Retelling The Law: Genesis, Exodus-numbers, And Samuel-kings As Sequential Hypertextual Reworkings Of Deuteronomy (european Studies In Theology, Philosophy And History Of Religions)

Using the method of critical intertextual research, this book demonstrates that Deuteronomy (written c. 500 BC) is an Israelite sequential hypertextual reworking of Ezekiel, that Genesis and Exodus-Numbers (written c. 400 BC) are Israelite sequential hypertextual reworkings of Deuteronomy, and that Samuel-Kings (written c. 300 BC) is a Judaean sequential hypertextual reworking of Deuteronomy. Consequently, the book disproves the theories of the existence of the so-called sources or traditions of the Pentateuch. The recognition of the fact that the Pentateuch is an Israelite and not a Judaean work may have great consequences for the dialogue between the monotheistic civilizations in our world and for peace initiatives in the Holy Land. Acknowledgments Contents Introduction Chapter 1: Deuteronomy as an Israelite sequential hypertextual reworking of Ezekiel 1.1 Yahweh’s words to the one ‘born’ (Deut 1:1-5; cf. Ezek 1-3) 1.2 Israel’s ‘original sin’ and the forty-year-long exile of the sinful Israelites in the wilderness (Deut 1:6-2:1; cf. Ezek 4-24) 1.3 Israel’s return to Canaan, and its being more numerous and more powerful than its neighbours (Deut 2:2-23; cf. Ezek 25-36) 1.4 New, innocent generation of one, powerful, militant Israel (Deut 2:24-3:22; cf. Ezek 37-39) 1.5 Vision of Canaan, its temple, and its theocratic laws (Deut 3:23-32:52; cf. Ezek 40:1-47:12) 1.6 Ideal Israel consisting of twelve tribes (Deut 33-34; cf. Ezek 47:13-48:35) 1.7 Conclusion Chapter 2: Genesis as an Israelite sequential hypertextual reworking of Deuteronomy 2.1 Initial entry to the land which was regarded by God as good, and not being alone (Gen 1-2; cf. Deut 1:1-25) 2.2 The original sin of wanting to ‘know good and evil’ and the punishment of expulsion from the paradisiacal land (Gen 3; cf. Deut 1:26-2:1) 2.3 The weaker brother and mighty predecessors (Gen 4; cf. Deut 2:2-12) 2.4 New, righteous humanity taking the place of the completely destroyed, sinful humans (Gen 5:1-8:19; cf. Deut 2:13-3:11) 2.5 Covenant with the ancestors, division of the earth, and the punishment of scattering for making an idolatrous object (Gen 8:20-11:32; cf. Deut 3:12-5:33) 2.6 Yahweh leading the believer to the Promised Land (Gen 12:1-8; cf. Deut 6:1-19) 2.7 Being in a miraculous way freed from Pharaoh’s rule in Egypt (Gen 12:9-20; cf. Deut 6:20-25) 2.8 Fighting a just war and establishing peace with the Gentiles in Canaan (Gen 13-15; cf. Deut 7) 2.9 Yahweh testing his believers and caring for them in the wilderness (Gen 16; cf. Deut 8) 2.10 Yahweh’s theophany and the covenant of circumcision (Gen 17; cf. Deut 9-10) 2.11 Israel’s intercession for Gentile sinners, God’s providence in the wilderness, and Israel’s possession and prosperity in the Promised Land (Gen 18-21; cf. Deut 11:1-25) 2.12 The mountain of sacrificial worship and of testing the Israelites’ love for Yahweh (Gen 22:1-19; cf. Deut 11:26-13:19) 2.13 Being a holy people, burial outside Canaan proper, Yahweh’s gift of a new generation, and observing dietary taboos (Gen 22:20-28:9; cf. Deut 14:1-21) 2.14 Meeting God in the place of giving a tithe (Gen 28:10-22; cf. Deut 14:22-29) 2.15 Remission of debts in the seventh year, resulting in freedom from slavery and a departure gift of flocks (Gen 29:1-31:42; cf. Deut 15) 