Studies in the Semiotics of Biblical Law
Overview
This book explains and illustrates a variety of semiotic issues in the study of biblical law. Commencing with a review of relevant literature in linguistics, philosophy, semiotics, and psychology—it examines biblical law in terms of its users, its medium, and its message. It criticizes our use of the notion of literal meaning at the level of both words and sentences, preferring to see meaning constructed by the narrative images that the language evokes. These images may come from either social experience or cultural narratives. Speech performance is important, both in the negotiation of the law and the narratives of its communication. Non-linguistic semiotic phenomena—utilizing other senses and involving such notions as space and time—also need to be taken into account. For the early biblical period, at least, conceptions of law based upon modern models need to be replaced by the notion of 'wisdom-laws'. Amongst the issues addressed in the course of the argument are the structure of the Decalogue, the role in the law of postulates, covenant renewal, and punishment.
Looking for the entire series? The Old Testament Law Collection (11 vols.) is available for download!
- Exegesis of Biblical law in application
- Examination of connotative meaning within the law
- Careful examination of the practice of justice in ancient Israel
- All Scripture references are linked to the Bibles in your library
- Title: Studies in the Semiotics of Biblical Law
- Author: Bernard S. Jackson
- Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press
- Publication Date: 2000
- Pages: 356
