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Numbers 1-19
This detailed and comprehensive commentary by L. Michael Morales sheds fresh light on a part of the Bible often referenced yet rarely preached and understood.
Often overlooked and regularly misunderstood, the Book of Numbers is a daunting prospect for scholars, preachers and students. It covers part of the Israelites' wilderness years between Egypt and the land of the promise - seemingly very different to and detached from our modern context. Yet God's covenant love remains the same, and the book of Numbers remains extremely relevant for ecclesiology and for the church's life within the already-not yet of the present 'wilderness' era.
In his magisterial new commentary, Morales carefully demonstrates the ongoing relevance of Numbers, it's positive vision for life and the surprising challenge it offers to contemporary Christians. This detailed and comprehensive commentary sheds fresh light on a part of the Bible often referenced yet rarely preached and explained.
The Apollos Old Testament Commentary aims to take with equal seriousness the divine and human aspects of Scripture. It expounds the books of the Old Testament in a scholarly manner, accessible to non-experts, and it shows the relevance of the Old Testament to modern readers. Written by an international team of scholars, these commentaries are intended to serve the needs of those who preach from the Old Testament, as well as scholars and all serious students of the Bible.
Volume 1 begins with an Introduction which gives an overview of the issues of date, authorship, sources and outlines the theology of the book, providing pointers towards its interpretation and contemporary application. An annotated Translation of the Hebrew text by L. Michael L. Morales forms the basis for his comments.
Within this commentary on Numbers 1-19, Form and Structure sections examine the context, source-critical and form-critical issues and rhetorical devices of each passage. Comment sections offer thorough, detailed exegesis of the historical and theological meaning of each passage, and Explanation sections offer a full exposition of the theological message within the framework of biblical theology and a commitment to the inspiration and authority of the Old Testament.
Often overlooked and regularly misunderstood, the Book of Numbers is a daunting prospect for scholars, preachers and students. It covers part of the Israelites' wilderness years between Egypt and the land of the promise - seemingly very different to and detached from our modern context. Yet God's covenant love remains the same, and the book of Numbers remains extremely relevant for ecclesiology and for the church's life within the already-not yet of the present 'wilderness' era.
In his magisterial new commentary, Morales carefully demonstrates the ongoing relevance of Numbers, it's positive vision for life and the surprising challenge it offers to contemporary Christians. This detailed and comprehensive commentary sheds fresh light on a part of the Bible often referenced yet rarely preached and explained.
The Apollos Old Testament Commentary aims to take with equal seriousness the divine and human aspects of Scripture. It expounds the books of the Old Testament in a scholarly manner, accessible to non-experts, and it shows the relevance of the Old Testament to modern readers. Written by an international team of scholars, these commentaries are intended to serve the needs of those who preach from the Old Testament, as well as scholars and all serious students of the Bible.
Volume 1 begins with an Introduction which gives an overview of the issues of date, authorship, sources and outlines the theology of the book, providing pointers towards its interpretation and contemporary application. An annotated Translation of the Hebrew text by L. Michael L. Morales forms the basis for his comments.
Within this commentary on Numbers 1-19, Form and Structure sections examine the context, source-critical and form-critical issues and rhetorical devices of each passage. Comment sections offer thorough, detailed exegesis of the historical and theological meaning of each passage, and Explanation sections offer a full exposition of the theological message within the framework of biblical theology and a commitment to the inspiration and authority of the Old Testament.
811 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 15, 2025
Excellent.
The amount of research this commentary interacts with while remaining readable and enjoyable was impressive. More familiarity with Jewish material than most commentaries I’ve read on the Pentateuch.
The introduction is worth pulling out as a separate book. You can buy it, read the intro, and use the rest as reference.
The commentary is thoroughly focused on Numbers. There’s very little biblical or systematic theology. Frustrating at times.
Finally, what few people might know about Morales, is that he is introducing the theology of Leithart and Jordan to the evangelical world through solid commentary (in my opinion). I remain eager to see when publishers/theologians pick up on this, and when the two camps seriously interact on a public level.
