Ritual and Rhetoric in Leviticus: From Sacrifice to Scripture - Softcover

Watts, James W.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1107407958 ISBN 13: 9781107407954

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2012

Synopsis

Ritual and Rhetoric in Leviticus uses rhetorical analysis to expose the motives behind the writing of the central book of the Torah/Pentateuch and its persuasive function in ancient Judaism. Rhetorical analysis of Leviticus has implications not only for the form and contents of that book, but also for understanding the later history of the rhetoric of priesthood, of sacrifice, and especially of scripture.

About this title

Book Description:

This book grounds its rhetorical approach in a methodological critique of current trends in the study of Leviticus, then works systematically through Leviticus 1-16 to show the persuasive shaping of the text. However, it goes beyond Leviticus to show the unexpected impact of the book's ritual rhetoric about priests and sacrifice in later religious traditions.

Review:

"This is an important study that subsequent research on Leviticus and the development of the biblical canon should take seriously...Watts skillfully carries out his fresh reading of Leviticus with penetrating attention to persuasive effects of literary features."
Roy E. Gane, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly

"...Watts' book is a compelling, creative, and thought-provoking study worthy of serious attention by anyone interested in the styles of rhetoric that shaped ancient Judaism and the socio-political universe they both presupposed and established."
Mark Leuchter, University of Sydney, Hebraic Political Studies

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 1107407958
• ISBN 13: 9781107407954
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 278