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The Pentateuch

The Five Books of Moses Part One:

RELG 201 Biblical Literature Lecture 03 Claflin University Dr. David Battle

The Pentateuch

The five Books of Moses


Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy

The Pentateuch provides the foundational source for Judaism and Christianity.

The Pentateuch: Canonical Reading


The books can be read as a unit.
Exod. 1:1 Lev. 1:1 Num. 1:1

Deuteronomy contains three sermons of Moses.


The first sermon Deut. 1:6-4:43 The second sermon Deut. 4:44-11:32 The third sermon Deut. 27:1-30:20

Pentateuch: Authorship
Tradition
Moses with the assistance of Joshua Pentateuchal witness
Exod. 24: 4-7; 34:27 Deut. 31:24-26

If these traditions are taken at face value, then the Pentateuch was written around 1400 B.C.

Pentateuch: Authorship, Traditional


The tradition found in other Biblical books
General Reference
Josh. 1:7-8 (pre 580 B.C.) 1 Kings 2:3 (pre 580 B.C.)

Explicit Links
Ezra 6:18 (c. 430 B.C. & 515 B.C.) Mal 4:4 (c. 430 B.C.) 2 Kings 14:6 (c. 580 B.C. & c. 780 B.C.)

Implicit links
2 Samuel 24 (before 580 B.C. & 1000 B.C.) Exod. 30:11-16

The Pentateuch
The Five Books of Moses Part Two:

RELG 201 Biblical Literature Lecture 03 Claflin University Dr. David Battle

Pentateuch: Source Criticism


Critical Enlighten Scholars question Mosaic authorship.
Deuteronomy 34 Moses is referred to in the third person.

Some early critics believed that writing was not invented. Theological reflections are too advanced.
When people were polytheist, the Pentateuch depicts Monotheism.

Benedict de Spinoza 1632-1677

The Pentateuch: Source Criticism


Distinct Sources
1. The J source can be arranged into a coherent narrative. 2. The E source seems to supplement J. 3. The D Source or Deuteronomy is independent of JE 4. The P source can be separated from E by an emphasis on ritual matters or cultic material.

Source Criticism, Julius Wellhausen (1844-1918)


Reordered the Sources of the Pentateuch and order according to a reconstructed the history of Israelite religion.
Early or pre-Israelite people had to be polytheist. Monolatry Julius Wellhausen Henotheism (1844-1918) Monotheism Ethical Monotheism Legalism

Source Criticism, Julius Wellhausen (1844-1918)


The Pentateuch resulted from a series of documents and redactions. Gave prominence to Abrahamic traditions, such as the promise of land.
Hexateuch (Six books) Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua.

Source Criticism, Julius Wellhausen (1844-1918)


The Pentateuch resulted from a series of documents and redactions. Gave prominence to Abrahamic traditions, such as the promise of land.
Hexateuch (Six books) Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua.

Pentateuch
The Bible is a very complex and subtle work. There are many sub themes but they are all intended to be read together.
Umberto Cassuto (1883-1951)
Elohim indicated a more abstract and universal depiction of God. Yahweh (J or LORD) indicated a more personal depiction of God.
Umberto Cassuto 1883-1951

The Pentateuch
The Five Books of Moses Part Three: A Brief Survey of the Pentatuech

RELG 201 Biblical Literature Lecture 03 Claflin University Dr. David Battle

Genesis: The Book of Beginnings


First Book of the Pentateuch First Book of the Old Testament First Book of the Christian Bible Accounts for the beginning of universe Accounts for the beginning of humanity Accounts for the beginning of humanitys propensity toward evil.

Genesis: Primeval History


Primeval History (Genesis 1-11)
The Account (Genealogies) of Adam (5:1-6:8) The Account of Noah (6:9-9:29) The Account of the Son's of Noah: Shem, Ham, and Jepheth (10:1-11:9) The Account of Shem (11:10-26)

Genesis: Primeval History


Traces the relationship between God and humanity as a whole. Often called Myth
A myth is a story that establishes a world view for a culture or people.

Biblical Worldview
Monotheism Humanity made in the image of God. Capable: Some autonomy: Arrogant: Humanity operates under a curse and limits imposed by God.

Genesis: Patriarchal History


Traces the relationship between God and the Abrahamic family. Often called Legend Contains Etiologies

Genesis: Patriarchal History


Patriarchal History (Genesis 12-50)
The Account of Terah (11:27-25:11)
Abrahamic Narratives

The Account of Abraham's son Ishmael (25:12-18) The Account of Abraham's son Isaac (25:19-35:29)
Isaac and Jacob Narratives

The Account of Esau (36:1-37:1) The Account of Jacob (37:2-50:26)


Joseph Narratives

Patriarchal History
Abrahamic Narratives (Gen. 11:27-25:18) Isaac and Jacob Narratives(Gen 25:19-37:1)
Joseph Narratives (Gen. 37:2-50:26)

Abrahamic Narratives
God calls Abram and establishes a covenant with him.
God makes four promises (Gen. 12:1-4). Abraham is puts the Covenant in jeopardy. Abraham attempts to supplant the Covenant.

Abraham obeys and believes God. God confirms His Covenant with Abraham and his descendants.

Exodus-Leviticus and Numbers:


The Creation of a Nation

God brings forth a nation (Exod. 1:1-13:16). The people journey from Egypt to Sinai (Exod. 13: 17-19:2). God establishes His Covenant with the people of Israel (Exod. 19:3-Num. 10:10). The people wander the wilderness (Num. 10:11-21:20). Israel on the Plains of Moab (Num. 21:21-26:13)

Exodus-Leviticus and Numbers:


The Creation of a Nation

Themes: God reveals Himself to the world and redeems a people for Himself.

