The Book of the Covenant (Exodus 20:22-23:33) is one of the Old Testament collections of legal texts. This volume offers an introduction, translation and detailed commentary.
Special attention is given to the character of the Book of the Covenant, to its innerbiblical context, and its relation with the other Old Testament and Ancient Near Eastern law traditions. The implications of the existing relations, the Book's actualisation within the Old Testament, and the history of interpretation are described with care.
Thanks to its clear structure, this study is an excellent guide through a specific area of ancient program literature. An important book for all who are interested in the law traditions of the Ancient Near East, the ethics of the Bible, and law history in general.
Cornelis Houtman is Professor of Old Testament at the Theological University Kampen. Major publications: Der Himmel im Alten Testament (1993), Der Pentateuch (1994), and Commentary on the Book of Exodus (in Dutch, I 1986; II 1990; III 1996; English translation, I 1993; II 1996; III in preparation).
'H. has here provided an invaluable guide to the literature and the issues, his commentary on the substantive provisions providing both exegetical (largely philological) notes and commentary on the legal issues.
B.S. Jackson, Journal for the Study of the Old Testament, 1998.
'â¦a reliable guide to the issues and as near-comprehensive an account of the literature as is possible within a book of this size..will attract the serious attention of scholars form many years to come.'
B.S. Jackson, Journal of Semitic Studies, 2000.
All those interested in Ancient Near Eastern culture, biblical studies, as well as history of law.