The JPS Torah Commentary: Numbers

by Jacob Milgrom

The JPS Torah Commentary series guides readers through the words and ideas of the Torah. Each volume is the work of a scholar who stands at the pinnacle of his field. Every page contains the complete traditional Hebrew text, with cantillation notes, the JPS translation of the Holy Scriptures, aliyot breaks, Masoretic notes, and commentary by a distinguished Hebrew Bible scholar, integrating classical and modern sources. Each volume also contains supplementary essays that elaborate upon key words and themes, a glossary of commentators and sources, extensive bibliographic notes, and maps.

Genres: Judaism, Nonfiction, Theology, Number, Reference

520 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1990

Reviews

[Drew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a worthwhile study! I'm being shaped by the study of the Torah. I am so very impressed with the scholarship and with the commentator's love for Numbers. I had previously slogged through Numbers--this time it was fascinating.

[Bradley Somers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Studying the book of Numbers? Get a hold of this commentary- read it from back to front and learn from many of the Jewish perspectives that this unique volume offers

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flat out excellent.

[Josh Fisher]

Easy candidate for worst book of the Hebrew Bible 🙇‍♂️

[Jonathan Caldwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably the best book in the whole series. Milgrom knows his stuff and leaves little unturned. The excurses are wonderful.

[Michael Lewyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compared to earlier JPS commentaries,

1. Much more detailed and technical- especially the essays in the back of the book, which are highly focused on literary structure (for example, drawing parallels between how two portions of a text are phrased).

2. Less reverent, and more focused on contradictions within the Torah text and the likelihood of varying traditions having made their way into the Torah. A tradition-minded reader who does not believe in the Documentary Hypothesis will be more disturbed by this book than by the other JPS commentaries.

[Ivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly fun to read to dispel all the myths about the chosenness of the people and so forth. Very instructive piece of anthropological litterature which I recommend reading together with works on the partriarchal societies of South East Asia, notably the Malay Sultanates and the books on the history of Vietnam (particularly the Khmer-Campa wars) and the history of the Khmer people.

[Craig Bolton]

The Jps Torah Commentary: Numbers : The Traditional Hebrew Text With the New Jps Translation (J P S Torah Commentary) by Jacob Milgrom (1990)

[Jared Saltz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps the best single commentary on Numbers.