Sub-Themes
Israel grudgingly trust God which brings divine judgment. Moses intercede for the people. God blesses the people in spite of their unfaithfulness.

The Creation of a Nation


Exodus-Leviticus and Numbers

The Covenant (Exod. 19:3-Num. 10:10).


God calls Israel to His royal priesthood and a holy nation representing Him to the world (Exod. 19:5-6).

A Holy Priesthood
God tabernacles with His people (Exod. .
A holy God requires a holy people. A place to worship God. The proper rituals for worshiping God. The proper dcor for holy leaders. ESV Study Bible

The Holiness Code (Leviticus 17-26)

Leviticus
Main Characters:
Aaron and his sons. The Tribe of Levi

Theme: A holy God requires a holy people.


The proper rituals for worshiping God. The proper dcor for holy leaders. The proper personal purity to enter Gods prescience.

Israelite Sacrifices
Five Major Offering
Name
Burnt Offering Grain Offering Peace Offering Sin Offering (ESV Study Bible 217)

Emphasis
underscores prayers of petition or praise pleasing aroma; often mirrors emphasis of the offering it accompanies fellowship with the Lord by having a communion meal atonement of a committed sin; metaphor of purification atonement of a committed sin; metaphor of compensation for wrongdoing

Focus is on the general Focus is on the proper procedure or reasons handling, eating, or for the offerings disposal of the offerings
Leviticus 1 Leviticus. 2 Leviticus 3 Lev. 4:15:13 Lev. 6:813 Lev. 6:1423 Lev. 7:1136 Lev. 6:2430

Guilt Offering

Lev. 5:146:7

Lev. 7:110

Pattern of Israelite Sacrifices


First, the worshiper had to atone for sin.
Restitution and fines had to be paid. Sin and/or guilt offering.*

The worshiper committed himself to God through the whole Burnt Offering. The worship culminated with a communal meal in the form of a Peace Offering.
* There is no offering mentioned for intentional sin.

Israelite Festivals
ESV Study Bible 247

The Sabbath principle permeates each of these feasts, which are intended to express the divine-human relationship. Each feast requires (1) cessation from ordinary work and (2) dedication to the Lord by means of offerings.
Feast Sabbath Passover Reference Lev. 23:3 Lev. 23:48 Lev. 23:914 Lev. 23:1521 Lev. 23:2325 Lev. 23:2632 Lev.23:3336 General time of year Weekly Spring Specific time of year 7th day 14th of first month (Abib) 16th of first month (Abib) 1st of third month (Sivan) 1st of seventh month (Tishri) 10th of seventh month (Tishri) 15th22nd of seventh month (Tishri) Modern equivalent Saturday March/April (Easter) Significance Creation Salvation

First fruits

Spring

March/April (Easter)

Dedication

Weeks

Spring

Pentecost

Dedication

Trumpets

Fall

Late September

Solemn assembly; spiritual preparation Redemption

Day of Atonement

Fall

September/October

Booths

Fall

October

Joyful remembrance of the Lords historic guidance

Also see ESV Study Bible 310

Deuteronomy
Main Characters:
Moses and Joshua

Theme: Moses exhorts the people of Israel to follow the way of life and to shun the path of death.

Deuteronomy
Conflict: Moses cannot enter the promise land, but must get the people ready.
Transfer of leadership. New generation comes of age.

The Deuteronomistic Code


Re-presentation of the Covenant
Ten Commandments (Deut. 5:1-21//Exod. 20:1-17)

Shema (Deut. 6:4-6)

Deuteronomy
Sets the stage for the Historical Books.
Deuteronomistic History Former and Latter Prophets

The way of death The way of life

The Pentateuch
The Five Books of Moses Part Three: Literary Genres in the Pentateuch

RELG 201 Biblical Literature Lecture 03 Claflin University Dr. David Battle

Literary Genres in the Pentateuch


Mostly Narrative
Meta Narratives
Cosmological Narratives Ancestral Narratives National Narratives

Specialized Narratives
Etiologies Genealogies Itineraries

Literary Genres in the Pentateuch


Legal literature
Covenant Forms
Pentateuch as a whole and the Deuteronomy mirror known Treaty Forms of the Ancient Near East. Hittite suzerian-vassel

George E. Mendenhall

George E. Mendenhall 1916-Ret 1986

Deuteronomy as Treaty
Preamble (Deut 1:1-5) Historical Prologue (Deut 1:6-4:43) Stipulations of the Covenant (Deut 4:44-26:19)
The Great Commandments (Deut 4:44-11:32) Supplementary Requirements (Deuteronomy 12-26)

Ratification; Covenant Curses and Blessing (Deuteronomy 27-30) Leadership Succession under the Covenant (Deuteronomy 31-34)
Taken from NIV Study Bible

Literary Genres in the Pentateuch: Legal Codes


The Book of the Covenant
(Exod. 20:22-23:19)

Ritual Code
(Exod. 34:10-36

Deuteronomic Code
(Deuteronomy 12-26)

The Holiness Code


(Leviticus 17-26)

Literary Genres in the Pentateuch


Albrecht Alt
The Origins of Israelite Law (1966)

Apodictic Law (Ten Commandments)

Casuistic Law (Case Law)


Albrecht Alt 1883-1956

Rabbi Simlai claimed that there are a total of 613 laws

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