Topic 2 The Pentateuch

1. Topic 2 The Pentateuch Terminology: • “Pentateuch” = “five books” • Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy • “Torah” = “law” Content: Pre-history of Israel i. Primeval history (Gen. 1-11) - Creation and fall of world ii. Patriarchal history (Gen 12-50) - Promise to be God’s nation iii. The Exodus (Exodus-Deut.) - Deliverance and journey to promised land Origin of Pentateuch - two theories: • Mosaic authorship - Moses wrote Pentateuch. • Documentary hypothesis • Evidence of multiple authors: varied styles; multiple accounts of same story (e.g., Creation told twice); contradictions; etc. • Four originally separate source documents woven together: • J (950 BC) - Yahwistic source (uses “Yahweh”=God’s personal name) • E (800 BC) - Elohistic source (uses “Elohim” = generic word for God) • D (650 BC) - Deuteronomic source (mostly in Deuteronomy) • P (550 BC) - Priestly source (priestly perspective)

2. I. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11) • Creation of the world (Gen. 1-2) • Two accounts of Creation • P-account (1:1-2:4a) – majestic, poetic account • Elohim – generic Hebrew word for “God” • Begins with dark, watery chaos • Orderly – seven days (light-humans) • Humans made “in image of God” • Creation is pronounced “good” • Rested on 7th day – “Sabbath” rooted in structure of creation • J-account (2:4b-25) – down-to-earth account • Yahweh (“LORD” in all-caps indicates Hebrew text has “Yahweh”) – personal name of Israel’s god (other sources defer use of “Yahweh” until Exodus 3) • Different imagery: begins with dry, barren desert • Different order: Man (“Adam” = “man/mankind”) – made first • Garden of Eden (“delight”) – vegetation • Animals – naming of animals symbolizes dominion over them • Woman (“Eve” = “life”) – last but not least • Tree of Life – symbolizes potential for immortality • Tree of Knowledge – symbolizes testing of obedience

3. I. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11) • Literal or theological? • Literal – historical, scientific accurate account of origins • Then what do we do with differences between accounts? • What do we do with differences from scientific findings? • Theological – point is in the theological message • Faith affirmation: Israel’s God created all that is. • Mankind has special place in creation and in relationship with Creator. • Compatible with scientific theories: God created world; evolution is how he did it! • Genesis vs. Enuma Elish (Babylonian account) • Similarities: both bringorder out of chaos; have similar sequence of creation; presuppose pre-scientific “three-storied universe.” • Differences: • Nature of God – polytheism vs. monotheism. • Nature of humanity – lowly afterthought vs. crowning glory. • Distinctive of Genesis is not scientific description but theological perspective. 4. Conclusion: read Genesis not for scientific explanation but for theological message.

4. Three-Storied Universe

5. I. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11) • The Fall (Gen. 3) – Rebellion in the Garden • Sin • Ate forbidden fruit (not called apple) • Sin is rebellion against God. • Judgment • Serpent – crawl on belly • Woman – increased pain in childbirth • Man – unrewarded labor • Expulsion from Garden – lost immortality; alienated from God. • Grace (God’s continuing care in spite of sin) • Made clothing • Allowed to bear children

6. I. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11)

7. II. Patriarchal History (Gen. 12-50) Map • Abraham (Gen. 12-25) • Founding “father” of Israel(“Abraham” = “father of many”) • Abraham’s “call and promise” (Gen. 12:1-3) • Demand: Go to a new land which God will show him. • Promise: Great nation (Israel). • Descendants – many heirs – Israel as “chosen people.” • Land – “Promised Land.” • Israel to be instrument of blessing for all nations. • Migration from Mesopotamia (Ur/Haran) to Canaan • Promised Land is known as Canaan or Palestine. • Strategically located between Egypt and Mesopotamia. • Theme of barrenness of Sarah (and other patriarchal wives) and struggle to trust God’s promise. • Abraham is revered by all three major monotheistic religions: Judaism, Christianity, Islam.