2.16 Settling a legal dispute in a priestly realm (Gen 31:43-54; cf. Deut 16-19) 2.17 The aid of Yahweh and the name of Israel in an encounter with Israel’s enemy (Gen 32:1-33:17; cf. Deut 20:1-9) 2.18 Dealing with a Canaanite city in the aftermath of a rape of a virgin in the open field (Gen 33:18-34:31; cf. Deut 20:10-22:29) 2.19 Fulfilling vows, taking the wife of one’s father, and accepting the Edomites (Gen 35-36; cf. Deut 23:1-24) 2.20 Not returning home after being hated there and being sent away from there, and selling an Israelite into slavery (Gen 37; cf. Deut 23:25-24:22) 2.21 Being publicly but not excessively ashamed for not fulfilling levirate obligations (Gen 38; cf. Deut 25:1-10) 2.22 Coming to Egypt alone, bringing first fruits and tithes, blessing and cursing, and being set above the Gentiles (Gen 39:1-41:46; cf. Deut 25:11-28:7) 2.23 Yahweh blessing his believers, which results in their having full storehouses, being fruitful, and lending to many nations (Gen 41:47-57; cf. Deut 28:8-14) 2.24 The unfaithful Israelites’ cursed coming in and going out (Gen 42; cf. Deut 28:15-22) 2.25 Being blind at noon and oppressed, longing to see the exiled sons, and being brought to the foreign land of Egypt (Gen 43:1-47:12; cf. Deut 28:23-42) 2.26 Plague of a very severe famine in the land of Egypt, a residing alien rising to power, being removed from the land, and becoming slaves (Gen 47:13-26; cf. Deut 28:43-29:28) 2.27 Multiplication and long life in the land of God’s providence, and a future return to Canaan (Gen 47:27-31; cf. Deut 30:1-31:2) 2.28 Israel’s succession in the particularly chosen tribe of Ephraim (Gen 48; cf. Deut 31:2-32:52) 2.29 Blessings for the sons and tribes of Israel (Gen 49:1-28; cf. Deut 33) 2.30 Death and burial of the main heroes, obedience to testamentary words, and establishing the line of spiritual succession (Gen 49:29-50:26; cf. Deut 34) 2.31 Conclusions Chapter 3: Exodus-Numbers as an Israelite sequentialhypertextual reworking of Deuteronomy 3.1 God-given power and protection of Israel against mighty Gentiles (Exod 1:1-2:10; cf. Deut 1:1-40) 3.2 Unholy attack on a Gentile and the subsequent escape to the wilderness (Exod 2:11-15; cf. Deut 1:41-46) 3.3 Forty years in the wilderness, doing no harm to the Midianites, and longing in the exile (Exod 2:16-25; cf. Deut 2-3) 3.4 Encounter with Yahweh in fire at Mount Horeb (Exod 3; cf. Deut 4:1-5:22) 3.5 Moses as a mediator, signs for the elders of Israel, observing the commandments, bodily signs of love, and Yahweh’s jealousy for idolatry (Exod 4; cf. Deut 5:23-6:19) 3.6 Great signs and wonders against Pharaoh and his house, and observing Yahweh’s ordinances (Exod 5:1-13:16; cf. Deut 6:20-25) 3.7 Total destruction of mightier, militant Gentiles (Exod 13:17-15:21; cf. Deut 7) 3.8 Testing in the wilderness, and manna and water (Exod 15:22-17:7; cf. Deut 8:1-16) 3.9 Defeating Amalek not with the might of hands (Exod 17:8-16; cf. Deut 8:17-9:3) 3.10 Not because of your righteousness (Exod 18; cf. Deut 9:4-6) 3.11 Covenant at Mount Sinai (Exod 19-31; cf. Deut 9:7-11) 3.12 Moulded calf and propitiation, Moses’ prayer for Israel, and the renewal of the covenant concerning the land of Canaan (Exod 32-34; cf. Deut 9:12-11:28) 3.13 Pan-Israelite sanctuary of Yahweh (Exod 35-40; cf. Deut 11:29-12:12) 3.14 Proper way of offering sacrifices (Lev 1-9; cf. Deut 12:13-28) 3.15 Punishing sons who engaged in illicit worship, proper way of mourning, maintaining