Jacob's Tears: The Priestly Work of Reconciliation

by Mary Douglas

Overview

Who is Israel? Who were the priestly authors of the Pentateuch? This anthropological reading of the Bible, by a world-renowned scholar, starts by asking why the Book of Numbers lists the twelve tribes of Israel seven times. Mary Douglas argues that the editors, far from being a separate elite unconcerned with their congregation's troubles, cherished a political agenda, a religious protest against the government of Judah's exclusionary policies. The priestly theology depends on God's Covenant with all the descendants of Jacob, including the sons of Joseph. It would have been unpatriotic, even subversive, to speak against the wars with Samaria. This book suggest an explanation of the editors' disappearance from the history of Israel.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199210640
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	02/03/2007
Edition description:	New
Pages:	218
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 5.40(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Mary Douglas is Emerita Professor of Anthropology at University College London

Table of Contents

Introduction1. Counting Jacob's twelve sons2. Jacob weeping for Joseph3. Ezra redefines all Israel as Judah4. Balaam delivers God's blessing on all Israel5. Nine rules for reading rings6. Numbers, a ring for meditating on twelveness7. God's presence in his house8. The body/house microcosm in a book9. Uncleanness and taboo draw the lines of the world10. One God, no ancestors in a world renewed