This volume is part of the first English translation of the Hebrew Bible composed and printed in the United States. It was written by Isaac Leeser (1806–1868), who served as hazzan, or cantor, at Congregation Mikveh Israel and later as leader of Congregation Beth El Emeth, both in Philadelphia. Leeser was an important leader, both locally in Philadelphia as well as on the national level. He founded educational institutions and published a number of books and magazines through which he promoted his vision of Judaism, among them this translation of the Hebrew Bible.