Leviticus As Literature by Mary Douglas (PDF)

Description

This first full-scale account of Leviticus by a world renowned anthropologist presents the biblical work as a literary masterpiece. Seen in an anthropological perspective Leviticus has a mystical structure which plots the book into three parts corresponding to the three parts of the desert tabernacle, both corresponding to the parts of Mount Sinai. This completely new reading transforms the interpretation of the purity laws. The pig and other forbidden animals are not abhorrent, they command the same respect due to all God’s creatures. Boldly challenging several traditions of Bible criticism, Mary Douglas claims that Leviticus is not the narrow doctrine of a crabbed professional priesthood but a powerful intellectual statement about a modern religion which emphasizes God’s justice and compassion.

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐The great anthropologist Mary Barker tackles one of the most opaque books in the Old Testament, and delivers a tour-de-force. First, she exposes the distinctions between the our modern modes of thought and those of the author. Then she gradually explains how the ancients thought, and especially their analogical modes of thought. Then she begins to explain the various analogies between the events at Mount Sinai, the arrangement of the temple, and the sacrificial system. The symbolic logic of the system begins to make sense, as do the rules for keeping kosher. Every biblical scholar should read this book.

⭐Very interesting book. Worth the read. I have used it several times to cite for papers.

⭐Reading Leviticus with Mary Douglas was a pleasure. She offers an unique perspective of Leviticus through a feminists, anthropological reading that has many insights for those with eyes to see.

⭐This book really helped me see Leviticus as alive and also as narrative rather than just legal material. It helps frame Leviticus in way that makes it deeply human

⭐This book opened up my understanding of Leviticus using the pattern of the tabernacle. Along with Jacob Milgrom’s commentary on Leviticus, this is the first time I grasped many concepts in this book of the Torah. Highly recommend.

⭐Very thought provoking. Many valuable insights.

⭐Needed for my daughter’s school. Nothing more to contribute.

⭐I have never been more disappointed with anything I have ever bought. I am sure Mary Douglas is brilliant; However I could not follow her circular logic. I only have nine years of education after high school; however I feel I would need at least five more years of old testament courses to understand this book.

⭐This is a different sort of theology book, written by an anthropologist, which gives interesting and useful insight into the book of Leviticus.

⭐An anthropologists perspective that is very helpful for theologians

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