Pentateuch (BA2124B)

Content

This unit addresses key questions associated with the study of the Pentateuch. It pays particular attention to its content, literary forms, historical, religious and cultural background, including its history of formation and reception. It also explores the role and place of the Pentateuch within the biblical canon and its metanarrative. Attention will be also given to key themes of the pentateuchal story: the identity of YHWH and the Jewish people, creation, covenants, exodus, laws, atonement, and holiness/purity.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

Interpreting the Hebrew Bible, or equivalent (18points)

Pedagogy

Guided readings, online tutorials and workshops, exegetical exercises, knowledge application exercises, video lessons

Indicative Bibliography

** Alexander, T. Desmond. From Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Pentateuch. Third edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2012. (The unit textbook is available as eBook via UD Library Hub)

• Anderson, Bradford A, and Paula Gooder. An Introduction to the Study of the Pentateuch. T & T Clark Approaches to Biblical Studies. London: Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2017.
• Campbell, George Van Pelt. Invitation to the Torah: A Guide to Reading, Teaching, and Preaching the Pentateuch. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock, 2020.
• Dozeman, Thomas B. The Pentateuch: Introducing the Torah. Introducing Israel's Scriptures. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2017.
• Gooder, Paula. The Pentateuch: A Story of Beginnings. New York: Continuum, 2000.
• Hamilton, Victor P. Handbook on the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. Second ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Academic, 2015.
• Van Seters, John. The Pentateuch: A Social-Science Commentary. Second ed. Cornerstones Series. London: Bloomsbury T & T Clark, 2015.
• Vogt, Peter T. Interpreting the Pentateuch: An Exegetical Handbook. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2009.
  
• Watts, James W. Understanding the Pentateuch As a Scripture. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, 2017.
• Witherington, Ben. Torah Old and New: Exegesis, Intertextuality, and Hermeneutics. Baltimore, Maryland: Project Muse, 2018.

Assessment