Research Catalog

The original Torah : the political intent of the Bible's writers

Title
The original Torah : the political intent of the Bible's writers / S. David Sperling.
Author
Sperling, S. David.
Publication
New York : New York University Press, ©1998.

Items in the Library & Off-site

Filter by

1 Item

StatusFormatAccessCall NumberItem Location
Request for On-site UseRequest Scan
How do I pick up this item and when will it be ready?
TextUse in library BS1171.2 .S65 1998Off-site

Details

Description
xiv, 185 pages; 24 cm.
Summary
"In The Original Torah, S. David Sperling argues that, while there is no archeological evidence to support much of the activity chronicled in the Torah, a historical reality exists there if we know how to seek it. By noting the use of foreign words or mentions of technological innovations scholars can often pinpoint the date and place in which a text was written. Sperling examines the stories of the Torah against their historical and geographic backgrounds and arrives at a new conclusion: the tales of the Torah were originally composed as allegories whose purpose was distinctly and intentionally political. The book illustrates how the authors of the Pentateuch advanced their political and religious agenda by attributing deeds of historical figures like Jeroboam and David to ancient allegorical characters like Abraham and Jacob. If "Abraham" had made peace with Philistines, for example, then David could rely on a precedent to do likewise. The Original Torah provides a new interpretive key to the foundational document of both Judaism and Christianity"--Publisher description.
Series Statement
Reappraisals in Jewish social and intellectual history
Uniform Title
Reappraisals in Jewish social and intellectual history
Subject
  • Bible. > Criticism, interpretation, etc
  • Bible
  • Bibel
  • Bible > History of Biblical events
  • Politics in the Bible
  • 11.41 study and interpretation of the Old Testament
  • Politics in the Bible
  • Politik
  • Tora
  • Politieke aspecten
Genre/Form
Criticism, interpretation, etc.
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references (p. 165-177) and index.
Contents
It says in the Torah -- History and allegory -- The allegory of servitude in Egypt and the Exodus -- Yahweh's berît (covenant) : which came first--sex or politics? -- Abraham -- Jacob, Jeroboam, and Joseph -- Aaron -- Moses.
ISBN
  • 0814780946
  • 9780814780947
LCCN
97045378
OCLC
  • ocm38042899
  • 38042899
  • SCSB-363806
Owning Institutions
Princeton University Library