Monotheism and Institutions in the Book of Chronicles

Temple, Priesthood, and Kingship in Post-Exilic Perspective. Studies of the Sofja Kovalevskaja Research Group on Early Jewish Monotheism. Vol. I

by Matthew Lynch

Book cover: Monotheism and Institutions in the Book of Chronicles

Extent: 307 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Biblical Studies

Series: Forschungen zum Alten Testament 2.Reihe

Series volume number: 64

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(March 2014)

ISBN: 9783161521119

6.06 x 9.06 inches

Price: $130.00

Out of stock

Matthew Lynch examines ways that the one God became known and experienced through institutions according to the book of Chronicles. Chronicles recasts Israel’s earlier histories from the vantage point of vigorous commitments to the temple and its supporting institutions (the priesthood and royal house), and draws out the numerous ways that those institutions mediate divine power and inspire national unity. By understanding and participating in the reestablishment of these institutions, Chronicles suggests that post-exilic Judeans could reconnect to the powerful God of the past despite the appallingly impoverished state of post-exilic life.


Matthew Lynch examines ways that the one God became known and experienced through institutions according to the book of Chronicles. Chronicles recasts Israel’s earlier histories from the vantage point of vigorous commitments to the temple and its supporting institutions (the priesthood and royal house), and draws out the numerous ways that those institutions mediate divine power and inspire national unity. By understanding and participating in the reestablishment of these institutions, Chronicles suggests that post-exilic Judeans could reconnect to the powerful God of the past despite the appallingly impoverished state of post-exilic life. However, Chronicles contends that God was not beholden by those participating in the temple system. As such, it constitutes a via media between two regnant perspectives on the relationship between biblical monotheism and particularism.

  • By (author) Matthew Lynch

"...refreshingly careful and creative and in many ways a model for scholarship. As such, it warrants a warm and thoughtful reception from those interested in Chronicles and, more broadly, Israelite religion." --Michael B. Hundley, Review of Biblical Literature, 7.9.2015