Biblical Narratives of Israelites and their Neighbors: Strangers at the Gate (Routledge Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biblical Criticism)

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, strangers are indispensable to the formation of a collective Israelite identity. Encounters between the Israelites and their neighbors are among the most urgent matters explored in biblical narratives, yet relatively little scholarly attention has been paid to them. This book corrects that imbalance by carrying out close readings of the accounts of Israel's myriad interactions with the surrounding nations. The book follows the people of Israel after they leave Egypt, as they wander in the wilderness, cross over into the land, become a unified people Israel and face explusion from that land. The introduction lays the groundwork for a literary reading. Each chapter that follows highlights a distinct people and the issues that they create. For example, Jethro, father-in-law of Moses and a Midian priest, provides a model of collaboration, while Samson's behavior triggers a cycle of violent retribution. These engaging stories illustrate the perceived dangers of idolatry and military oppression, but also convey lessons in governance, cultural innovation and the building of alliances. This book is vital reading for Biblical scholars and interested readers who want to deepen their understanding of the Israelites' relationship with neighboring peoples. It will also be of keen interest to academics who work in ancient history and culture.

Politics & Social Sciences

Leveen, Adriane

Social Sciences

Routledge

The book examines the ways in which the editors of Numbers created a narrative of the forty-year journey through the wilderness to control understanding of the past and influence attitudes in the future. The book explores politics, collective memory, and the strategies used by its priestly editors to convince the children of Israel to accept priestly rule. The book also focuses on the tragic dimension of the long journey and the transmission of tradition, memory, and values that occurs in such an atmosphere of crisis.

Memory and Tradition in the Book of Numbers

Religion & Spirituality

Christian Books & Bibles

Cambridge University Press

Throughout the Hebrew Bible, strangers are indispensable to the formation of a collective Israelite identity. Encounters between the Israelites and their neighbors are among the most urgent matters explored in biblical narratives, yet relatively little scholarly attention has been paid to them. This book corrects that imbalance by carrying out close readings of the accounts of Israel’s myriad interactions with the surrounding nations. The book follows the people of Israel after they leave Egypt, as they wander in the wilderness, cross over into the land, become a unified people Israel and face explusion from that land. The introduction lays the groundwork for a literary reading. Each chapter that follows highlights a distinct people and the issues that they create. For example, Jethro, father-in-law of Moses and a Midian priest, provides a model of collaboration, while Samson’s behavior triggers a cycle of violent retribution. These engaging stories illustrate the perceived dangers of idolatry and military oppression, but also convey lessons in governance, cultural innovation and the building of alliances. This book is vital reading for Biblical scholars and interested readers who want to deepen their understanding of the Israelites’ relationship with neighboring peoples. It will also be of keen interest to academics who work in ancient history and culture.

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Books by Leveen, Adriane

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Leveen, Adriane. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Biblical Narratives of Israelites and their Neighbors: Strangers at the Gate (Routledge Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biblical Criticism)

Memory and Tradition in the Book of Numbers

Biblical Narratives of Israelites and their Neighbors: Strangers at the Gate (Routledge Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Biblical Criticism)