Cambridge University Press eBooks· 2013· Book chapter
Prolegomena to the History of Israel
- 261citations
- 2013year
Short summary
Julius Wellhausen's 1878 work, reissued in its 1885 English translation, argues the Pentateuch is a synthesis of four independent narratives, placing it in historical-social context by applying scientific philology and setting aside theological traditions.
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Key points
- The Pentateuch is presented as a synthesis of four independent narratives.
- The work applies scientific philology to place biblical texts in historical-social context.
- Theological traditions are set aside in favor of historical analysis.
- The history of worship, sacrifice, feasts, priests, and law in ancient Israel is examined.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
Julius Wellhausen (1844–1918) first published this work in German in 1878. Reissued here is the 1885 English translation of a revised 1883 version. Intended as a multi-volume work, this first book now stands as a self-contained work. A biblical scholar and orientalist, Wellhausen was professor of theology at Greifswald (until resigning for reasons of conscience) and then professor at Halle, Marburg and Göttingen. An early exponent of scientific philology, he placed the Pentateuch in a historical-social context, setting aside theological traditions. In this work, he sets out his method and argues that the Pentateuch is a synthesis of four independent narratives. He then examines the history of worship, sacrifice, sacred feasts, priests, and the law in ancient Israel. Wellhausen is a central figure in modern biblical studies, his theory dominated scholarship for a century, and his pioneering work remains of great interest in the field.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Cambridge University Press eBooks, 2013 · DOI ↗
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Field: Religious studies
Religious studiesArts and Humanities