Rethinking the Composition of the Pentateuch

A series of expert and yet accessible essays on how the Pentateuch came to be, written by leading scholars worldwide.

The Pentateuch constitutes the foundational text for Judaism and by extension for Christianity, hence its Hebrew name, Torah, which means “teaching.” How, when, and why did this text come to be? How did the remarkable authors in ancient Israel compose, compile, and create such a singular achievement as the five books from Genesis through Deuteronomy, with its masterful stories, moral and ethical legal system, and detailed information about the sacrifices?

The present volume paves new ground, with over forty essays by leading scholars worldwide (Jewish and Christian; American, European, and Israeli), as it provides expert and yet accessible studies covering all aspects of Pentateuchal study. Through these studies, the authors argue collectively that the Torah is to be seen (contrary to the view of many scholars) as ancient Israel’s earliest literature, dating to the very emergence of Israel as a people.

Key features:

Up-to-date, well written and organizedDirected to scholars and students alikePerfect for seminary and graduate school coursesClear, concise, and objective argumentsConclusions based on the evidence, not on preconceived notions (such as the late dating of the Torah)Includes linguistic argumentation, which serves as the most objective means for dating any text in any linguistic tradition

The book seeks to return the role of the Pentateuch to its honored position as the foundation of Judaism and by extension Christianity, contrary to what so many biblical scholars have argued over the past several decades.