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The Pentateuch: An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible (The Anchor Yale Bible Reference Library)

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This book by Blenkinsopp is an excellent resource for the study of the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible, also called the Torah or the Books of Moses). Though I do not recommend it for beginners who are just initiating their study of the Pentateuch, it will prove of great value for those who may be in the intermediate stage of study (and beyond) who wish to explore a healthy critique of the four-source hypothesis which has come to dominate this field of study.

Chapter One is especially valuable as Blenkinsopp provides an historical overview of Pentateuchal scholarship to date. This chapter brings the reader up to par and offers the author a starting point for his readable critique. In short, Blenkinsopp suggests that the hard lines of Pentateuchal source theory should be softened so that a multitude of influences can be discovered and appreciated. Perhaps the greatest insight of this author is the realization that no critical theory is perfect and that the insights of numerous theories can often prove useful.

Blenkinsopp's introductory reference on the Pentateuch is excellent for that purpose. It's basic, it gets to the point. Hardly any parts are dry. His analysis of the text focuses on what he calls the 'interpretive process' starting with how the text interprets itself in its stages of composition. (see pp. 141-3) In that respect it reads almost like a 'pocket' commentary on the text trying to stake it in its proper life-context, which is more welcoming than a trite analysis of the sources. He sees more unity in the Pentateuch than many other scholars, although he argues for the later dates of the primary sources. These address the exilic and postexilic situations. Here one can probably detect the influence of Van Seters, whose work Blenkinsopp discusses in chapter 2 continuing on into chapter 3. But Blenkinsopp makes many acute observations of his own throughout the book that are convincing. But there's not enough discussion of the prehistory of the Pentateuchal narratives. If the patriarchal sagas, for instance, had an original setting in preexilic times (see pp. 113-16) although their incorporation in the Pentateuch as a whole might address exilic or post exilic times (e.g. p. 102), one still wants to know more about the earlier period, if possible.

This book is not for newbies beginning to study the Pentateuch, although at the beginning Blenkinsopp seems he couldn't decide. At one point he translates a German quote [p. 6] but leaves untranslated a French quote. [p. 20] He also condescends an almost Sunday school summary of the Pentateuchal story (see pp. 31-3) written as if the reader is completely unfamiliar with it, but then he ascends into a discussion which lasts the remaining length of the book that no one needing such a summary would understand. For intermediate to advanced students.

This book is incredibly obtuse. It is only helpful if you have a significant backbround in Biblical scholarship and Old Testament criticism.