Topic 2 The PentateuchI. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11)Slide 3Three-Storied UniverseSlide 5Slide 6II. Patriarchal History (Gen. 12-50)Slide 8III. The Exodus (Exodus-Deut.) – c. 1290 BCSlide 10The Ten Commandments Preamble (Ex. 20:2): God’s deliverance (exodus) puts Israel under obligation.Slide 12The TabernacleSlide 14Slide 15Slide 16Topic 2 Topic 2 The PentateuchThe PentateuchTerminology:Terminology:““Pentateuch” = “five books” Pentateuch” = “five books” Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, DeuteronomyGenesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy““Torah” = “law”Torah” = “law”Content: Pre-history of IsraelContent: Pre-history of Israeli.i.Primeval history (Gen. 1-11) - Creation and fall of worldPrimeval history (Gen. 1-11) - Creation and fall of worldii.ii.Patriarchal history (Gen 12-50) - Promise to be God’s nationPatriarchal history (Gen 12-50) - Promise to be God’s nationiii.iii.The Exodus (Exodus-Deut.) - Deliverance and journey to promised landThe Exodus (Exodus-Deut.) - Deliverance and journey to promised landOrigin of Pentateuch - two theories:Origin of Pentateuch - two theories:1.1.Mosaic authorship - Moses wrote Pentateuch.Mosaic authorship - Moses wrote Pentateuch.2.2.Documentary hypothesisDocumentary hypothesisEvidence of multiple authors: varied styles; multiple accounts of same Evidence of multiple authors: varied styles; multiple accounts of same story (e.g., Creation told twice); contradictions; etc.story (e.g., Creation told twice); contradictions; etc.Four originally separate source documents woven together:Four originally separate source documents woven together:J (950 BC) - Yahwistic source (uses “Yahweh”=God’s personal name)J (950 BC) - Yahwistic source (uses “Yahweh”=God’s personal name)E (800 BC) - Elohistic source (uses “Elohim” = generic word for God)E (800 BC) - Elohistic source (uses “Elohim” = generic word for God)D (650 BC) - Deuteronomic source (mostly in Deuteronomy)D (650 BC) - Deuteronomic source (mostly in Deuteronomy)P (550 BC) - Priestly source (priestly perspective)P (550 BC) - Priestly source (priestly perspective)I. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11)I. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11)A.A.Creation of the world (Gen. 1-2)Creation of the world (Gen. 1-2)1.1.Two accounts of CreationTwo accounts of Creationa.a.P-account (1:1-2:4a) – P-account (1:1-2:4a) – majestic, poetic accountmajestic, poetic accountElohim – generic Hebrew word for “God”Elohim – generic Hebrew word for “God”Begins with dark, watery chaosBegins with dark, watery chaosOrderly – seven days (light-humans)Orderly – seven days (light-humans)Humans made “in image of God”Humans made “in image of God”Creation is pronounced “good”Creation is pronounced “good”Rested on 7Rested on 7thth day – “Sabbath” rooted in structure of creation day – “Sabbath” rooted in structure of creationb.b.J-account (2:4b-25) – J-account (2:4b-25) – down-to-earth accountdown-to-earth accountYahweh (“LORD” in all-caps indicates Hebrew text has Yahweh (“LORD” in all-caps indicates Hebrew text has “Yahweh”) – personal name of Israel’s god (other sources defer “Yahweh”) – personal name of Israel’s god (other sources defer use of “Yahweh” until Exodus 3)use of “Yahweh” until Exodus 3)Different imagery: begins with dry, barren desertDifferent imagery: begins with dry, barren desertDifferent order: Man (“Adam” = “man/mankind”) – made firstDifferent order: Man (“Adam” = “man/mankind”) – made firstGarden of Eden (“delight”) – vegetationGarden of Eden (“delight”) – vegetationAnimals – naming of animals symbolizes dominion over themAnimals – naming of animals symbolizes dominion over themWoman (“Eve” = “life”) – last but not leastWoman (“Eve” = “life”) – last but not leastTree of Life – symbolizes potential for immortalityTree of Life – symbolizes potential for immortalityTree of Knowledge – symbolizes testing of obedienceTree of Knowledge – symbolizes testing of obedienceI. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11)I. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11)2.2.Literal or theological?Literal or theological?a.a.Literal – Literal – historical, scientific accurate account of originshistorical, scientific accurate account of originsThen what do we do with differences between accounts?Then what do we do with differences between accounts?What do we do with differences from scientific findings?What do we do with differences from scientific findings?b.b.Theological – point is in the theological messageTheological – point is in the theological messageFaith affirmation: Israel’s God created all that is.Faith affirmation: Israel’s God created all that is.Mankind has special place in creation and in relationship with Mankind has special place in creation and in relationship with Creator.Creator.Compatible with scientific theories: God created world; evolution Compatible with scientific theories: God created world; evolution is how he did it!is how he did it!3.3.Genesis vs. Genesis vs. Enuma Elish Enuma Elish (Babylonian account)(Babylonian account)a.a.Similarities: Similarities: both bringboth bring order out of chaos; have similar sequence of order out of chaos; have similar sequence of creation; presuppose pre-scientific “three-storied universe.”creation; presuppose pre-scientific “three-storied universe.”b.b.Differences: Differences: Nature of God – polytheism vs. monotheism.Nature of God – polytheism vs. monotheism.Nature of humanity – Nature of humanity – lowly afterthought vs. crowning glory.lowly afterthought vs. crowning glory.c.c.Distinctive of Genesis is not scientific description but theological Distinctive of Genesis is not scientific description but theological perspective.perspective.4.4.Conclusion: Conclusion: read Genesis not for scientific explanation but for read Genesis not for scientific explanation but for theological message.theological message.Three-Storied UniverseThree-Storied UniverseI. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11)I. Primeval History (Gen. 1-11)B.B.The Fall (Gen. 3) – Rebellion in the GardenThe Fall (Gen. 3) – Rebellion in the Garden1.1.SinSinAte forbidden fruit (not called apple)Ate forbidden fruit (not called apple)Sin is rebellion against God.Sin is rebellion against