"Through his detailed examination of texts, Levinson documents a revolution in ancient Israel's religious life and social history."--
The Journal of Theological Studies"Bernard Levinson is a brilliant young scholar who has written an outstanding book about how the Covenant Code from Mount Sinai became the Code of Deuteronomy at the borders of the River Jordan. It is a fascinating discourse on how to change law without changing tradition. The importance of Biblical law for canon theory, Biblical narrative, and Israelite religion usually is underestimated; this new approach will hopefully get more people reading law, and especially Deuteronomy. It will be compelling to both American and European readers as it integrates the leading scholarly discourses of both communities."--Norbert Lohfink SJ, Professor of Biblical Studies,
Philosophisch- Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen, Frankfurt"An exemplary work of biblical scholarship--careful and controlled by analytic rigor, yet bold and innovative in its scope and suggestions. Students of ancient law, legal literature, religion, and culture will greatly benefit from Levinson's work."--Michael Fishbane, Nathan Cummings Professor of Jewish Studies,
University of Chicago"In noting that the Deuteronomic innovations were not simply interpolated into a reworked version of the Covenant Code but rather presented in a new, complete composition, Levinson demonstrates his own primary commitment to the
text, to the history of textual transmission, and to the social milieu in which the text functions. Levinson elegantly presents the use of the Covenant Code as both a source and resource for the Deuteronomic authors."--Martha T. Roth, Professor, Oriental Institute,
University of Chicago and Editor-in-Charge of the
Chicago Assyrian Dictionary"Bernard Levinson's book is a major study. He demonstrates the radical break with the past and the way in which the authors or composers of Deuteronomy not only transformed religion and society in ancient Israel but also radically revised its literary history. The power and accomplishment of the Deuteronomic movement has rarely been so clearly demonstrated. Levinson's work is a clarification of the way in which hermeneutics is not something that starts with the interpreter's handling of the canonical text but is a process by which the canonical text itself came into being. He shows how the new text subverts and dominates older texts in behalf of a radical cultural and religious transformation. With this book, Levinson places himself in the front rank of Deuteronomy scholars."--Patrick D. Miller, Charles P. Haley Professor of Old Testament Exegesis and Theology,
Princeton Theological Seminary"Levinson's book is a
tour de force."--
Journal of Semitic Studies
