Genesis as Torah

Should Genesis rightly be identified as law--that is, as torah or legal instruction for Israel? Peterson argues in the affirmative, concluding that Genesis serves a greater function than merely offering a prehistory or backstory for the people of Israel. As the introductory book to the Torah, Genesis must first and foremost be read as legal instruction for Israel. And how exactly is that instruction presented? Peterson posits that many of the Genesis accounts serve as case law. The Genesis narratives depict what a number of key laws in the pentateuchal law codes look like in practice. When Genesis is read through this lens, the rhetorical strategy of the biblical author(s) becomes clear and the purpose for including specific narratives takes on new meaning.

About the author

Brian Neil Peterson is assistant professor in Old Testament at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Along with published studies in the Deuteronomistic History and Ezekiel, he is also the author of Ezekiel in Context (2012).

Product details

• Authors: Brian Neil Peterson
• Publisher: Cascade Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 03.01.2018
• EAN: 9781532635830
• ISBN: 978-1-5326-3583-0
• No. of pages: 196
• Dimensions: 152 mm x 229 mm x 11 mm
• Weight: 293 g
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > Religion/theology > Christianity; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Religion: general, reference works