Immigrants and Innovative Law

Deuteronomy's Theological and Social Vision for the ger

by Mark Awabdy

Book cover: Immigrants and Innovative Law

Extent: 299 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies, Religious Studies

Series: Forschungen zum Alten Testament 2.Reihe

Series volume number: 67

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(July 2014)

ISBN: 9783161528354

6.06 x 9.06 inches

Price: $130.00

In stock

Mark A. Awabdy provides a nuanced and extensive understanding of the noun ?? (g?r, engl. immigrant) in the book of Deuteronomy (D). He argues that a precise reconstruction of the historical referents of Ds g?r is impossible and has led scholars to misread or overlook literary, theological, and sociological determinants. By analyzing Ds g?r texts and contexts, evidence emerges for the non-Israelite and non-Judahite origins of Ds g?r; the distinction between the g?r in Ds prologue-epilogue and legal core; and the different meanings and origins of Ds ” g?r -in-Egypt” and ” ebed -in-Egypt” formulae. Awabdy further contends that Ds revision of Exodus Decalogue and Covenant Code and independence from H reveal Ds tendencies to accommodate the g?r and interface the g?r with YHWHs redemption of Israel. He concludes by defining how D integrates the g?r into the community of YHWHs people.


Mark A. Awabdy provides a nuanced and extensive understanding of the noun gr (ger, engl. immigrant) in the book of Deuteronomy (D). He argues that a precise reconstruction of the historical referents of D’s ger is impossible and has led scholars to misread or overlook literary, theological, and sociological determinants. By analyzing D’s ger texts and contexts, evidence emerges for: the non-Israelite and non-Judahite origins of D’s ger; the distinction between the ger in D’s prologue-epilogue and legal core; and the different meanings and origins of D’s ” ger-in-Egypt” and ” ‘ebed-in-Egypt” formulae. Awabdy further contends that D’s revision of Exodus’ Decalogue and Covenant Code and independence from H reveal D’s tendencies to accommodate the ger and interface the ger with YHWH’s redemption of Israel. He concludes by defining how D integrates the ger into the community of YHWH’s people.

  • By (author) Mark A Awabdy