Deuteronomy (2002): A Commentary (Old Testament Library)

Deuteronomy (2002): A Commentary (Old Testament Library)

This commentary on Deuteronomy,now available in a new caseboundedition, meets and exceeds the highstandards of the Old Testament Libraryseries. It provides one of the mostsophisticated explanations of thecompositional process that producedDeuteronomy, presenting that processas a combination of large-scaleredactional activity and "micro-redaction." The commentary is alsoattentive to the historical backgroundof Deuteronomy's origins in the reignsof Manasseh and Josiah. The freshtranslation that heads each section isfollowed by insightful linguisticcomments that highlight Deuteronomy'sfamous homiletical and didactic style.The literary and rhetorical features ofthe final form of Deuteronomy areeverywhere present, and Nelsonmakes a compelling presentation oftheir incessant claim on the reader, aclaim that effectively urges the readertoward an appropriate response. Whatemerges most clearly from theseelements of Nelson's commentary is acritical but sympathetic portrait ofDeuteronomy's distinctive theology: itsidealistic call for reform, its demand forthe centralization of sacrifice, itsdemand for the eradication of rivalreligions, its stress on Yahweh'selection of Israel and Israel's covenantduty, and its confrontation of everyserious reader with a moment ofexistential decision.About the AuthorRichard D. Nelson is Professor Emeritus ofBiblical Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation at PerkinsSchool of Theology, Southern Methodist University. He is apastor with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America andthe author of several books, including Joshua: ACommentary in the Old Testament Library series andFirst and Second Kings in the Interpretation series.