In his pathbreaking Israel in Egypt James K. Hoffmeier sought to refute the claims of scholars who doubt the historical accuracy of the biblical account of the Israelite sojourn in Egypt. Analyzing a wealth of textual, archaeological, and geographical evidence, he put forth a thorough defense of the biblical tradition. Hoffmeier now turns his attention to the Wilderness narratives of Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. As director of the North Sinai Archaeological Project, Hoffmeier has led several excavations that have uncovered important new evidence supporting the Wilderness narratives, including a major New Kingdom fort at Tell el-Borg that was occupied during the Israelite exodus. Hoffmeier employs these archaeological findings to shed new light on the route of the exodus from Egypt. He also investigates the location of Mount Sinai, and offers a rebuttal to those who have sought to locate it in northern Arabia and not in the Sinai peninsula as traditionally thought. Hoffmeier addresses how and when the Israelites could have lived in Sinai, as well as whether it would have been possible for Moses to write down the law received at Mount Sinai. Building on the new evidence for the Israelite sojourn in Egypt, Hoffmeier explores the Egyptian influence on the Wilderness tradition. For example, he finds Egyptian elements in Israelite religious practices, including the use of the tabernacle, and points to a significant number of Egyptian personal names among the generation of the exodus. The origin of Israel is a subject of much debate and the wilderness tradition has been marginalized by those who challenge its credibility. In Ancient Israel in Sinai, Hoffmeier brings the Wilderness tradition to the forefront and makes a case for its authenticity based on solid evidence and intelligent analysis.

"Hoffmeier furnishes a sophisticated fresh approach to the Biblical Exodus traditions filled with detailed Egyptological background, and utterly indispensable because of its basis in recent, and in many cases as yet unpublished, archaeological data. This is a virtual encyclopedia of the Exodus." --Baruch Halpern, Chaiken Family Chair in Jewish Studies, Penn State

"Egyptologist and ancient Near Eastern scholar, James K.Hoffmeier, has produced an important work for the ongoing study of Israel's wilderness traditions. It is an excellent example of the integration of archaeology, philology, religion, history and biblical studies by a scholar who has demonstrated over the years his outstanding abilities in all these matters. While it gives an up-to-date accounting of what is known about Israel's wilderness traditions, it makes important contributions to the study of the toponymy and history of ancient Egypt's eastern frontier, as well as that of ancient Sinai. There can be no doubt that this volume will become the standard work in these areas for years to come."--K. Lawson Younger, Jr., Professor of Old Testament, Semitic Languages and Ancient Near Eastern History, Trinity International University, Divinity School

"Biblical Scholarship and Egyptology are brought together with uncommon skill in this important study. The book contains a wealth of evidence which is as fascinating as it is well-researched."--Richard H. Wilkinson, Professor and Director, Egyptian Expedition, The University of Arizona

"As the director of numerous archaeological surveys in North Sinai and current excavations at Tell el-Borg, James Hoffmeier is one of the world's foremost authorities on Egypt's northern border defenses during the New Kingdom (c. 1550-1069 B.C.). Any new work of his will be read with interest by Egyptologists and biblical scholars alike."--Ellen F. Morris, Department of Classics, Ancient History, and Egyptology, University of Wales Swansea

"...comphrensive in scope and very readable for undergraduates. I recommend its use as a basic textbook for undergraduate courses in liturgy and sacraments, as well as for introductory courses in contemporary Catholicism." --Catholic Books Review

"When people hear the words 'symbol' or 'ritual,' they often silently supply the word 'mere': 'mere symbol,' 'mere ritual.' This book demonstrates how, in Christian practice, symbols and rituals are never 'mere,' but rather power-laden and effective. Written in accessible, classroom style by two experts in the history and theology of these matters, the book will be of great service to new Christians and to students starting out in the study of religion." — Geoffrey Wainwright, Cushman Professor of Christian Theology, Duke University

"A very accessible, well-written, and inviting introduction by two of the best sacramental theologians writing today. Filled with valuable historical background as well as practical relevance, this book will help teachers and students in a variety of settings to come to grips with the many-faceted dimensions of Christian symbol, ritual and sacrament. At a time when many seek meaningful symbols and rituals outside of the mainstream, this book will help to break open the rich storehouse within the tradition." --Susan A. Ross, Professor of Theology and Faculty Scholar, Loyola University Chicago

"Hoffmeier furnishes a sophisticated fresh approach to the Biblical Exodus traditions filled with detailed Egyptological background, and utterly indispensable because of its basis in recent, and in many cases as yet unpublished, archaeological data. This is a virtual encyclopedia of the Exodus."

--Baruch Halpern, Chaiken Family Chair in Jewish Studies, Penn State

"Egyptologist and ancient Near Eastern scholar, James K.Hoffmeier, has produced an important work for the ongoing study of Israel's wilderness traditions. It is an excellent example of the integration of archaeology, philology, religion, history and biblical studies by a scholar who has demonstrated

over the years his outstanding abilities in all these matters. While it gives an up-to-date accounting of what is known about Israel's wilderness traditions, it makes important contributions to the study of the toponymy and history of ancient Egypt's eastern frontier, as well as that of ancient

Sinai. There can be no doubt that this volume will become the standard work in these areas for years to come."--K. Lawson Younger, Jr., Professor of Old Testament, Semitic Languages and Ancient Near Eastern History, Trinity International University, Divinity School

"Biblical Scholarship and Egyptology are brought together with uncommon skill in this important study. The book contains a wealth of evidence which is as fascinating as it is well-researched."--Richard H. Wilkinson, Professor and Director, Egyptian Expedition, The University of Arizona

"As the director of numerous archaeological surveys in North Sinai and current excavations at Tell el-Borg, James Hoffmeier is one of the world's foremost authorities on Egypt's northern border defenses during the New Kingdom (c. 1550-1069 B.C.). Any new work of his will be read with interest by

Egyptologists and biblical scholars alike."--Ellen F. Morris, Department of Classics, Ancient History, and Egyptology, University of Wales Swansea

Existing books on Christian ritual and the sacraments tend to presuppose a good acquaintance with Roman Catholic thought and practice. Today, however, even at Catholic institutions students tend to lack even a basic knowledge of Christian ritual. Moreover, for many modern people the word ritual carries negative connotations of rigidity and boredom. In this accessibly-written book two noted authors offer an engaging introduction to this important topic. Their goal is first to demonstrate that celebration, ritual and symbol are already central to the readers' lives, even though most do not see their actions as symbolic or ritualistic. Once this point has been made, the book connects central Christian symbols to the symbols and rituals already present in the readers' lives. The Christian theology of symbol, ritual, and sacrament is thus placed in the context of everyday life. The authors go on to discuss such questions as how rituals establish and maintain power relationships, how official rituals are different from other popular Christian rituals and devotions, and how Christian rituals function in the process of human salvation. Their lively yet solidly grounded work will appeal to intelligent lay readers and discussion groups, as well as being useful for courses in ritual and the sacraments at the undergraduate and seminary level.

Gary Macy is Professor of Religious Studies at the University of San Diego. He has published widely in the area of Christian ritual, including The Banquet's Wisdom: A Short History of the Theologies of the Lord's Supper, 2nd ed. (2005). Bernard Cooke is the Loyola Professor of Theology Emeritus at the College of the Holy Cross and author of many books, including Power and the Spirit of God: Toward an Experience-Based Pneumatology(2004).