8. II. Patriarchal History (Gen. 12-50) • Isaac (Gen. 21-26) • Born in old age of Abraham and Sarah – evidence that promise will be fulfilled. • (Near) “sacrifice”/binding of Isaac (Gen. 22) – moving/ disturbing story oftesting of Abraham’s faith; ram is substituted. • Jacob (Gen.27-35) • Trickster/deceiver – cheated older twin brother Esau out of birthright • Refuge in Mesopotamia with uncle Laban; deceived into marrying Leah before Rachel; running feud with Laban • Return to Canaan; strange nocturnal wrestling match; name changed to “Israel” (= “one who contends with God”) • Twelve sons (Gen. 35:23-26) – ancestors of 12 tribes of Israel • Joseph story (Gen. 37-50) • Sold into slavery by older, jealous brothers • Rises to power in Egypt by interpreting the pharaoh’s dreams. • Famine brings patriarchal family to settle in delta of Egypt. • Genesis closes in Egypt – background of Exodus.

9. III. The Exodus (Exodus-Deut.) – c. 1290 BC “Exodus” = “the going out” – deliverance from slavery in Egypt led by Moses • Deliverance from Egypt • Oppression in Egypt (Ex. 1) – new pharaoh enslaves Israelites • Preparation of Moses (Ex. 2-4) • Hidden by Hebrew parents – adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter. • Kills Egyptian slave master – flees to Midian. • Burning bush experience – God reveals his name “Yahweh;” commissions Moses to rescue Hebrew slaves. • Confronting the Pharaoh (Ex. 5-12) • “Let my people go.” Pharaoh refuses, increases Hebrews’ burdens. • Ten Plagues – Yahweh vs. gods of Egypt; 10th plague – death. • Preparations: marked doors with lamb’s blood; special meal with lamb, unleavened bread, etc.; ate in haste, shoes on, staff in hand. • Deliverance at the Sea (Ex. 12-15) • Was it the Red Sea (Greek text) or Reed Sea (Hebrew text)? • Who made the wind blow? • Significance of the Exodus • Central event in history of Israel; made Israel into a nation, people of God; reveals Yahweh as a caring, redeeming God. • Passover – annual Jewish celebration of Exodus; reenacts night of 10th plague.

10. III. The Exodus (Exodus-Deut.) – c. 1290 BC Map • Covenant at Mt. Sinai • Covenant • “An agreement binding two parties together under mutual obligation.” • Many types. • Based on God’s deliverance of Israel (Ex. 19:4-6). • Ten Commandments • Stipulations (terms) of the covenant. • Known as “Decalogue” (“ten words”). • Found in Exodus 20 and Deut. 5. • “Absolute” form (“Thou shalt/not…”)

11. Vertical Dimension I. Worship no other gods (henotheism). No idols (images of God). No misuse of God’s name. Keep the Sabbath (no work on seventh day). Horizontal Dimension Honor the parents. No murder/killing (unauthorized taking of human life). No adultery (violation of another man’s wife). No stealing. No false witness (lying in court). No coveting (unrestrained desire). The Ten CommandmentsPreamble (Ex. 20:2): God’s deliverance (exodus) puts Israel under obligation.

12. III. The Exodus (Exodus-Deut.) – c. 1290 BC • Covenant at Mt. Sinai (cont.) • Additional law codes • Gathered in Exodus-Deut. • Detailed civil, criminal, and religious ordinances. • “Covenant code” (Ex. 21-23) – conditional form (“if…then”). • Instructions for Tabernacle (Ex. 25-30; 35-40) – portable tent sanctuary. • Leviticus – priestly instructions on sacrifices, holy days, ritual purity, etc. • Deuteronomy (“second law”) – exhortation to keep commandments in form of speeches of Moses.

13. The Tabernacle Laver Candelabra Outer Court IncenseAltar Holy Place Ark of Covenant Bread of the Presence Holy of Holies Altar

14. III. The Exodus (Exodus-Deut.) – c. 1290 BC • Wilderness wanderings (most of Numbers) • Aborted attempt to enter Canaan (Num. 13-14) • 12 spies report “giants” in the land. • People lack faith to enter. • Forty years “wandering in wilderness” • Hardships; rebellion; God’s provision • Manna; water from rock; quail (similar stories before getting to Sinai) • Moses’ farewell (Deuteronomy) • People are camped in Transjordan, ready to cross. • Moses exhorts Israel to keep covenant with God. • Moses sees Canaan from mountain top, then dies and is buried in Transjordan (Deut. 34). • Leadership passes to Joshua. Map