The End of the Book of Numbers : On Pentateuchal Models and Compositional Issues / Jordan Davis.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Davis, Jordan, author.

Series:

Archaeology and Bible

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Bible. Numbers--Criticism, interpretation, etc.

Bible.

Religion.

Physical Description:

1 Online-Ressource (XIV, 311 Seiten)

Place of Publication:

Mohr Siebeck 2023

[s.l.] : Mohr Siebeck GmbH & Co. KG, 2023.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

It has become increasingly clear that Numbers is the litmus test for new ideas relating to the formation of the Pentateuch. At the same time the profusion of ideas has only resulted in a corresponding lack of agreement between scholars. In the present study, Jordan Davis grants significant attention to the geographical references found at the end of the book of Numbers, combining archaeological, historical and literary critical insights, in the attempt to arrive at more "verifiable" results. With a detailed view at the Transjordan conquest traditions (Num 21:21-35; 32; Deut 2:24-3:20*) and the twin legal narratives relating to Zelophehad's daughters (Num 27; 36), the author argues for the historical catalysts underlying these traditions and then points to the ideological motivation behind their redactional expansion.

Contents:

ch. 1 Introduction

ch. 2 Setting the Stage: Background for Understanding the Book of Numbers

2.1. Pentateuchal Models and the Book of Numbers

2.1.1. The Documentary Hypothesis

2.1.1.1. A Brief History of the Source Model

2.1.1.2. The Problem of Deuteronomy

2.1.1.3. The Documentary Hypothesis and the Book of Numbers

2.1.2. The Pentateuchal Crisis and the Introduction of New Models

2.1.2.1. Farewell to the Yahwist

2.1.2.2. The End of Pg and the Holiness Code

2.1.2.3. The Bridge-Book Hypothesis

2.1.2.4. Numbers as Part of a Pre-Priestly Narrative Composition

2.1.2.5. Summary of Pentateuchal Models

2.2. Toward Certainty: Increasing the Size of the Data Pool

2.2.1. Empirical Evidence Regarding the Conflation of Sources

2.2.2. Extra-biblical Evidence and Historical Geography

2.2.3. The Samaritan Influence and the Formation of the Pentateuch

2.3. In Favour of an Exodus-Conquest Narrative

2.3.1. Jeroboam II and the Moses Story

2.3.2. Josiah and Early Joshua

2.4. The Structure of Numbers

ch. 3 The Occupation of Transjordan

3.1. Old Layers and Historical Memories?

3.1.1. Reflecting on the Geography of Numbers 32:1

3.1.1.1. Literary Geography

3.1.1.2. Geographical Analysis

3.1.1.3. Historical Analysis

3.1.1.4. In Support of the Pre-Sihon Base Layer of Numbers 32

3.1.2. More Pre-Sihon Traditions

3.1.3. Tracing the Base Layer of Numbers 32

3.1.4. Reflections on the Non-Priestly Layer

3.2. The Sihon Tradition

3.2.1. Deuteronomy 2:24

3:18* and the Problem of Settlement in the Transjordan

3.2.2. Numbers 21:21

35*

3.2.3. Heshbon, Sihon's City

3.2.4. Sihon the Amorite?

3.3. Post-Sihon, Non-Priestly Updates in Numbers 32

3.3.1. Numbers 32:34

38

3.3.2. Numbers 32:39

42* and the Half-Tribe of Manasseh

3.3.3. Summary of the Non-Priestly, Post-Sihon Changes

3.4. Transjordan and the Priestly Material

3.4.1. Canaan and the Priestly Ideology of Land

3.4.2. The Priestly Elements in Numbers 32

3.4.3. Reflections on the Priestly Layer

3.5. Conquest of the Amorites

3.5.1. Deuteronomy Re-Imagines the Promised Land

3.5.2. Updating the Sihon Narrative in Numbers 21

3.5.3. Further Deuteronomistic Influences in Numbers 32

3.6. Joining Priestly and Deuteronomistic Texts

3.6.1. Completing the Sihon Narrative

3.6.2. Completing Numbers 32

3.6.2.1. Leadership Harmonisation

3.6.2.2. "City" Harmonisation

3.6.2.3. Ideological Harmonisation

3.6.2.4. Continuity Harmonisation

3.7. Conclusion

ch. 4 Female Inheritance

4.1. The Legal Conundrum

4.2. The Universal Legislation for Heiresses: Num 27:8

11a

4.2.1. Property, Marriage and Inheritance in Ancient Israel

4.2.2. Supplement or Replacement? Numbers 27:8

11a and Deuteronomy 25:5

10

4.2.3. Summary

4.3. The Specific Case of Zelophehad's Daughters: Num 27:1

7a

4.4. Historical Connection to Zelophehad's Daughters?

4.4.1. The Wedge-shape Decorated Bowl

4.4.2. The Neo-Assyrian Two-way Deportation

4.4.3. On Pots and People

4.4.4. Other Biblical Support

4.4.4.1. Joshua 17:1

12

4.4.4.2. 1 Kings 4:7

19

4.4.5. Summary

4.5. Numbers 36:1

12 in Detail

4.6. Conclusion

ch. 5 Conclusion

5.1. Verifiable* Exegetical Tools

5.1.1. "Empirical" Studies on Conflation

5.1.2. Extra-biblical Evidence

5.1.3. Northern Traditions

5.2. Compositional Findings

5.2.1. Numbers 32

5.3.2. Zelophehad's Daughters

5.3. In Models We Trust

5.4. Clear Avenues for Further Research

Appendix: Comparison of Recent Models vs the Documentary Hypothesis.

Notes:

CC BY-NC-ND

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9783161618574

3161618572

Access Restriction:

Open Access Unrestricted online access