Land and Calendar

This book examines the notion of the land and its conquest, important subjects today for the formation of the Pentateuch. Thanks to very peculiar style and theology, Pg was identified as far back as 1869 by Theodor Noldeke and remains one of the last pillars of Pentateuch research after the fall of the Wellhausen model. Its existence is rarely doubted, but its extent is debated. Does it end already in "Exodus" (Otto, Pola, Bauks) or does it go as far as "Deuteronomy" (Noth, Frevel) or even into "Joshua" (Lohfink, Knauf)? The end determines Pg's notion of the land and its conquest, important subjects today for the formation of the Pentateuch (was there first a Hexateuch?). The 364-day perpetual calendar offers a reliable criterion to identify Pg within the final text of the Hexateuch because the simple mathematic of the calendar are easier to control than hypothetical redactors. Pg is divided into seven periods, from creation to the entry of the sons of Israel in an empty land of Canaan. The festival calendar of "Leviticus" 23, and the Jubilee of Lev 25 constitute the heart of Pg, the practical outworking of principles presented in the narrative. Bloodless atonement with no connection to any temple whatsoever, peaceful entry into the empty Promised Land, eternal sabbatical rhythm, are Pg's major theological characteristics. 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.