Leviticus - Numbers (Smyth and Helwys Bible Commentary)
Lloyd R Bailey
The contrast in appreciation of Leviticus and Numbers by the synagogue on the one hand, and by the church on the other, is little short of astonishing. The former has considered it crucial to an understanding of God and of the nature of the "chosen people" of Israel. The latter has usually reduced it to allegory or as a mere historical record of Israelite religion. In this new volume, Hebrew Bible scholar Lloyd R. Bailey examines these often overlooked or underappreciated books of Moses in the contexts of both the Jewish and Christian traditions.

Lloyd R. Bailey, Sr., is a retired Professor of Hebrew Bible at the Divinity School, Duke University and now serves as Barrow Professor of Religion at Mount Olive College and as Adjunct Professor of Religion at Methodist College. He is a United Methodist Clergyman, author of fifteen books, more than seventy articles in encyclopedias and journals, has numerous television appearances in documenteries on the Bible, and has served as President of the Society of Biblical Literature.

Table of Contents
Introduction
1. Guidelines for the Nonscheduled Sacrifices: An Overview, Lev 1:1–7:38
2. Instructions to the Laity Concerning Spontaneous Sacrifice, Lev 1:1–3:17
3. Instructions to the Laity Concerning Mandatory, But Nonscheduled, Sacrifices, Lev 4:1–6:7
4. Supplementary Instructions Directed (Mostly) to the Priests, Lev 6:8–7:38
5. Final Thoughts on Interpreting, Leviticus 1–7 Lev 1–7
6. Inauguration of the Sanctuary Service, Lev 8:1–10:20
7. Guidelines Concerning “Impurity”: An Overview, Lev 11:1–16:34
8. Problematic Animals, Lev 11:1-47 129
9. Regulations Concerning Childbirth, Lev 12:1-8
10. Surface Irregularities, Lev 13:1–14:57 165
11. Regulations Concerning Genital Secretions, Lev 15:1-33
12. Regulations Concerning Purgation of the Temple, Lev 16:1-34
13. From Priestly Code to Holiness Code: An Overview, Lev 17:1–26:46
14. Slaughter of Food-animals and Consumption of Blood, Lev 17:1-16
15. Distinctiveness from the Canaanites, Lev 18:1–20:27
16. Guidelines for Priestly Holiness, Lev 21:1–22:33
17. Scheduled (Calendric) Convocations, Lev 23:1-44
18. Miscellaneous Guidelines, Lev 24:1-23
19. Sabbatical and Jubilee Years, Lev 25:1-55
20. Concluding Exhortation on Obedience, Lev 26:1-46
21. Gifts to the Sanctuary, Lev 27:1-34
Appendix A: Animal Sacrifice
Appendix B: Reading Leviticus in the Present

Numbers
Introduction
1. Preparation for the March to Canaan: An Overview, Num 1:1–10:10
2. Universal Military Conscription: Census of Soldiery in Case of Military Opposition, Num 1:1-54
3. Marching Orders: Geographical Arrangement of the Camp, Num 2:1-34
4. “The Chaplaincy”: Priestly and Levitical Duties, Num 3:1–4:49
5. Cultic Readiness of the Camp, Num 5:1–6:27
6. Provision for Initiation of Cultic Service, Num 7:1–8:26
7. Final Preparation for Departure, Num 9:1–10:10
8. The Journey from Sinai to the Borders of the “Promised Land”: An Overview, Num 10:11–22:1
9. Getting Under Way, Num 10:11-36 449
10. Complaints and Strife along the Way, Num 11:1–12:16
11. Reconnaissance in the Land of Canaan, Num 13:1–14:45
12. Cultic Supplements and Reminders, Num 15:1-41
13. A Rebellion Co-opted, Num 16:1–17:13
14. Review of Duties for Priests and Levites, Num 18:1–19:22
15. Difficulties in the Wilderness of Zin, Num 20:1-21
16. From Kadesh to the Plains of Moab, Num 20:22–22:1
17. Events at the Border of the “Promised Land”: An Overview, Num 22:2–36:13
18. Premonitions of Success: The Oracles of Balaam, Num 22:1–24:25
19. One Last Fling in the Wilderness, Num 25:1-18
20. Like the Stars of Heaven, Num 26:1-65
21. Succession in Property and Leadership, Num 27:1-11
22. An Annual Liturgical Calendar, Num 28:1–29:40
23. Regulations Concerning Vows, and Especially by Women, Num 30:1-16
24. The War with Midian, Num 31:1-54
25. A Squabble about Tribal Allocation, Num 32:1-42
26. A Review of the Wilderness Itinerary, Num 33:1-56
27. Final Regulations Concerning Allocation of Land, Num 34:1–36:13

Bibliography for Leviticus-Numbers

Index of modern authors for Leviticus-Numbers
Index of sidebars for Leviticus
Index of sidebars for Numbers
Index of scriptures for Leviticus
Index of scriptures for Numbers
Index of topics for Leviticus-Numbers

648 pages   Hardback

Reviews

In his volume on Leviticus and Numbers, Lloyd Bailey reacquaints the reader with a powerful, yet often ignored, theological voice within the biblical canon. Bailey moves deftly through the contributions of contemporary research incorporating the information necessary for a well-reasoned reading of the biblical text. Perhaps more significant, however, is Bailey's theological sensitivity to the text and the issues raised therein. For those yearning to read the biblical text in all of its richness, I heartily recommend this volume.

W. Dennis Tucker, Jr.
Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies
Truett Seminary, Baylor University

ISBN: 9781573120609
Catalogue code: N/A
Publisher: SMYTH & HELWYS PUBLISHING - published 15/08/2005
Format: Hardback  

£37.99
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