Ritual and rhetoric in Leviticus : from sacrifice to scripture /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Watts, James W. (James Washington), 1960-
Imprint:Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007.
Description:1 online resource (xviii, 257 pages)
Language:English
Subject:
Format: E-Resource Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/11814042
Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:9780511499159
0511499159
9780511296673
0511296673
0511295928
9780511295928
9781107407954
1107407958
9781139132695
1139132695
9780511294358
0511294352
052187193X
9780521871938
9786610959815
6610959811
Notes:Includes bibliographical references and index.
Print version record.
Summary: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.
Other form:Print version: Watts, James W. (James Washington), 1960- Ritual and rhetoric in Leviticus. Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007 9780521871938