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Review of Biblical Literature Blog

From Priestly Torah to Pentateuch: A Study in the Composition of the Book of Leviticus
Nihan, Christophe

Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 2007 pp. xviii + 697. €99.00

Series Information
Forschungen zum Alten Testament, 2/25

Description: Christophe Nihan investigates the composition history of Leviticus, considered as a separate "book" in the Torah/Pentateuch. In order to account for the distinct nature of the text, the author combines redaction criticism with comparative observations, cross-cultural studies in rituals, and inner-biblical exegesis. His analysis focuses on the sources used by the authors of Leviticus and the way in which they are re-interpreted in what is primarily a literary composition; on the book's relationship to the so-called Priestly literature in the Pentateuch; and, finally, on the place of Leviticus in the composition of the Torah as a whole. In particular, it is argued that Lev 1-16 (except for ch. 10) was initially composed as the conclusion to the Priestly narrative in Genesis and Exodus. The introduction of Lev 17-26 (27), for its part, betrays an entirely distinct historical and literary context. Through the systematic reception of Deuteronomy on one hand and the "Book of the Covenant" (Exod 21-23) on the other, an attempt is made to close the revelation on Mt Sinai with a legislation that bridges the gap between P and other biblical codes at the time of the Torah's composition.

Subjects: Bible, Hebrew Bible / Old Testament, Pentateuch, Leviticus, Literature, Methods, Historical Approaches, History, Source Criticism