Numbers : A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition

Here in NBBC Numbers, the commentary completing the Old Testament portion of the New Beacon Bible Commentary series, we find the story of two generations of Israelites. The first, departing from Sinai, begins a wilderness journey that is marked by fickle faithfulness and failures; the second finds itself waiting on the plains of Moab on the verge of entering a land of promise. Themes such as God’s covenantal faithfulness to a rebellious people, his holiness, and the intercession of their servant leader, Moses, are carefully explored in this outstanding volume. Written by an incomparable team of scholars, this commentary delves into the literary forms, structural issues, and theological details found in this significant Old Testament book. This is truly another well-crafted addition to this pivotal commentary series. The New Beacon Bible Commentary is an engaging, indispensable reference tool to aid individuals in every walk of life in the study and meditation of God's Word. Written from the Wesleyan theological perspective, it offers insight and perceptive scholarship to help you unlock the deeper truths of Scripture and garner an awareness of the history, culture, and context attributed to each book of study. Readable, relevant, and academically thorough, it offers scholars, pastors, and laity a new standard for understanding and interpreting the Bible in the 21st century. Each Volume Features: CONTEMPORARY NEW SCHOLARSHIP from notable experts in the Wesleyan theological tradition CONVENIENT INTRODUCTORY MATERIAL, for each book of the Bible including information on authorship, date, history, audience, sociological/cultural issues, purpose, literary features, theological themes, hermeneutical issues, and more CLEAR VERSE-BY-VERSE EXPLANATIONS, which offer a contemporary, Wesleyan-based understanding derived from the biblical text in its original language COMPREHENSIVE ANNOTATION divided into three sections, which cover background elements behind the text; verse-by-verse details and meanings found in the text; and significance, relevance, intertextuality, and application from the text HELPFUL SIDEBARS, which provide deeper insight into theological issues, word meanings, archeological connections, historical relevance, and cultural customs AN EXPANDED BIBLIOGRAPHY for further study of historical elements, additional interpretations, and theological themes

Dr. Alex Varughese is professor emeritus of biblical literature at Mount Vernon Nazarene University, where he taught in the religion department for thirty-two years, until 2014. He also served as a religion professor at Eastern Nazarene College, an adjunct faculty member for Nazarene Theological Seminary, and a visiting lecturer in a number of overseas theological schools. He is a retired ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene. His education includes BS and MS degrees (University of Kerala, India), MA in Religion (Olivet Nazarene University), MDiv (Nazarene Theological Seminary), and M.Phil and PhD degrees in biblical studies (Drew University). Varughese currently serves as the managing editor for the Centennial Initiative Textbook project for the Church of the Nazarene and as the general editor of the New Beacon Bible Commentary (NBBC) series. His contributions include writing and editing Discovering the Old Testament, Discovering the New Testament, and Discovering the Bible, and co-authoring the NBBC volumes on Jeremiah 1-25, Jeremiah 26-52, and Genesis 12-50.

BARRY L. ROSS retired in 2011 as professor of Old Testament and Biblical Hebrew at Anderson University School of Theology. He has also taught at Azusa Pacific University, United Wesleyan College, and Union Biblical Seminary in India. He served twenty years as missionary to Asia with the Wesleyan Church, the denomination in which he holds ordination. He has earned degrees from Houghton College, Asbury Theological Seminary, the University of Michigan, and Drew University.

Robert D. Branson is emeritus professor of biblical literature at Olivet Nazarene University. Previously, he taught at Warner Southern College and Eastern Nazarene University. He is also the author of NBBC Judges.