The land was one of the most vibrant symbols for the people of ancient Israel. In the land - gift, promise, and challenge - was found the physical source of Israel's fertility and life, and a place for the gathering of the hopes of the covenant people. In this careful treatment, Walter Brueggemann follows the development of his theme through the major blocks of Israel's traditions. The book provides a point of entrance both to the theology of the Old Testament and to aspects of the New Testament - even as it illuminates crucial issues of the contemporary scene, Recurring problems with border conflicts, soil and water pollution, and homelessness prompt the author's reflections on the relation between the biblical traditions and our contemporary dilemmas. In this fully revised edition of a classic work, Brueggemann provides new insights in an additional chapter, as well as updating the discussion, notes, and bibliography.