Theory and Method in Biblical and Cuneiform Law: Revision, Interpolation and Development

by Bernard M. Levinson

Publisher:

Sheffield Academic Press

, 1994

Overview

The essays in this volume focus on two crucial topics that have been given short shrift in the contemporary debate on the composition and formation of the Pentateuch: biblical law, and the development of Israelite legal institutions; and the significance of ancient Near Eastern law for developing a proper model for the composition and editorial history of the Pentateuch.

To correct the imbalance, the focus of this volume is on whether the biblical and cuneiform legal corpora underwent a process of literary revision and interpolation that reflects legal, social, and theological development. If so, what is the nature of this development and the evidence for it? If not, how are the textual phenomena otherwise to be explained? The volume will be of interest to students and specialists in biblical law, pentateuchal studies, and comparative legal history.

Key Features

• Exegesis on the composition and formation of key aspects in the Penteteuch
• Comprehensive development of Old Testament law
• Careful examination of the practice of justice in ancient Israel
• All Scripture references linked to the Bibles in your library

Contents

• “What is the Covenant Code?” by Bernard M. Levinson
• “The Case for Revision and Interpolation within the Biblical Legal Corpora,” by Bernard M. Levinson
• “Some Issues Relating to the Comparability of Laws and the Coherence of the Legal Tradition,” by Samuel Greengus
• “Legal Science and Legislation,” by Martin J. Buss
• “Ancient Near Eastern Laws: Continuity and Pluralism,” by Sophie Lafont
• “The Anthropology of Slavery in the Covenant Code,” by Victor H. Matthews
• “A Generic Discrepancy in the Covenant Code,” by William Morrow
• “Who is the Evolutionist?” by Dale Patrick
• “Aspects of Legal Reforms and Reformulations in Ancient Cuneiform and Israelite Law,” by Eckart Ott

Product Details

• Title: Theory and Method in Biblical and Cuneiform Law: Revision, Interpolation and Development
• Authors: Bernard M. Levinson
• Publisher: Sheffield Academic Press
• Publication Date: 2009
• Pages: 200

About Bernard M. Levinson

Bernard M. Levinson holds the Berman Family Chair of Jewish Studies and Hebrew Bible in the Department of Classical and Near Eastern Studies at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA.