Overview
This first full-scale account of Leviticus by a world renowned anthropologist presents the biblical work as a literary masterpiece. Seen in an anthropological perspective Leviticus has a mystical structure which plots the book into three parts corresponding to the three parts of the desert tabernacle, both corresponding to the parts of Mount Sinai. This completely new reading transforms the interpretation of the purity laws. The pig and other forbidden animals are not abhorrent, they command the same respect due to all God's creatures. Boldly challenging several traditions of Bible criticism, Mary Douglas claims that Leviticus is not the narrow doctrine of a crabbed professional priesthood but a powerful intellectual statement about a religion which emphasizes God's justice and compassion.
Full Product Details
Author: Mary Douglas (formerly Professor of Anthropology, formerly Professor of Anthropology, University College London)
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 14.30cm
, Height: 2.30cm
, Length: 22.40cm
Weight: 0.459kg
ISBN: 9780198150923
ISBN 10: 019815092
Pages: 298
Publication Date: 25 November 1999
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: To order
Stock availability from the supplier is unknown. We will order it for you and ship this item to you once it is received by us.
Reviews
Wealth of interesting ideas in this work, which will need to be taken into account by future readers of Leviticus Journal for the Study of the Old Testament I enjoyed this book thoroughly, especially when arguing with it, and commend it to students both of biblical studies and literature as giving a great deal of food for thought on the relationship between form, content and function in texts Hugh S. Pyper, Literature & Theology The thesis is set out with lucidity, charm and, above all, passion. Her infectious enthusiasm for the beauties and subtleties of this text which most readers have regarded as verging on the unreadable is hard to resist Hugh S. Pyper, Literature & Theology
Wealth of interesting ideas in this work, which will need to be taken into account by future readers of Leviticus Journal for the Study of the Old Testament I enjoyed this book thoroughly, especially when arguing with it, and commend it to students both of biblical studies and literature as giving a great deal of food for thought on the relationship between form, content and function in texts Hugh S. Pyper, Literature & Theology The thesis is set out with lucidity, charm and, above all, passion. Her infectious enthusiasm for the beauties and subtleties of this text which most readers have regarded as verging on the unreadable is hard to resist Hugh S. Pyper, Literature & Theology
