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The Meaning of the Pentateuch

Revelation, Composition and Interpretation

By John H. Sailhamer

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| Others | 9780830838677

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Book Description

the grammatical (and compositional) link between Exodus 24:1 and Exodus 19:21.
41 That link ties the covenant in Exodus 24 (Ex 24:1-2) not to Exodus 19:3-8,
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The book could be half the size. The author is very redundant is his process for building an argument (multiple books patched together). There are also some points that seem to reach too far for their implications. However, the book is an important read for those wishing to have a firm grasp of the ... (continue)

The book could be half the size. The author is very redundant is his process for building an argument (multiple books patched together). There are also some points that seem to reach too far for their implications. However, the book is an important read for those wishing to have a firm grasp of the meaning of the Pentateuch.
Aside from actual presentation of meaning, there are many helpful frameworks and corrective ideas for how we approach finding meaning in scripture. We tend to look at the history behind the text to find meaning in what God did. Sailhamer reminds us that the meaning is in the author's words regarding history. The author did not just set out to tell what God did, but had a specific purpose in the telling of those events. The narratives of the Pentateuch are stitched together to point us to the author's meaning, namely the hope of a eschatological king who would redeem from the curse. These themes are best observed in the major and minor poems of the Pentateuch that serve to summarize the author's point.
The Pentateuch is not the book of the law that taught Israel how to observe the temple practices and keep the law, It is a separate work with its own purpose. The law is included, broken by narrative accounts, to assist the author in building the theme of the inability of the people to keep the law covenant and the need for a future hope.
The prophets writings are helpful in interpreting their inspired understanding of the Pentateuch. It is clear much of their writing builds and expands on themes already introduced by Moses.

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Brandon Current said on Sep 1, 2011 | Add your feedback