The Divine Symphony: The Bible's Many Voices (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "DIFFERENT SPIRITUAL CURRENTS AND DIFFERENT LITERARY works developed within Israel in the period between the founding of the Temple of Solomon and the return from..." (more)
Key Phrases: cultic rules, human kingship, evil elements, Priestly Torah, Holiness School, School of Hillel (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"He [Knohl] offers fascinating views of biblical stories...provocative... his ideas open new ways to look at the text." -- The Reporter, February 27, 2004

"Through judicious use of critical scholarship...[Knohl] explores and even celebrates diversity of opinion on core issues.... well worth reading." -- Religious Studies Review, October 2004

There is much to like about this short work.... provocative and worthy of consideration. -- Theological Studies, September 2005

Product Description

New insights on how the Torah took on its final form

In this fascinating book, Knohl shares his understanding of how the Torah was edited into its final form. He bridges the gap between ancient Israel (c.1400-586 B.C.E.) and Second Temple times (c, 536 B.C.E. to 70 C.E.) by showing the continuity between these eras and the gradual evolution of the biblical worldview.

Knohl’s interpretation of biblical composition challenges a popular trend in contemporary biblical scholarship: the idea that ancient Israel never existed as a historical reality, but was invented and "retrojected" back in time by later Israelite priests as part of their national myth. He interprets the textual evidence in the Torah itself, to expand on the notion that the Torah expresses a pluralistic view of God; that there is continuity between ancient Jewish texts and Rabbinic Judaism, and that the Dead Sea Scrolls reveal much about biblical theology.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Publication Society of America (November 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 082760761X
• ISBN-13: 978-0827607613
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #476,616 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Knohl carries the J,D,E,P hypothesis to a new height, August 26, 2007

By	D. Goodpasture "www.betzalelstudio.com" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Knohl gives a breakdown of the rocky road to monotheism and the many factions involved. Knohl separates and analyzes the different factions involved in authorship of the (Hebrew) Bible. The different factions J, D, E, P, and H had different linguistics and sometimes competing ideologies. Knohl maintains that harmony can be achieved by looking at the big picture, hence the divine symphony which can only function with all its members partaking and cooperating. This book appears to be scholarly and well-researched. It is also very short, easy to read (for those familiar with Bible basics), and I found it very enjoyable.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Drawing upon specific Bible texts, February 7, 2004

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Bible scholar Israel Knohl presents his opposing viewpoint to the fundamentalist perspective of the Bible as a monolithic document in The Divine Symphony: The Bible's Many Voices. Drawing upon specific Bible texts, literary works in Israel between the time of Solomon's Temple and the return from Babylonian exile, The Divine Symphony explores opposing views of humanity's place in the universe, the origin and meaning of evil and suffering, the role of free will and predestination, and a great deal more. A welcome contribution to philosophy and religious studies shelves, The Divine Symphony is an excellent and recommended addition to Judaic Studies reading lists and Biblical Studies reference collections.