01 Pentateuch Introduction Lecture

8/11/2019 01 Pentateuch Introduction Lecture

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Pentateuch

Introduction


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Introduction

Pentateuch

Comes from Greek:

penta() five +

teuchos () roll = five rolls

Hebrew term = Torah hr"AT Typically translated law in English Bibles, but this is

an inadequate translation. Torah = instruction or teaching


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Introduction

The Genres of Torah

Genre = type of literature

Four major Torah genres:

Narrative-- majority of Pentateuch (Gen., Exod. 1-18,

Lev. 8-10, Num.)

Laws& regulations (Exod., Lev., Deut.)

Poetry(Gen. 49; Exod. 15; Deut. 32)

Genealogies(Gen. 5, 10, 36, Exod. 6) and censuses

(Num. 3 and 23)


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Introduction

The Purposes of Torah according to Torah

Impart wisdom (Deut. 4:5-8)

Wisdom is the skill of seeing life and all its components

from Gods perspective and keeping the proper focus. Provide guidance (Exod. 16:4; Deut. 5:33)

How to be right with God by faith (Gen. 15:6)

How to walk with God (Leviticus)

Grant physical life (Lev. 18:5)

Ensure success (Deut. 28:1-14; Josh. 1:8)


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Introduction

Equip us for every good work

2 Tim. 3:16-17 All Scripture is inspired by God

and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for

correction, for training in righteousness; so thatthe man of God may be adequate, equipped for

every good work.


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Composition of the Torah

Mosaic Authorship

Claimed in the following books of the Pentateuch

Exod. 24:4, 34:27; Num. 33:2; Deut. 31:9

Affirmed by OT terminology

law of Moses (22x; Josh. 8:32; 1 Kgs 2:3)

book of Moses (5x; Ezra 6:18)


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book of the law of Moses (3x; Josh. 23:6; 2

Kgs 14:6)

word of the Lord by Moses (1x; 2 Chron.

35:6) commandment of Moses (1x; 2 Chron. 8:13)


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Verified by Jesus

Mosaic authorship of Pentateuch generally

Luke 24:27 Beginning at Moses and the Prophets

Luke 24:44 all things which are written about

Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the

Psalms

John 5:46 If you believed Moses you wouldbelieve me

John 7:19 Did not Moses give you the law?


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Jesus attribution of specific books of the

Pentateuch to Moses

Exodus-- Mark 7:10 Moses said "honor father and

mother," "whoever speaks evil of father andmother is to die" (Exod. 20:12, 21:17)

Leviticus-- Matt. 8:4 Moses commanded offerings

for cleansed leprosy (cf. Mark 1:44)

Deuteronomy-- Matt. 19:8 Moses permitted youto divorce your wives (Deut. 24:1-4)


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Date of Composition

Between 1445/6 and 1405/6

Some later editing by Joshua is possiblebut not necessary.

E.g., death of Moses narrative (Deut. 34)

God could have inspired Moses to write the

account of his own death. We dont know for

sure.


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Possible Order of Composition

1. Exod. 15 Song of Moses

2. Exod. 20 Ten Commandments

3. Exod. 22-24 Book of the Covenant

4. Exod. 25-30 Instructions for Tabernacle

5. Parts of Leviticus

6. Narrative sections of Gen.-Num. ?

7. Deuteronomy


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Canonical Arrangement

No evidence for alternative order

Historical motive: arrangement appears to be

basically chronological

Theological motive: illustrate how to be right

with God (Abraham, Joseph) before laying out

the walk with God (Mosaic Covenant). Contextual motive: background to and

justification for conquest of Canaan.


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How to Read Scripture

Window

Allows us a limited view into the world of the

ancient near east

Stained Glass

Highly selective portrait designed to

communicate a theological message

Mirror

Narratives reveal human nature and thus our

own nature, teaching us how to live and please

God

Documents

01 Pentateuch Introduction Lecture