5. Studies on Specific Books I. Pentateuch(Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

On completion, this will be the largest critical commentary published in English. The extensive introduction covers standard critical issues, while paying particular attention to the theology and the themes of the book. A. expresses scepticism at the idea of authorship and emphasizes the role of scribes in transcribing and updating, as well as composing something new. He traces the development of Deuteronomy from an early legal text through to a significant engagement with Assyrian imperialism in the 8th and 7th centuries Bce. He regards Deut. 1–3 as a rewriting of earlier Pentateuchal traditions and an introduction to the rest of the book, rather than the first part of the Deuteronomistic History. The exilic and post-exilic periods play little role, and in the commentary key texts and themes are sometimes traced back to Moses and early tradition. The commentary is full and wide-ranging, including substantial text-critical notes, incisive discussions of syntactical issues, and four brief excurses (the Ten Commandments, the Sabbath, the central idea of the Shema, the Shema and the greatest commandment). The large number of footnotes treat more technical questions and bear witness to wide reading. A. emphasizes the literary and theological value of the book, with occasional references to its significance for Christians. He adopts a positive attitude in the morally problematic sections. It is frustrating that the initial bibliography listing is not comprehensive, although works can be tracked down in the author index. Overall, this is an outstanding commentary and deserves to be in every institutional and personal library. philip JenSon