deuteronomy

deuteronomy

1. dating

   • moses
     • traditional mind and mentioned most in the text
     • BUT 1. references to later events 2. language and style 3. inabilty to write
   • De Wette
     • reference in 2Kg22 to a book of law discovered in the temple in 18th year of King Josiah's reign- 623-622 BC
       • cult objects in temples burnt and shrine at Bethel desecrated
     • this important book becomes original Deut
   • Gramburg School- rejects D.W
     • Holscher: editor of Kings actually scewed 22 to give Deut reference
       • BUT then why is there no reference in Kings to release of the jews from exile/rebuilding of temple
   • not much earlier than discovery
     • supposed discovery in temple in Judah
     • references to unity of israel in mutual love of God 6.5-9, 12.1
       • in 7th century israel was split between northern and southerm

2. Origins

   • Von Rad
     • northern kingdom
       • most closely reflects theological and political aims
       • striving for distinctiveness from the Canaanite cult of Baal
       • neither pro-monarchic, pro-davidic nor pro-jerusalem
       • authentic rules concerning patterns of worship and social administration of North
     • written by group who fled from the north to the south to escape Assyrian control
   • clements
     • we know too little about north south religious tradition differences

3. authorship

   • not revealed in text
   • addressed to israel in the form of the words of moses- but probably not him
   • circle of high officials in jerusalem
     • why enthusiasm for reform
     • BUT 17.14-20 puts case for kingship too reluctantly to be pro-monarchic group
     • BUT importance on Moses suggests desire for alternative authority figure to monarchy
   • wisdom writers or politicians?
     • diversity of subjects- strong gage on the whole sacral and legal tradition
     • authority in tone- utilize administrative powers of the state- fairly powerful
     • Weinfeld- politicians because of rhetoric- used to public speaking
     • book of law not wisdom
   • levitical priests
     • Von Rad
       • knowledge and authority- holders of religious office
       • at this time- shift in politics and war authority from king to other forces e.g religious leaders
       • law of warfare- priest makes special speech before e.g 7.16-26
     • BUT nicholson
       • high opinion given to prophets as covenant mediator
         • BUT not magisterial enough. dream interpreters, marginally better than soothsayers
   • ultimately
     • powerful group with strong knowledge of theology and law
     • not necessarily one professional class- reforming party of Northern Israel brought together by turmoil

4. Purpose

   • primarily law
   • 1. strong spiritual tenor- love is the key command
     • 6.5- you shall love the lord your god with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might
     • Eichrodt: not merely language of law but that of love and conscience
   • 2. demand for merciless destruction of the previous inhabitants of Canaan
     • 7.2: destroy them totally. make no treaty with them and show them no mercy- racial genocide
   • 2fold mood
     • clements: some of the most perceptive and uplifting, as well as the most frightful and alarming features of the ot's ethical teaching
     • love god, obey his laws and brutally fight for his land