In the Wilderness - The Doctrine of Defilement in the Book of Numbers

Zusatztext Review from previous edition There are many illuminating remarks and informative discussions scattered through its pages. Informationen zum Autor Mary Douglas is also the author of Leviticus as Literature (1999), to be revissued in paperback in January 2001. Klappentext Following on from the paperback edition of Leviticus as Literature! this is the revised paperback edition of Mary Douglas's classical account of the Book of Numbers. Up to now Bible scholars have tended to dismiss Numbers as a chaotic mix of narrative and laws. Mary Douglas argues that! like Leviticus! Numbers is actually a highly complex book arranged in a regular ring structure which plots the narratives and laws into 12 parts. She argues that it is only through an understanding of the ring formation of these parts that one can fully appreciate the meanings behind this complex work. Zusammenfassung The author argues that far from being "the junk room of the Bible", the Book of Numbers is composed of 12 alternating sections of law and narrative arranged in a ring, with each corresponding to its pair on the other side. Neither heavy, nor obscure, it can be read like a detective story.

Product details

• Authors: Mary Douglas, Professor Mary Douglas
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 05.04.2001
• EAN: 9780199245413
• ISBN: 978-0-19-924541-3
• No. of pages: 281
• Dimensions: 140 mm x 219 mm x 17 mm
• Series: Journal for the Study of the O; Print on Demand; Journal for the Study of the O
• Subjects: Education and learning > Teaching preparation > Vocational needs; Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; RELIGION / Judaism / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology of Religion, LITERARY CRITICISM / Ancient & Classical, Anthropology, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Anthropology / General, RELIGION / Biblical Meditations / General, RELIGION / Reference, Judaism, Literary studies: classical, early & medieval, Bible readings, selections & meditations, Bible readings, selections and meditations, Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval, Criticism and exegesis of sacred texts, Criticism & Exegesis Of Sacred Texts