Reading Law: The Rhetorical Shaping of the Pentateuch: No. 59 (Biblical Seminar) - Softcover

Watts, James W

 
9781850759973: Reading Law: The Rhetorical Shaping of the Pentateuch: No. 59 (Biblical Seminar)
Softcover
ISBN 10: 1850759979 ISBN 13: 9781850759973
Publisher: Continuum International Publishing, 1999

Synopsis

Watts here argues that conventions of oral rhetoric were adapted to shape the literary form and contents of the Pentateuch. The large-scale structure-stories introducing lists of laws that conclude with divine sanctions-reproduces a common ancient strategy for persuasion. The laws' use of direct address, historical motivations and frequent repetitions serve rhetorical ends, and even the legal contradictions seem designed to appeal to competing constituencies. The instructional speeches of God and Moses reinforce the persuasive appeal by characterizing God as a just ruler and Moses as a faithful scribe. The Pentateuch was designed to persuade Persian-period Judaeans that this Torah should define their identity as Israel.

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About the Author

James Watts is Associate Professor of Religion at Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA. Paul House is Professor of Old Testament Interpretation at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky.

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Publisher
Continuum International Publishing
Publication date
1999
Language
English
ISBN 10 
1850759979
ISBN 13 
9781850759973
Binding
Paperback
Number of pages
190