Ritual and Rhetoric in Leviticus: From Sacrifice to Scripture by James W. Watts

Description: Ritual and Rhetoric in Leviticus by James W. Watts 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. It goes beyond Leviticus to show the unexpected impact of the books ritual rhetoric about priests and sacrifice in later religious traditions. FORMAT Hardcover LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description 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. The answer to the question, who was trying to persuade whom of what by writing these texts? proves to be quite consistent throughout Leviticus 1-16: Aaronide high priests and their supporters used this book to legitimize their monopoly over the ritual offerings of Jews and Samaritans. With this priestly rhetoric at its center, the Torah supported the rise to power of two priestly dynasties in Second Temple Judaism. Their ascendancy in turn elevated the prestige and rhetorical power to the book, making it the first real scripture in Near Eastern and Western religious traditions. Notes 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. Author Biography James W. Watts is Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Religion at Syracuse University. He is the author of Psalm and Story: Inset Hymns in Hebrew Narratives (1992), Reading Law: the Rhetorical Shaping of the Pentateuch (1999) and editor of Persia and Torah: The Theory of the Imperial Authorization of the Pentateuch (2001). Table of Contents 1. Introduction: ritual text and ritual interpretation; 2. The rhetoric of ritual instruction; 3. The rhetoric of burnt offerings; 4. The rhetoric of sin, guilt and ritual offerings; 5. The rhetoric of ritual narrative; 6. The rhetoric of atonement; 7. The rhetoric of priesthood; 8. The rhetoric of sacrifice; 9. The rhetoric of scripture; Bibliography; Index of biblical citations; Index of other ancient literature; Index of authors; Index of subjects. Review Ritual and Rhetoric in Leviticus is a lively, very readable, and clear exposition of a scholarly approach to biblical material that Watts has pioneered in the field of biblical studies. This book is indeed a timely contribution to understanding the book of Leviticus, a body of texts that continues to receive a great deal of attention from so many different standpoints. Calum Carmichael, Cornell University Though Leviticus might not seem important at first glance, it has been the focus of several major publications recently. In addition, it is a highly fraught issue for Christians and Jews. Watts provides an original approach to many issues, offering a significant alternative to recent treatments. This book is a very exciting, often original, well-produced and thorough study of some important questions. David Carr, Union Theological Seminary Watts skilfully carries out his fresh reading of Leviticus with penetrating attention to persuasive effects of literary features (e.g., genre conventions, repetitive structures, negative stipulations, terminology); robust interaction with secondary sources and comparative materials; and excellent writing that is engaging, precise, and concise. With finely tuned logic, Watts builds his case from critiques of existing ritual interpretations to identification of rhetoric supporting a priestly monopoly to the breathtaking conclusion that these ritual instructions at the heart of the Pentateuch legitimated authority of the whole collection of writings and played the pivotal role in elevating it to the status of scripture. Roy E. Gane, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly Promotional This book uses rhetorical analysis to expose the motives behind the writing of this central book of the Torah/Pentateuch. Long Description 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. Review Quote Watts skilfully carries out his fresh reading of Leviticus with penetrating attention to persuasive effects of literary features (e.g., genre conventions, repetitive structures, negative stipulations, terminology); robust interaction with secondary sources and comparative materials; and excellent writing that is engaging, precise, and concise. With finely tuned logic, Watts builds his case from critiques of existing ritual interpretations to identification of rhetoric supporting a priestly monopoly to the breathtaking conclusion that these ritual instructions at the heart of the Pentateuch legitimated authority of the whole collection of writings and played the pivotal role in elevating it to the status of scripture. Roy E. Gane, The Catholic Biblical Quarterly Promotional "Headline" This book uses rhetorical analysis to expose the motives behind the writing of this central book of the Torah/Pentateuch. Description for Bookstore 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. It goes beyond Leviticus to show the unexpected impact of the books ritual rhetoric about priests and sacrifice in later religious traditions. Description for Library 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. It goes beyond Leviticus to show the unexpected impact of the books ritual rhetoric about priests and sacrifice in later religious traditions. Details ISBN052187193X Author James W. Watts Short Title RITUAL & RHETORIC IN LEVITICUS Publisher Cambridge University Press Language English ISBN-10 052187193X ISBN-13 9780521871938 Media Book Format Hardcover Year 2007 Imprint Cambridge University Press Subtitle From Sacrifice to Scripture Place of Publication Cambridge Country of Publication United Kingdom Edition 1st Birth 1960 Illustrations black & white illustrations Affiliation Syracuse University, New York DOI 10.1604/9780521871938 UK Release Date 2007-07-02 AU Release Date 2007-07-02 NZ Release Date 2007-07-02 Pages 278 Publication Date 2007-07-02 Alternative 9780511499159 DEWEY 222.1306 Audience Professional & Vocational We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. With fast shipping, low prices, friendly service and well over a million items - you're bound to find what you want, at a price you'll love! TheNile_Item_ID:95108811;

Price: 247.14 AUD

Location: Melbourne

End Time: 2025-01-06T03:53:28.000Z

Shipping Cost: 11.63 AUD