Trailer: Imagine God riding on a chariot of myriads of angels. Now, imagine God replicating this by creating a host of humanity as his chariot on earth. And imagine the host of humanity as a representation of the stars—even the zodiac—giving earth a representation of heaven. Welcome to the book of Numbers
The amount of research this commentary interacts with while remaining readable and enjoyable was impressive. More familiarity with Jewish material than most commentaries I’ve read on the Pentateuch.
The introduction is worth pulling out as a separate book. You can buy it, read the intro, and use the rest as reference.
The commentary is thoroughly focused on Numbers. There’s very little biblical or systematic theology. Frustrating at times.
Finally, what few people might know about Morales, is that he is introducing the theology of Leithart and Jordan to the evangelical world through solid commentary (in my opinion). I remain eager to see when publishers/theologians pick up on this, and when the two camps seriously interact on a public level.
Trailer: Imagine God riding on a chariot of myriads of angels. Now, imagine God replicating this by creating a host of humanity as his chariot on earth. And imagine the host of humanity as a representation of the stars—even the zodiac—giving earth a representation of heaven. Welcome to the book of Numbers
December 25, 2025
One of the best commentaries that I have ever read. Just superb! Ready to start vol 2.
October 12, 2024
Every book I’ve read from Morales is a banger
September 4, 2024
See my much fuller review at SpoiledMilks (Sept 5, 2024).
The literary structure is key in understanding any book of the Bible. While many have believed Number’s theology and importance are elusive. Morales disagrees. He includes neglected Jewish scholarship from all periods because they provide “satisfying solutions to these [literary an theological] conundrums” (xiii).
Morales believes that Numbers should be preached and taught within the walls of the church. After ten years in Numbers he is now in greater awe of the Lord and his mercy than ever before, and his views of what make up true spirituality in this world have been reshaped. This is not how most people think of the book of Numbers, yet it is essential to the spiritual life of the church. According to Morales, “Numbers is both compass and map for the journey” to our destination, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6), “revealing both the glory of YHWH and the nature of humanity” (1).
The Chocolate Milk
Morales provides numerous figures (12) and tables (33!) to help us moderns visualize what all of these details meant for the ancient Israelite.
Morales’ commentary is also very detailed, more technical commentary (though not like the critical kinds). Morales interprets the canonical book of Numbers as we have it today. He shows framing techniques such as inclusios and repetition within a passage and then elsewhere in Numbers to draw together theological connections. The literary motifs between Numbers 11–15 and the sin of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 was simply brilliant.
The Spoiled Milk
In the Table of Contents, the Introduction is very detailed, while nothing is listed for the textual commentary. Also, the Hebrew is transliterated, which isn’t helpful for anyone really.
Recommended?
Morales’ commentary is an example of Proverbs 2:4–5. In all of his digging, Morales finds gold everywhere. This is the California Gold Rush.
I received this book by Apollos in exchange for an honest review.
The literary structure is key in understanding any book of the Bible. While many have believed Number’s theology and importance are elusive. Morales disagrees. He includes neglected Jewish scholarship from all periods because they provide “satisfying solutions to these [literary an theological] conundrums” (xiii).
Morales believes that Numbers should be preached and taught within the walls of the church. After ten years in Numbers he is now in greater awe of the Lord and his mercy than ever before, and his views of what make up true spirituality in this world have been reshaped. This is not how most people think of the book of Numbers, yet it is essential to the spiritual life of the church. According to Morales, “Numbers is both compass and map for the journey” to our destination, dwelling in the house of the Lord forever (Psalm 23:6), “revealing both the glory of YHWH and the nature of humanity” (1).
The Chocolate Milk
Morales provides numerous figures (12) and tables (33!) to help us moderns visualize what all of these details meant for the ancient Israelite.
Morales’ commentary is also very detailed, more technical commentary (though not like the critical kinds). Morales interprets the canonical book of Numbers as we have it today. He shows framing techniques such as inclusios and repetition within a passage and then elsewhere in Numbers to draw together theological connections. The literary motifs between Numbers 11–15 and the sin of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 was simply brilliant.
The Spoiled Milk
In the Table of Contents, the Introduction is very detailed, while nothing is listed for the textual commentary. Also, the Hebrew is transliterated, which isn’t helpful for anyone really.
