Deuteronomy: A Commentary (The Old Testament Library)

This commentary on Deuteronomy now available in a new casebound edition meets and exceeds the high standards of the Old Testament Library series. It provides one of the most sophisticated explanations of the compositional process that produced Deuteronomy presenting that process as a combination of large-scale redactional activity and micro- redaction. The commentary is also attentive to the historical background of Deuteronomys origins in the reigns of Manasseh and Josiah. The fresh translation that heads each section is followed by insightful linguistic comments that highlight Deuteronomys famous homiletical and didactic style. The literary and rhetorical features of the final form of Deuteronomy are everywhere present and Nelson makes a compelling presentation of their incessant claim on the reader a claim that effectively urges the reader toward an appropriate response. What emerges most clearly from these elements of Nelsons commentary is a critical but sympathetic portrait of Deuteronomys distinctive theology: its idealistic call for reform its demand for the centralization of sacrifice its demand for the eradication of rival religions its stress on Yahwehs election of Israel and Israels covenant duty and its confrontation of every serious reader with a moment of existential decision.