Rating: 
Summary: Compilation by committee
Review: Friedman keeps to a very narrow, but clearly defined, path in assessing biblical origins. He goes to some effort to restrict his thesis to identifying authors and their likely locations. The validity of events nor theology never enter the picture. Contention over inconsistencies in what has come down to us as "the" bible have raged for centuries. Scholars in the Middle Ages, he reminds us, readily noted how styles varied, accounts were duplicated and traditions conflicted. With a keen analytical eye enhanced by long experience and good scholarship, he teases a coherent picture from this confusing collection of tales. Although not all the material here is original - and how could it be? - Friedman's assemblage is soundly researched, very ably organised and presented.
The fundamental issue rests on the division of the Hebrew-speaking peoples into the "dual kingdoms" of Israel and Judah. The result was the compilation of two "histories" with different styles and priorities. Each had a different focus and approach to what was meaningful. The later confusion resulted when this pair of accounts was amalgamated into a single document and promulgated as "the" book. Friedman strongly points out that this didn't invalidate the histories, it simply meant readers of it need to understand they are reading a parallel set of accounts.
From the outset, Friedman dismisses the traditional view of Moses' authorship. There are too many implausibilities for that to have occurred - not the least of which is the description of Moses' death. Friedman contends the books are historical accounts recorded by scribes, probably court priests, of their respective kingdoms. Their style differences allow him to pin letter designations for identification - the now well-known E, J, D and P. The first two refer to how the deity was identified. The "D" is for "Deuteronomist", identified by stylistic traits, while the "P" relates to priestly genealogies. Friedman uses various highlighting techniques to demonstrate variances in the text style or content. This rather hotch-potch arrangement was later organised into the single volume by the "Redactor" [the "E" for "Editor" having already been assigned.
Setting his thesis within a well-defined chronology, Friedman shows how the various authors had previously material to draw on producing their own accounts. With no possibility of retrieving the sequence, we have only the results passed down to us. This situation explains many of the inconsistencies, since Judaic scribes had different sources than those in Israel. They also, apparently, had different agendas to follow. Almost from the beginning, for example, there are differences in the roles of Moses and Aaron. Friedman lists other variations with their probable origins.
Friedman's book is the best current example of what has become known as the "Documentary Hypothesis". This phrase stands in contrast with the idea of "divine origins" of the collection. As examples of historical literature, the books of the Hebrew Bible merit serious investigation and analysis. Friedman, picking up from French and German studies of the past two centuries, has performed a significant task. He writes well, doesn't engage in idle speculation, and, perhaps most important, condemns none. The authors he discusses were products of their time. He recognises that, keeping the authors clearly within their contemporary context. An excellent book, worthy of anybody's attention. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]
Rating:
Summary: As Relates to the "Mormon" Perspective
Review: In "ditto"-ing all the wonderful reviews and remarks given this fascinating book, I particularly wish to point out an additional perspective that holds particular significance to those in the "Mormon" faith and that I hope will resonate well with others of my own religious upbringing.
In "Mormonism," the most fundamental belief in the Trinity is that God (the Father) was and is called "Elohim" and that His son, Jesus Christ, was known before His birth as "Jehovah." This we knew, supposedly, thanks to "modern-day revelation" direct from God through a "living prophet." And while several years of in-depth study and investigation has indisputably proved these claims untrue, yet this one book provides key proof that even in such fundamental doctrine as who and what God is, the Mormon view is as flawed as the rest of this religion's other unique doctrines, beliefs, and claims.
In addition to providing us with an astounding and insightful picture of the Bible and its history, this amazing book makes crystal clear that "Elohim" and "Jehovah" were never intended nor understood anciently to refer to two separate individuals, but instead... only one.
As this book exhaustively and entertainingly explains, as first discovered in the 18th Century and later confirmed in the 19th and 20th Centuries, following the death of King Solomon, Israel split into two separate kingdoms requiring their own unique and separate national and religious identities, including the creation of their own separate scriptures. The southern kingdom (Kingdom of Judah) chose to call their god "Jehovah." The northern Kingdom (Kingdom of Israel) chose instead the more ancient name of "El" or "Elohim." Thus two separate biblical accounts of the Flood, the Abrahamic Covenant, the Exodus, etc., were written, employing in each their own name for "God." Only much later were these two accounts combined and edited into the one account we currently call the Bible, today.
Rating:
Summary: An Important Book on An Important Topic
Review: I am surprised that there have not been more books written on Biblical authorship. However, the term Bible in this book is used loosely, because almost the entire book is about only the Torah portion of the Bible (aka the Pentatuech or the Five Books of Moses: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deutoronomy) In this book, the author plays the role of Bible detective and tries to piece together a theory on who wrote (or edited or compiled) the various parts of the Torah, when they wrote it, where they wrote it, and why they wrote what they wrote. He concludes that there are several distinct sources (from wither individuals or groups) that are pieced together to form the Torah. He identifies them and tries to desribe them. However, keep in mind that we are dealing with some very old texts here, and it is very difficult to determine anyhting about their authorship. Don't get me wrong, the author does a fine job in his investigation, but still, these are more like educated guesses than they are near conclusive conclusions. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone who is interested in religion. The Torah directly or indirectly forms a major part of the foundation of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is definitely worth knowing where the Torah comes from, and this book is clearly one of the best on this subject.
Rating:
Summary: The best book on the Hebrew Bible
Review: If you want to learn all about the fascinating Old Testament scholarship of the 20th century, you can either spend a few years in divinity school or read this book. Of course, reading the book is a whole lot cheaper. =) Actually, Friedman does not discuss the entire Old Testament, but only the first five books (the Torah, or Pentateuch), which are traditionally held to have been written by Moses. He outlines how modern scholarship has in fact identified several different authors, usually referred to as the Yahwist, Elohist, Priestly and Deuteronomist sources, as well as a final Redactor or editor. Brilliant stuff, and Friedman makes it read like the greatest bit of historical detective work ever.
|
