Overview

This is a seemingly minor heading interacts with genealogies and divine covenants to shape the trajectory of the story of Israel's developing sense of identity. Using a combination of form-critical and linguistic methods, the author seeks to understand the role of the toledot formula, often translated ""These are the generations of Name,"" in shaping the book of ""Genesis"" and the ""Pentateuch"" as a whole. An examination of the formula uncovers that it functions primarily as a heading to major sections of text and draws the readers' attention to focus on an ever narrower range of characters. By starting from the perspective of the surface structure of the text and addressing questions that investigation raises, the study is able to uncover and resolve a number of tensions within the text, as well as provide insights into a number of other questions surrounding the toledot headings and the organization of the structure of the Pentateuch. Over the last 30 years this pioneering series has established an unrivaled reputation for cutting-edge international scholarship in Biblical Studies and has attracted leading authors and editors in the field. The series takes many original and creative approaches to its subjects, including innovative work from historical and theological perspectives, social-scientific and literary theory, and more recent developments in cultural studies and reception history.

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9780567151414

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Reviews

The function of the toledot Formula to relate humanity, while also focusing the reader on an ever-narrowing story, is crucial for interpreting the Pentateuch. This form-critical study provides helpful insight in the important role of the toledot in structuring the present form of the text to develop the theme of covenant through the narrowing of divine-human relationships.<p>--Thomas B. Dozeman, Professor of Hebrew Bible United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH

The function of the toledot Formula to relate humanity, while also focusing the reader on an ever-narrowing story, is crucial for interpreting the Pentateuch. This form-critical study provides helpful insight in the important role of the toledot in structuring the present form of the text to develop the theme of covenant through the narrowing of divine-human relationships. Thomas B. Dozeman, Professor of Hebrew Bible United Theological Seminary, Dayton, OH Matthew Thomas points to a new dimension in reading the final form of the Pentateuch. By pointing to the significance of the toledoth formulae as a structuring device in the Pentateuch including the reference to in the generations of Aaron and Moses in Numbers 3:1 he prompts interpreters to recognize that the final form of the Pentateuch presents a history of humankind in general and Israel in particular that culminates in the institution of the Levitical priesthood. Marvin A. Sweeney, Claremont School of Theology and Claremont Graduate University

Author Information

Matthew A. Thomas (Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible, Claremont Graduate University) has served as a member of the adjunct faculty at Fuller Theological Seminary and at Azusa Pacific University in California.

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