Recommended?
Morales’ commentary is an example of Proverbs 2:4–5. In all of his digging, Morales finds gold everywhere. This is the California Gold Rush.
I received this book by Apollos in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2025
Numbers 1-19, by L. Michael Morales. Apollos, 2024. Hardback, 502 pages, $53.99.
The book of Numbers is undoubtedly one of the more challenging portions of the Bible. L. Michael Morales’s 2015 book, “Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?” masterfully unstuck Bible readers from their journey through Leviticus, and Morales now likewise unsticks readers from the wilderness of Numbers. The apparent disorder that greets the superficial reader opens the way to a profound unity and a powerful gospel message. Morales ably guides the reader to rich spiritual treasures in this Old Testament handbook on ecclesiology.
Morales argues persuasively that Numbers is not merely about preparations for departure or God’s testing in the wilderness, but it is the “flowering of YHWH’s engagement with Israel at Sinai” (13). “Numbers is chiefly an analysis of Israel as the covenant community formed at Sinai, structurally expressed as the camp of Israel,” and Israel’s second generation “serves as a paradigm for God’s people in every generation” (2). The camp of Israel is a historical fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to dwell with his people.
Having established that premise, the entire book begins to unfold. Key passages such as the law of restitution, the law for the strayed woman, and the law of the Nazirite vow find their place as exemplary laws to maintain the purity of the camp in relation to one’s neighbors, one’s family, and one’s God (47). The three-tiered structure of the camp reflects the camp’s ideal leadership, especially Moses’ office as prophet, Aaron’s office of priesthood, and YHWH’s office of kingship (42). Comparisons to Ezekiel and Revelation confirm Morales’s findings, as both prophets draw heavily on camp imagery to portray Christ’s church. It is in the camp of Israel in the wilderness that Israel learned how to live as the covenant people of God; thus, the camp forms a pattern for the church today as we travel through the wilderness of this world.
The commentary begins with a lengthy introduction (74 pages) followed by repeated sections of translation, notes on the text, notes on form and structure, commentary, and explanation. Multiple charts and illustrations clarify the design of the camp and important parallels through the text. Potential buyers should note that Volume 1 covers only Numbers chapters 1-19, and that this first volume doesn’t contain a bibliography or indices. Volume 2 is also available, and it would be best to purchase both volumes together to maximize the usefulness of each. Both volumes are available in Logos as well as in hardcover.
One strength of Morales’ commentary is its abundant connections to Christ and the New Testament. Morales unashamedly points the reader from the text to Christ. This is a welcome approach considering how some commentaries remain too narrowly confined to the Old Testament context. I found myself praising God for the knowledge I was gaining. Israel’s God is our God: the same yesterday, today, and forever! Another strength of the book is Morales’s interaction with Jewish scholarship. This is new territory for many of us. Morales utilizes Jewish scholarship to corroborate his findings, as well as to raise intriguing possibilities, such as connections between the design of Israel’s camp and the signs of the zodiac (23).
While one endorsement calls this book a “page-turner,” the average reader will find the commentary dense reading. Anyone familiar with Morales’s earlier works, “Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?” and “Exodus Old and New,” will recognize that this commentary is on another level. The book is best suited for pastors preaching through the book of Numbers and for biblical scholars looking for a comprehensive evangelical commentary. That said, the lengthy introduction is quite accessible to most Christian readers and worth the price of the book.
This book will be the primary modern evangelical commentary for a long time to come. Morales has paved new ground while remaining rooted in historic interpretations that have for too waited to be rediscovered. The church owes a debt of gratitude to Morales for advancing our understanding and appreciation of God’s word. May God use this commentary to increase our faith and love as we hide its truths in our hearts and practice them in our lives.
The book of Numbers is undoubtedly one of the more challenging portions of the Bible. L. Michael Morales’s 2015 book, “Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?” masterfully unstuck Bible readers from their journey through Leviticus, and Morales now likewise unsticks readers from the wilderness of Numbers. The apparent disorder that greets the superficial reader opens the way to a profound unity and a powerful gospel message. Morales ably guides the reader to rich spiritual treasures in this Old Testament handbook on ecclesiology.
