Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This work traces the development of Judaism as a Scriptural religion, claiming that this did not arise from discrete moments of "political" authority (e.g., Sinai, Josiah, Ezra), but was part of a complex and multifarious negotiation involving writing, literacy, orality and the socio-political power of the Persian, Greek and Roman empires.
Synopsis
This work traces the development of Judaism as a Scriptural religion, claiming that this did not arise from discrete moments of "political" authority (e.g., Sinai, Josiah, Ezra), but was part of a complex and multifarious negotiation involving writing, literacy, orality and the socio-political power of the Persian, Greek and Roman empires.
About the Author
Donald C. Polaski teaches in the Department of Religious Studies at The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA.
Table of Contents
Introduction - Writing, Orality, Power and Empire: A Model
Section One - Prophets, Moses and Deuteronomists: Learning to Write
The Written Prophets: Setting the Record Straight
Deuteronomy and Moses (an expansion of my article from Postmodern Interpretations of the Bible)
Josiah, Joshua and Imperial Textuality (a revision of my article from Semeia Studies)
Section Two - Inscribing Yehud
The Prophets Learn to Write (Ezekiel, Zechariah, Malachi)
Nehemiah: Subject of the Empire (a revision of my paper delivered at 2004 SBL)
Ezra: The Discipline of Letters
Section Three - Engraved Invitations: Writing at the Table of the Powerful
Esther: A Writing Carnival?
The Letter of Aristeas: A Hellenistic Writing Symposium
Writing and Resistance in Daniel 1-6 (an expansion of my JBL paper)
Section Four - Writing and the Sectarian