach to this difficult but theologically rich Old Testament book.” - Bibliotheca Sacra

“A reader of Numbers will find much help in this extensive commentary.” - Journal of Religion

“A good commentary for the student or pastor.” - Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses

Timothy R. Ashley is a retired minister and professor of biblical studies who taught at Acadia Divinity College, Nova Scotia, and Central Baptist Theological Seminary, Wisconsin.