The Pentateuch (BA9100C)

Content

This unit explores the traditions, literary forms, and central theological themes of the Pentateuch. Students will examine chosen pentateuchal passages in light of source criticism, form criticism, narrative criticism, and reception history. They will develop familiarity with ancient and modern interpretations of the Pentateuch by Jewish and Christian exegetes. Attention will be given to both narrative and legal texts and to theological links between the Pentateuch and the New Testament. The unit will demonstrate the enduring relevance of pentateuchal texts to contemporary society and the church.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

BA8001C and BN8001C or equivalent

Pedagogy

Classes consist of interactive lectures, reading and analysing biblical texts, as well as discussions and seminars (in each case, presented in modes appropriate for face-to-face, online, or intensive learning contexts).

Indicative Bibliography

• Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch. 4th ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2022.
• Amit, Yairah. Reading Biblical Narratives: Literary Criticism and the Hebrew Bible. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2001.
• Anderson, Bradford A. An Introduction to the Study of the Pentateuch. 2nd ed. T&T Clark Approaches to Biblical Studies. London: Bloomsbury, 2020.
• Collins, John J., Gina Hens-Piazza, Barbara Reid, and Donald Senior, eds. The Jerome Biblical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century. 3rd rev. ed. London: T&T Clark, 2022.
• Kugel, James L. Traditions of the Bible: A Guide to the Bible As It Was at the Start of the Common Era. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1998.
• Laffey, Alice. The Pentateuch: A Liberation-Critical Reading. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1998.
• Ska, Jean-Louis. The Exegesis of the Pentateuch: Exegetical Studies and Basic Questions. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2009.
• Van Seters, John. The Pentateuch: A Social-Science Commentary. 2nd ed. Cornerstones. London: Bloomsbury, 2015.
• Westermann, Claus. Genesis 1–11, 12–36, 37–50. 3 vols. Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1984, 1985, 1986.
• Zucker, David. The Torah: An Introduction for Christians and Jews. New York: Paulist, 2005.

Assessment