Morales argues persuasively that Numbers is not merely about preparations for departure or God’s testing in the wilderness, but it is the “flowering of YHWH’s engagement with Israel at Sinai” (13). “Numbers is chiefly an analysis of Israel as the covenant community formed at Sinai, structurally expressed as the camp of Israel,” and Israel’s second generation “serves as a paradigm for God’s people in every generation” (2). The camp of Israel is a historical fulfillment of God’s covenant promise to dwell with his people.
Having established that premise, the entire book begins to unfold. Key passages such as the law of restitution, the law for the strayed woman, and the law of the Nazirite vow find their place as exemplary laws to maintain the purity of the camp in relation to one’s neighbors, one’s family, and one’s God (47). The three-tiered structure of the camp reflects the camp’s ideal leadership, especially Moses’ office as prophet, Aaron’s office of priesthood, and YHWH’s office of kingship (42). Comparisons to Ezekiel and Revelation confirm Morales’s findings, as both prophets draw heavily on camp imagery to portray Christ’s church. It is in the camp of Israel in the wilderness that Israel learned how to live as the covenant people of God; thus, the camp forms a pattern for the church today as we travel through the wilderness of this world.
The commentary begins with a lengthy introduction (74 pages) followed by repeated sections of translation, notes on the text, notes on form and structure, commentary, and explanation. Multiple charts and illustrations clarify the design of the camp and important parallels through the text. Potential buyers should note that Volume 1 covers only Numbers chapters 1-19, and that this first volume doesn’t contain a bibliography or indices. Volume 2 is also available, and it would be best to purchase both volumes together to maximize the usefulness of each. Both volumes are available in Logos as well as in hardcover.
One strength of Morales’ commentary is its abundant connections to Christ and the New Testament. Morales unashamedly points the reader from the text to Christ. This is a welcome approach considering how some commentaries remain too narrowly confined to the Old Testament context. I found myself praising God for the knowledge I was gaining. Israel’s God is our God: the same yesterday, today, and forever! Another strength of the book is Morales’s interaction with Jewish scholarship. This is new territory for many of us. Morales utilizes Jewish scholarship to corroborate his findings, as well as to raise intriguing possibilities, such as connections between the design of Israel’s camp and the signs of the zodiac (23).
While one endorsement calls this book a “page-turner,” the average reader will find the commentary dense reading. Anyone familiar with Morales’s earlier works, “Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?” and “Exodus Old and New,” will recognize that this commentary is on another level. The book is best suited for pastors preaching through the book of Numbers and for biblical scholars looking for a comprehensive evangelical commentary. That said, the lengthy introduction is quite accessible to most Christian readers and worth the price of the book.
This book will be the primary modern evangelical commentary for a long time to come. Morales has paved new ground while remaining rooted in historic interpretations that have for too waited to be rediscovered. The church owes a debt of gratitude to Morales for advancing our understanding and appreciation of God’s word. May God use this commentary to increase our faith and love as we hide its truths in our hearts and practice them in our lives.
May 5, 2025
Volume 1 of Michael Morales' two-volume Numbers commentary. This is pretty recently published and was getting rave reviews. And it is quite detailed, tons of info, and tons of insights, and it would be a definite must if you were teaching or preaching from Numbers. Lots of good stuff. I do have some bones to pick, though.
1) It pretty frequently had the feel of a giant "notes dump," in that instead of flowing explanation of the text if often seemed like the author was just piling all the info and notes that he could on every verse. That isn't only bad, but it could make swaths of it a bit tedious and hard to follow a clear thread.
2) As detailed and academic as this commentary is, using transliteration for the Hebrew rather than actual Hebrew is ridiculous. I blame the Apollos Series editors. Transliteration is dumb. It doesn't help anyone. Those who can't read Hebrew aren't benefitted, and those who can read Hebrew just get annoyed.
3) Morales' has another book on the theology of Leviticus ("Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?") which is fabulous, and sets the book of Leviticus within the larger biblical framework and theme of access to God. So Morales can do to-tier whole-Bible theology. As many pages as these two-volumes are, I wish there was more discussion tying things into the New Testament. Maybe volume-2 will have more of that. I hope so.
