Deuteronomy

This inaugural volume in the series, Themes and Issues in Biblical Studies, includes 19 articles that, collectively, provide readers with informed presentations of a range of current debates concerning Deuteronomy as well as key themes and their implications. A number of long-standing hypotheses are re-examined, with alternative options proposed.

This inaugural volume in the series, Themes and Issues in Biblical Studies, includes 19 articles that, collectively, provide readers with informed presentations of a range of current debates concerning Deuteronomy as well as key themes and their implications. A number of long-standing hypotheses are re-examined, with alternative options proposed. E-publication of individual chapters has preceded the printing of the finalized collection in hardback and paperback versions. Issues that have been included are: the proposed influence of Esarhaddon’s Succession ade on Deuteronomy 13 and 28; berit as treaty, covenant, or instructions; Deuteronomy in dialogue with ancient Near Eastern law collections; reconceived Yahwism; Torah as a tool of propaganda and hegemony adapted from Persian data; characteristics of the Samaritan version of Deuteronomy; the role of Deuteronomy in the Pentateuch; where and when Deuteronomy might have been written, and the influence of Deuteronomy on the final shape of the psalter. Themes that have been examined include: geographical dimensions of the book; parenting; economic dimensions of the book; ethnicity and power; pedagogy; Moses as master scribe; pragmatism, utopia and dystopia in the book; ethics; and the memory of Cisjordan as a landscape of fortified cities.

Preface vii 1. Saying Goodbye to the Theory of the Influence of Esarhaddon’s Succession Adê on Deuteronomy 13 and 28 1 Diana V. Edelman 2. The Role of the Oath-Bound Agreement (Berît) in the Book of Deuteronomy 35
Diana V. Edelman 3. Deuteronomy in Dialogue with Ancient Near Eastern Law Collections 73 Megan B. Turton
4. Geographical Dimensions of the Book of Deuteronomy 95 Diana V. Edelman 5. Ethnic Israel and Power in Deuteronomy 134 Kåre Berge 6. Basic Tools to Figure Out the Economy of Deuteronomy 12–26 168 Philippe Guillaume 7. Yhwh (Ha)’Elohim and a Reconceived Yahwism 209 Diana V. Edelman 8. Master-Scribe and  Forefather of a Scribal Guild : Moses in Deuteronomy 247 Benedetta Rossi 9. Between Self-Legitimation and Propaganda : Torah in Deuteronomy 278 Benedetta Rossi 10. Deuteronomy’s Fearsome “Pedagogy” 305 Kåre Berge 11. Pragmatic, Utopian and Dystopian Deuteronomy 320 Philippe Guillaume 12. Deuteronomic Parenting 335 Philippe Guillaume 13. Deuteronomy as Utopia : New Possibilities for Reading an Old Friend/Foe 354
Madhavi Nevader 14. The Role of Deuteronomy in the Pentateuch 372 Richard D. Nelson 15. Deuteronomy: The Samaritan Version 389 Sidnie White Crawford 16. Where and When Might Deuteronomy Have Been Written? 403
Diana V. Edelman 17. Deuteronomy’s Ethics 434 Georg Braulik 18. Deuteronomy’s Influence on the Formation of the Psalter 476 Bernard Gosse 19. Landscape in Deuteronomy: What Were the Literati Imagining and Why? 496
Ehud Ben Zvi Author Index 515 Biblical Index 522 Subject Index 533

• Edited by Diana V. Edelman
• Edited by Philippe Guillaume