Customer Reviews

Writing on the Tablet of the Heart: Origins of Scripture and Literature

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David Carr gives an excellent presentation that helps Western readers understand the form of the original Hebrew text. His primary thesis is that the form of the text, without word dividers and markers, was needed to be well-known by the reader prior to the public reading of the text. His theory is that the purpose of the text was primarily a prompt to aid the reader remember and recite this already well-known text. This form meant that the reader could easily recognize large sections, rather than read individual words. The purpose of the recitation and memorisation of the writing was to ensure that the tradition was "written on the listeners' minds and hearts". He gives examples of writings of surrounding ancient cultures to reinforce his ideas regarding Israel's writings.