The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary [Paperback]

John H. Sailhamer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 3, 1995

Most scholars studying the first five books of the Bible either attempt to dissect it into various pre-pentateuchal documents or, at the very least, analyze Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy as separate, self-contained documents. The Pentateuch As Narrative focuses on the narrative and literary continuity of the Pentateuch as a whole. It seeks to disclose how the original Jewish readers may have viewed this multivolume work of Moses. Its central thesis is that the Pentateuch was written from the perspective of one who had lived under the Law of the Covenant established at Mount Sinai and had seen its failure to produce genuine trust in the Lord God of Israel. In this context, the Pentateuch pointed the reader forward to the hope of the New Covenant, based on divine faithfulness. Throughout the commentary Dr. Sailhamer pays close attention to and interacts with a wide range of classical and contemporary literature on the Pentateuch, written by Jews, Catholics, and Protestants.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Most scholars studying the first five books of the Bible either attempt to dissect it into various pre-pentateuchal documents or, at the very least, analyze Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy as separate, self-contained documents. The Pentateuch As Narrative focuses on the narrative and literary continuity of the Pentateuch as a whole. It seeks to disclose how the original Jewish readers may have viewed this multivolume work of Moses. Its central thesis is that the Pentateuch was written from the perspective of one who had lived under the Law of the Covenant established at Mount Sinai and had seen its failure to produce genuine trust in the Lord God of Israel. In this context, the Pentateuch pointed the reader forward to the hope of the New Covenant, based on divine faithfulness. Throughout the commentary Dr. Sailhamer pays close attention to and interacts with a wide range of classical and contemporary literature on the Pentateuch, written by Jews, Catholics, and Protestants.

About the Author

John H. Sailhamer is professor of Old Testament at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Brea, California and was formerly senior professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.. His other works include An Introduction to Old Testament Theology and The NIIV Compact Bible Commentary.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (March 3, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310574218
• ISBN-13: 978-0310574217
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,622 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John H. Sailhamer is professor of Old Testament at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Brea, California and was formerly senior professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His other works include An Introduction to Old Testament Theology and The NIIV Compact Bible Commentary.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful spiritual analysis of the Pentatuech, February 26, 2005

By 

Thor D. Swanson (Sioux City, Iowa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary (Paperback)

If you are looking for a book which links the ancient Hebrew writings of the Pentateuch to the surrounding Mesopotamian and Egyptian cultures, this is not the book for you. If you are searching for a book which explains the Pentateuch from the standpoint of modern, critical Biblical OT Scholarship (JEDP et. al.), you will also not be satisfied. However, if you are looking for a work which explains how the various parts of the Pentateuch function as a part of a unifed, whole work, this book is incredibly helpful and insightful. Also, as a committed Christian, the work makes the strange world of the Pentatuech and the ancient Hebrews "come alive" for me as a believer. Each year, as I work my way through the books of the Pentateuch in my One Year Bible (January through March), I find this book the single most valuable one in helping me bring home insights from these Hebrew Scriptures into my spiritual life. I enjoyed Dr. Sailhamer as an instructor of the Genesis course 13 years ago during the Winter Quarter at Trinity Ev. Divinity School in Illinois. He continues to teach me each Winter at my house as I live out my life as a Christian minister, Family Practice physician, and HIV specialist.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An informed evangelical perspective on the Pentateuch, January 4, 2005

By 

Samuel M Smith (Fort Worth, TX United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary (Paperback)

My Old Testament prof assigned this book my first semester of seminary and I blew through it so I could check off the reading assignment on the final.

Recently, I began reading through the Pentateuch again and was bewildered as always. Then I remembered to begin looking stuff up in Sailhamer's book. It's amazing how much more I have learned when reading it for fun and not for an assignment.

The introduction is a bit tedious, but worthwhile. The real goldmine for us, though, is in his explanation of those pesky and ever-present laws which make no sense to the average 21st century reader. This book is worth the price of admission just for the explanation of the Levitical laws.

I have a friend who will be studying with Sailhamer at Southeastern Seminary and I envy him a little now because of this book. If you are serious about understanding the OT, this book is an absolute must.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eureka!, January 3, 2006

By 

Jack Curtin (Raleigh, NC USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary (Paperback)

This book is wonderful! Dr. Sailhamer really gets to the heart of what's important about the Torah - what the author is trying to tell us! His study focuses on how/why the author put the Torah (one continuous "book") together as he did and what the reader is supposed to get from it.

He shows how God's addition of laws over time follows instances of disobedience (kinda like the way we add rules for our kids when they act up and remove rules as they show they can handle more responsibility). He shows how the narrative (while simultaneously about events that really happened) foreshadow the future. He explains how the poetry is divine commentary on the narratives. Etc. Dr. Sailhamer brings the Torah to life!

FYI. A Messianic Jewish friend of mine moved from Israel to Raleigh, NC just so he could study under (renowned Christian Hebrew scholar) Dr. Sailhamer at Southeastern Seminary. He's been thrilled with what he's learned. Dr. Sailhamer is brilliant, but knows how to teach.