Genesis as Torah : reading narrative as legal instruction / Brian Neil Peterson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Peterson, Brian Neil, 1966- author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. Genesis.

Law (Theology)--Biblical teaching.

Law (Theology).

Bible. Genesis--Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bible.

Local Subjects:

Bible. Genesis--Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Genre:

Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Physical Description:

xvi, 179 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Eugene, Oregon : Cascade Books, [2018]

Summary:

"Should Genesis rightly be identified as law--that is, as torah or legal instruction for Israel? Peterson argues in the affirmative, concluding that Genesis serves a greater function than merely offering a prehistory or backstory for the people of Israel. As the introductory book to the Torah, Genesis must first and foremost be read as legal instruction for Israel. And how exactly is that instruction presented? Peterson posits that many of the Genesis accounts serve as case law. The Genesis narratives depict what a number of key laws in the pentateuchal law codes look like in practice. When Genesis is read through this lens, the rhetorical strategy of the biblical author(s) becomes clear and the purpose for including specific narratives takes on new meaning"--back cover.

Contents:

1 An Introduction to Reading Genesis as Torah 1

2 Genesis 1-2

Creation as Foundational to God's Torah 18

3 Genesis 3-4

The Analogical Role of the Fall of Humanity 41

4 Genesis 5-11

The Flood and Babel: How to Avoid the Judgment of God 61

5 Genesis 12-25

Abraham as an Example of Righteous Behavior 76

6 Genesis 26-36

"Israel" as an Example for Israel 100

7 Genesis 37-50

The Life of Joseph: How to Live in Exile 121

8 Conclusions 140.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 145-154) and indexes.

ISBN:

9781532635830

1532635834

9781532635854

1532635850

OCLC:

1011514877

Publisher Number:

99977891639