Exploring Exodus: The Origins of Biblical Israel [Paperback]

Nahum M. Sarna (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 1996

Sarna examines the distinctiveness of the Exodus narrative in light of ancient Near Eastern history and contemporaneous cultures--Egyptian, Assyrian, Canaanite, and Babylonian. In a new Foreword to the 1996 edition, Sarna takes up the debate over whether the exodus from Egypt really happened, clarifying the arguments on both sides and drawing us back to the uniqueness and enduring significance of biblical text.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A thorough and highly sophisticated reflection on the biblical text."
--Brevard S. Childs, Yale University

"An excellent companion volume to the biblical book of Exodus itself."
--Baruch A. Levine, New York University

"Sheds a brilliant light upon one of the greatest books in the possession of humankind."
--Chaim Potok, author of Wanderings

From the Inside Flap

Sarna examines the distinctiveness of the Exodus narrative in light of ancient Near Eastern history and contemporaneous cultures--Egyptian, Assyrian, Canaanite, and Babylonian. In a new Foreword to the 1996 edition, Sarna takes up the debate over whether the exodus from Egypt really happened, clarifying the arguments on both sides and drawing us back to the uniqueness and enduring significance of biblical text.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Schocken (April 2, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805210636
• ISBN-13: 978-0805210637
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #200,702 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A neat little book, January 16, 2001

By 

Michael Lewyn (Forest Hills, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Exploring Exodus: The Origins of Biblical Israel (Paperback)

Sarna's book guides the reader through Exodus, and tries to place it in the context of other Middle Eastern cultures (while at the same time not ignoring the key differences between Israel and its polytheistic neighbors). The book is full of interesting little tidbits: for example, "Mose" (meaning "son" or "one who is born" in Egyptian) was commonly a part of ancient Egyptian names, and kings had names like "Thut-mose" (so it makes sense that the egyptians would name a baby "Moses" or some variant thereof). Basically a work of history rather than theology--that is, it doesn't really purport to address the big questions of who wrote Exodus, etc. Rather, it shows readers how Exodus made sense to ancient readers familiar with heathen customs.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sarna - Exploring Exodus, February 27, 2011

By 

Daniel (The Hague, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Exploring Exodus: The Origins of Biblical Israel (Paperback)

This book is essentially a commentary on Exodus but framed in such a way that it can be read without having the text constantly in front of you. The main sources for the commentary are the results of Biblical and Ancient Near Eastern scholarship which he uses to place the narrative in its context and supplement on what is found therein.

He admits at the outset that "the Torah is not a book of history but one that makes use of history for didactic purposes" (xi) and tries to show by means of this background material what these purposes were.

In 9 chapters he does this and very succesfully. His suggestions based on similarities (or differences) between other ancient material are at the very least fascinating and in many cases quite persuasive. His approach is critical but not overly so, he is careful in his suggestions and generally engages the primary sources without making sweeping generalizations. Especially the chapter that compares laws from the Torah with that of other cultures I found very interesting.

I would recommend the book to people interested in looking at parts of the narrative from the perspective of the Ancient Near East. Both the similarities and differences yield a very interesting picture.

Grade:

8 out of 10

12 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A book to savor and keep, March 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Exploring Exodus: The Origins of Biblical Israel (Paperback)

I first read this book ...and his Genesis work..in library copies for a study group. I am buying both because the insight and the language literally transported me! Do not read this alone because you will want to share thoughts. Even when you are alone, you will want to return to a line and say it aloud. This will be a cherished book regardless of your professed faith. I plan to give extra copies as gifts! The only reason it is four stars is because Exodus is getting five!