Exploring the Composition of the Pentateuch, Volume 2

While the critique of existing approaches to the composition of the Pentateuch has its place, the editors of this volume argue that there is a need to formulate positive proposals based on verifiable data and logical argumentation. Building on the foundation established in the preceding volume, Exploring the Composition of the Pentateuch, Volume 2 pursues this goal by addressing three essential questions: What are key strategic areas of research that need attention? In what areas can we draw conclusions? And what are the limits of available, relevant evidence?

Part 1 of this volume investigates the readability of the Pentateuch, exploring narrative techniques, inconsistencies, and coherence. Part 2 tackles issues relevant for the dating of Deuteronomy, like the narrative retelling in Deut 1–3, dating based on parallels to the Loyalty Oath of Esarhaddon, and deuteronomistic tribal language. And part 3 focuses on issues related to the overall dating of the Pentateuch, discussing empirical models, comparisons with the Hazor Legal Fragments, turning points in pentateuchal scholarship, the direction of dependence between the legal material of the Pentateuch, and the absence of Zion theology in the Pentateuch.

In addition to the editors, the contributors include Richard E. Averbeck, John S. Bergsma, Joshua Berman, Daniel I. Block, Mark Steven Francois, Roy E. Gane, Richard S. Hess, Benjamin Kilchör, Noel K. Weeks.

“This diverse collection of essays challenges both the status quo and cutting-edge theories in today’s Pentateuchal historical critical research. Its essays challenge oft unchallenged presuppositions related to the dating and literary coherence of the Pentateuch, offering a wide assortment of effective arguments engaging its non-Western literary coherence, literary reuse and dependence, ancient scribal and editorial practices, dialectical variation in diachronic linguistics, among other important topics.”—Neal A. Huddleston, Trinity International University

L. S. Baker Jr. is Adjunct Professor of Old Testament in the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary at Andrews University.

Kenneth Bergland is Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies.

Felipe A. Masotti is Professor of Hebrew Bible at Paraná Adventist College.

A. Rahel Wells is Professor of Old Testament at Andrews University.

List of Abbreviations

Introduction

L. S. Baker Jr., Kenneth Bergland, Felipe A. Masotti, and A. Rahel Wells

Part 1: The Readability of the Pentateuch

Chapter 1. Case Studies of Some Apparent Inconsistencies in the Pentateuch

Roy E. Gane

Chapter 2. Contradiction, Coherence, and Composition

Kenneth Bergland

Chapter 3. Sophisticated Narrative Technique of the Pentateuch

Noel K. Weeks

Chapter 4. The Coherence and Internal Rationale

of the Priestly Legislation in the Pentateuch with Special Attention to the “Guild Offering”

Richard Averbeck

Part 2: The Dating of Deuteronomy

Chapter 5. Selective Literary Representation of Vassal Obsequiousness and Responsive Awareness in the Amarna Letters, the Hittite Treaty Prologues, and Deuteronomy 1–3

Felipe A. Masotti

Chapter 6. Borrowed Curses: The Loyalty Oath of Esarhaddon, Deuteronomy 28:20–44, and a Premonarchic Date for the Earliest Edition of Deuteronomy

Mark Steven Francois

Chapter 7. The Tribes of Israel (Part 1): Their Significance for Assessing the Provenance of the Book of Deuteronomy

Daniel I. Block

Chapter 8. The Tribes of Israel (Part 2): Their Significance for Assessing the Provenance of Deuteronomy 33

Daniel I. Block

Part 3: The Dating of the Pentateuch

Chapter 9. The Biblical Criticism of Ibn Hazm the Andalusian: A Medieval Control for Modern Diachronic Method

Joshua Berman

Chapter 10. Questions Concerning the Covenant Code in Light of the Hazor Legal Fragments

Richard S. Hess

Chapter 11. Three Turning Points in Research History Toward a Farewell to the Mosaic Origin of the Pentateuch: How Strong Are They?

Benjamin Kilch.r

Chapter 12. Direction of Dependence in the Animal‑Related Sabbath Laws in the Pentateuch

A. Rahel Wells

Chapter 13. Did Postexilic Judaism Really Abandon Jerusalem and the Temple? A Discussion with Jean Louis Ska on the Absence of Zion Theology from the Pentateuch

John S. Bergsma

List of Contributors

Subject Index

Ancient Source Index

Download a PDF sample chapter here: Introduction