holiness, and not eating detestable things (Lev 10; cf. Deut 12:29-14:3) 3.16 Clean and unclean animals, and holiness of the Israelites (Lev 11-20; cf. Deut 14:4-21) 3.17 Priests and offerings (Lev 21-22; cf. Deut 14:22-29) 3.18 Festivals of Yahweh during the year, giving just and impartial judgements, and heptads of years (Lev 23-25; cf. Deut 15:1-16:20) 3.19 Not setting up sacred pillars, and respect for proper worship (Lev 26:1-2; cf. Deut 16:21-17:1) 3.20 Punishment for breaking Yahweh’s covenant (Lev 26:3-46; cf. Deut 17:2-7) 3.21 Priestly judgements in difficult cases (Lev 27; cf. Deut 17:8-13) 3.22 Rulers from among brethren in Israel (Num 1-2; cf. Deut 17:14-20) 3.23 Priests and Levites (Num 3-10; cf. Deut 18:1-8) 3.24 Destruction of idolaters in Israel (Num 11:1-3; cf. Deut 18:9-14) 3.25 Prophets as followers of Moses (Num 11:4-12:16; cf. Deut 18:15-22) 3.26 Conquering the land of Canaan, capital punishment for grave sins, remedies for unconscious sins, and making tassels (Num 13-19; cf. Deut 19-22) 3.27 Assembly of Yahweh, Edom, making and fulfilling vows, Moab, Balaam, dying for one’s own sins, and having no male heirs (Num 20-27; cf. Deut 23-25) 3.28 Burnt offerings, other offerings, vows, and contributions offered in the sanctuary (Num 28-31; cf. Deut 26-28) 3.29 Transjordan as an inheritance of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh (Num 32; cf. Deut 29:1-14) 3.30 Exodus from Egypt through various places, and possessing the land of Canaan (Num 33; cf. Deut 29:15-32:52) 3.31 Ideal Israel with its borders and its twelve tribes (Num 34-36; cf. Deut 33-34) 3.32 Conclusions Chapter 4: Samuel-Kings as a Judaean sequentia lhypertextual reworking of Deuteronomy 4.1 Initial cultic setting and promise (1 Sam 1:1-2:11;cf. Deut 1:1-25) 4.2 Israel’s original sin and Yahweh’s curse on evil Israelites (1 Sam 2:12-36; cf. Deut 1:26-35) 4.3 Hope in the new, innocent generation (1 Sam 3; cf. Deut 1:36-39) 4.4 Israel’s unholy war and forty years of the old generation (1 Sam 4-5; cf. Deut 1:40-2:1) 4.5 Return towards the land of Canaan (1 Sam 6; cf. Deut 2:2-3) 4.6 Peace with Israel’s neighbours (1 Sam 7; cf. Deut 2:4-7) 4.7 Men of war rejected by Yahweh (1 Sam 8-15; cf. Deut 2:8-16) 4.8 New, innocent generation (1 Sam 16; cf. Deut 2:17-23) 4.9 Fighting against an iron-equipped giant (1 Sam 17; cf. Deut 2:24-3:17) 4.10 Covenant within Israel (1 Sam 18:1-5; cf. Deut 3:18-22) 4.11 Yahweh’s disfavour towards the old leader of Israel and favour towards the young one (1 Sam 18:6-30; cf. Deut 3:23-29) 4.12 Wisdom and righteousness, and an authoritative ordinance (1 Sam 19:1-7; cf. Deut 4:1-14) 4.13 Saving life and avoiding deceitful images in the human form (1 Sam 19:8-17; cf. Deut 4:15-40) 4.14 City of refuge, righteousness, and making a covenant (1 Sam 19:18-21:1; cf. Deut 4:41-5:3) 4.15 Remaining in the face of Yahweh and respecting holiness (1 Sam 21:2-10; cf. Deut 5:4-5) 4.16 House of slavery, no Gentile gods, not hating Yahweh, not uttering Yahweh’s name in vain, and not doing work every day (1 Sam 21:11-23:28; cf. Deut 5:6-15) 4.17 Honouring the father and not committing murder (1 Sam 24; cf. Deut 5:16-17) 4.18 Not committing murder, adultery, theft, false witness, or illicit coveting (1 Sam 25; cf. Deut 5:17-21) 4.19 Teaching the sons, guarding the hand and the head, serving only one God and not other gods, swearing by Yahweh’s name, and keeping watch (1 Sam 26; cf. Deut 5:22-6:25) 4.20 Separating