THE PENTATEUCH: WHAT DOES IT SAY Part 3

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THE PENTATEUCHWHAT DOES IT SAY?Part 3
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LITERARY PERSPECTIVE
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INTERNAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Composite Book of the Law (Joshua 18)
• Not artificial, like 10001 Arabian Nights

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COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

• Cosmologies
• Different view of God the world than Bible
• Different view of the world than modern day
• The Bible differs from its contemporary views
• One God, no beginning, creates world
• Mesopotamia Creation out of conflict
• The Bible is similar to its contemporary views
• Order out of chaos ongoing act of creation
  (function of creation)
• Not more scientific focus on Gods role and
  character

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COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

• Genealogies
• Serve a theological role, not just records
• Establish legitimacy
• Mesopotamian literature Gods wish to reduce the
  population

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COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

• Flood Stories
• Babylonian traditions Gods send a flood to kill
  the population Atrahasis builds large boat and
  is saved.
• Gilgamesh Epic birds sent out and sacrifice
  offered (after flood)
• Differences with Biblical account
• Gods are petty and selfish drastic decision
  Bible saddened, not annoyed
• Bible Divine punishment merciful deliverance

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COMPARATIVE LITERATURE

• Law Collections
• Hammurabi, etc.Sacrifice common murder
  prohibited
• Law created harmony between people and Cosmos
  kings entrusted with wise rule gods were
  guardians of Cosmic law
• Bible God originates laws of Israel to
  illustrate Holiness of God keeps relationship
  with God
• Bible reveals character of God within
  relationship

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PRIESTLY REGULATIONS

• Priestly Regulations
• Hittite Instructions for the Temple Officials
• Mesopotamia magic and divination
• Bible purity and impurity tied to God

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PRIESTLY REGULATIONS

• Covenant/Treaty Format
• Over 50 treaties recorded
• Hittite (2nd millenium) Assyrian (1st
  millenium)
• Begin with preamble, showing the treaty maker
• Next historical prologue
• Next Stipulations
• Last Blessings Curses