Biblical Sinai Traditions - by Israel Knohl (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

This book discusses the the beginning of writing and the Beginning of Biblical Literature. Making the claim that the poetic descriptions of God's appearance from Sinai and the giving of commandments are older than the story in the Torah, this book looks at the drama of the redesign of Sinai traditions and their transfer from the oral poetic expression to the creation of written story. Taking place against the background of the intensification of literacy in the ancient Israeli society in the eighth century BC, the book argues that the emergence of scriptural prophecy is the other side of the same coin. This work is an important read for scholars of early Christianity.

From the Back Cover

This book discusses the the beginning of writing and the Beginning of Biblical Literature. Making the claim that the poetic descriptions of God's appearance from Sinai and the giving of commandments are older than the story in the Torah, this book looks at the drama of the redesign of Sinai traditions and their transfer from the oral poetic expression to the creation of written story. Taking place against the background of the intensification of literacy in the ancient Israeli society in the eighth century BC, the book argues that the emergence of scriptural prophecy is the other side of the same coin. This work is an important read for scholars of early Christianity.

Israel Knohl is the Yehezkel Kaufmann professor of Hebrew Bible (emeritus) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a senior research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute Jerusalem. He served as a visiting professor at Harvard, Berkeley and Stanford Universities and the Chicago Divinity School. He is the author of 11 books and many articles.

This Concise yet comprehensive study integrates Biblical Scholarship, theology. Literature, history, archeology, and more to present a fresh perspective on the development of the Sinai tradition and by extension, the very foundation of Biblical religion. Knohl masterfully traces the narrative, from ancient poems shaped at the close of the Bronze Age to later sources...none can overlook the scope, depth and originality of this groundbreaking work.

-Prof. Ishay Rozen-Zvi, Tel Aviv, University.

Scholars and the wide public will both praise the publication of this book. In this book, Knohl succeeded to present a critical reading of the Bible which will keep it relevant to our days.

-Prof. Jonatha Ben-Dov, Tel Aviv, University.

About the Author

Israel Knohl is the Yehezkel Kaufmann professor of Hebrew Bible (emeritus) at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a senior research fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute Jerusalem. He served as a visiting professor at Harvard, Berkeley and Stanford Universities and the Chicago Divinity School. He is the author of 11 books and many articles.