1) It pretty frequently had the feel of a giant "notes dump," in that instead of flowing explanation of the text if often seemed like the author was just piling all the info and notes that he could on every verse. That isn't only bad, but it could make swaths of it a bit tedious and hard to follow a clear thread.
2) As detailed and academic as this commentary is, using transliteration for the Hebrew rather than actual Hebrew is ridiculous. I blame the Apollos Series editors. Transliteration is dumb. It doesn't help anyone. Those who can't read Hebrew aren't benefitted, and those who can read Hebrew just get annoyed.
3) Morales' has another book on the theology of Leviticus ("Who Shall Ascend the Mountain of the Lord?") which is fabulous, and sets the book of Leviticus within the larger biblical framework and theme of access to God. So Morales can do to-tier whole-Bible theology. As many pages as these two-volumes are, I wish there was more discussion tying things into the New Testament. Maybe volume-2 will have more of that. I hope so.
November 26, 2025
Oh man, is this commentary going to be good! I just started it today, so how can I possibly know that? I'm glad you asked. Every time I read through Numbers I get to chapter 7 and I'm like "why did Moses feel the need to repeat the same offering twelve different times making the chapter 89! verses long?!?" What is with the Hebrews and the need for repetition?
Well! I'm only in the introduction of this book in which Prof Morales is explaining the connection between Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, and voila! there is the answer, plain as day. Now, am I going to GIVE you the answer? No, I am not, lazy person, get the commentary and read it for yourself, but I now understand why Numbers 7 is so darn long and it's pretty important, fundamental to understanding the whole book of Numbers, really.
I guess in the course of the commentary(s)—this baby is two volumes! (By the way, they are both on sale at Logos Bible Software now, but, pro tip, buy them individually, because it's cheaper than buying the set of them (insert shrug emoji here))—Mr. Morales includes a lot of references to Judaic scholarship because he says it sheds a lot of light on the text.
This is gonna be REALLY good.
Well! I'm only in the introduction of this book in which Prof Morales is explaining the connection between Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, and voila! there is the answer, plain as day. Now, am I going to GIVE you the answer? No, I am not, lazy person, get the commentary and read it for yourself, but I now understand why Numbers 7 is so darn long and it's pretty important, fundamental to understanding the whole book of Numbers, really.
I guess in the course of the commentary(s)—this baby is two volumes! (By the way, they are both on sale at Logos Bible Software now, but, pro tip, buy them individually, because it's cheaper than buying the set of them (insert shrug emoji here))—Mr. Morales includes a lot of references to Judaic scholarship because he says it sheds a lot of light on the text.
This is gonna be REALLY good.
April 7, 2025
This was an amazing commentary on the first half of Numbers. Numbers is well-known for not having good commentaries, but Morales has finally provided us with an excellent study tool for this underrated book.
The only criticisms I have is that Morales implies an early Exodus date; as an archaeologist, I can safely say that excavated materials and textual data confirm the late Exodus date. But Morales makes few references to his early date position, so it doesn’t take away from his overall research.
Again, this commentary is valuable. I suggest this for every Christian, especially one who finds laws boring. Laws are not boring, and Morales explains this beautifully.
The only criticisms I have is that Morales implies an early Exodus date; as an archaeologist, I can safely say that excavated materials and textual data confirm the late Exodus date. But Morales makes few references to his early date position, so it doesn’t take away from his overall research.
Again, this commentary is valuable. I suggest this for every Christian, especially one who finds laws boring. Laws are not boring, and Morales explains this beautifully.
April 1, 2025
I don't normally read a commentary straight though from cover to cover, but this one was entirely worth the effort! What a phenomenally insightful book, packed with insights and biblical-theological connections. Peter Leithart had it marked as one of his top books from 2024. Glad I took him up on his recommendation!
December 6, 2024
The best commentary on Numbers in my opinion.
March 7, 2025
A model commentary. If you could only pick one for Numbers, this one is it.
November 11, 2025
This is THE commentary on Numbers that you should read. It is quite outstanding. The introduction alone is worth the price of the book.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews