Although little studied by most Christians, the book of Numbers offers a rich storehouse of material for reflection on the relationship between God and the human community. This excellent commentary highlights this theme in the context of interpreting the many strange and obscure stories and laws of Israel's wilderness journey.

Katharin Doob Sakenfeld is William Albright Eisenberger Professor of Old Testament Literature and Exegesis and director of Ph.D. studies, Princeton Theological Seminary. She is a coeditor of the Oxford Study Bible.