from the Gentiles, utterly destroying Gentile nations in the land of Canaan, and imposing a ban on Gentile worship (1 Sam 27-28; cf. Deut 7:1-16) 4.21 Yahweh’s help in utterly destroying more numerous Gentiles in Canaan (1 Sam 29-30; cf. Deut 7:17-8:18) 4.22 Perishing as a result of not obeying the voice of Yahweh (1 Sam 31 – 2 Sam 1; cf. Deut 8:19-20) 4.23 Taking possession of a city, lacking righteousness, breaking the commandments, fasting, reacting to a sin, and leading out the Israelites (2 Sam 2-5; cf. Deut 9) 4.24 Quasi-Levitical way of dealing with the ark (2 Sam 6; cf. Deut 10:1-11) 4.25 Being chosen from among the nations (2 Sam 7; cf. Deut 10:12-16) 4.26 Yahweh being mighty and awesome, dedicating gifts to Yahweh, and administering justice (2 Sam 8; cf. Deut 10:17-18) 4.27 Justice and love for orphans, widows, and strangers; and taking oaths in the name of Yahweh (2 Sam 9:1-12:25; cf. Deut 10:18-20) 4.28 Being like stars in heaven, doing awesome things to Israel’s enemies, and reversing the situation of Egypt (2 Sam 12:26-31; cf. Deut 10:21-22) 4.29 Sons not knowing the discipline of Yahweh (2 Sam 13-19; cf. Deut 11:1-5) 4.30 Punishing two rebellious Israelites (2 Sam 20:1-22; cf. Deut 11:6-7) 4.31 Being strong, suffering from hunger because of sins, obeying Yahweh’s commandment, and awaiting water from the heavens (2 Sam 20:23-21:14; cf. Deut 11:8-17) 4.32 Driving out the Gentiles from the borders of Israel, teaching words to children, and causing fear among the Gentiles (2 Sam 21:15-23:39; cf. Deut 11:18-25) 4.33 Blessing and curse, and Yahweh’s holy place (2 Sam 24; cf. Deut 11:26-32) 4.34 King over Israel and his numerous wives, wise judging, food contributions, the temple of Yahweh, and three feasts a year (1 Kgs 1:1-11:4; cf. Deut 12:1-18:8) 4.35 Idolatry in Israel (1 Kgs 11:5-16:34; cf. Deut 18:9-14) 4.36 Prophet like Moses (1 Kgs 17:1 – 2 Kgs 2:15; cf. Deut 18:15-22) 4.37 Sending to find someone, important cities in Israel, Moabites regarded as enemies, and needing water in the camp (2 Kgs 2:16-3:27; cf. Deut 19:1-23:15) 4.38 Creditor, slaves not handed over, raising up a son, the son not dying because of the father, and portions of flour (2 Kgs 4; cf. Deut 23:16-25:19) 4.39 Aramaeans, land and worship, hard labour, wonders against enemies, eating in the gate, giving to the widow, not giving to the dead, and the holy place (2 Kgs 5-8; cf. Deut 26:1-27:7) 4.40 Cursing the unfaithful Israelites and becoming the people of Yahweh (2 Kgs 9-11; cf. Deut 27:8-26) 4.41 Blessings for faithfulness, and curses and exile for unfaithfulness (2 Kgs 12-17; cf. Deut 28) 4.42 Prospering because of keeping the commandments, Yahweh’s sign, serving abominable idols, and being wiped out (2 Kgs 18-21; cf. Deut 29-30) 4.43 Publicly reading the written law, which was received from a priest, and celebrating a feast (2 Kgs 22:1-23:30; cf. Deut 31) 4.44 Being exiled, Yahweh’s protection for the distanced Judaeans, and dying in the exile (2 Kgs 23:31-25:30; cf. Deut 32-34) 4.45 Conclusions General conclusions Bibliography Primary sources Secondary literature Index of ancient sources Using the method of intertextual research, this book demonstrates that "Deuteronomy" is an Israelite sequential hypertextual reworking of "Ezekiel", that "Genesis" and "Exodus" - "Numbers" are Israelite sequential hypertextual reworkings of "Deuteronomy", and that "Samuel" - "Kings" is a Judaean sequential hypertextual reworking of "Deuteronomy".