Peter Lang Gmbh, Internationaler Verlag Der Wissenschaften The Origins of Deuteronomy 32: Intertextuality, Memory, Identity

The remarkable poem in Deut 32:1-43 is a triple conclusion to the life of Moses, to Deuteronomy and to the Pentateuch/Torah. In content and style, it is an encapsulation of history, prophecy, and wisdom, of a poetic quality hard to surpass. The song was supposed to be learned by heart, was given its own scroll in Qumran, and was, as far as we know, the first Hebrew text to be written colographically. Yet, the poem is shrouded in vagueness and ambiguity, and scholars have pondered its origins, function, meaning, and message. The Origins of Deuteronomy 32: Intertextuality, Memory, Identity plunges into the debate. Extensive theoretical discussions form the foundations for an analysis of similarities and dissimilarities between Deut 32 and other texts from many different perspectives. This indicates a close relationship to the Persian period edition of the Book of Isaiah. In light of a reconstruction of Yehud, theories of social memory and social identity formation are employed in a discussion on the functions of Deuteronomy and the Book of Isaiah, yielding results for our understanding of Deut 32. The origins and textual relationships are considered in light of newer insights on scribes working together. This radically changes the framework within which we must see the origins of Deut 32 (or any text) and its textual relationships. With its combination of theoretical expositions and applications to the text, this book will be useful for both scholar and student. Review "It is to Tina Dykesteen Nilsen's merit that she combines traditional exegetical methods with recent theories on memory and identity. By crossing these borders she argues that a scribal group who employed characteristics of Isaiah 56-66 wrote the 'Song of Moses' (Deut 32) between 530 and 450 BCE. It was inserted into Deuteronomy to form group identity by strengthening the memories of Moses, of key events in the group's history, and of the law." -- Dr. Karl William Weyde, Professor, Old Testament Department, MF Norwegian School of Theology, Oslo"What makes The Origins of Deuteronomy 32: Intertextuality, Memory, Identity unique is its combination of three perspectives in recent scholarship: studies of memory, identity formation, and production of written texts. It is especially the latter that gives this book its impetus. By regarding texts not as oral traditions but as scribal products, the book argues that texts--not only phrases and oral traditions--would cross boundaries between scribal schools working in Persian period Jerusalem. Applied to Deuteronomy 32, this is a genuine renewal of old 'literary' positions." --Kåre Berge, Professor of Old Testament at NLA University College, Bergen About the Author Tina Dykesteen Nilsen is Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at VID Specialized University, Stavanger. She earned her Ph.D. from the School of Mission and Theology (now VID). She holds the Licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Commission, and has studied in Dublin and Jerusalem.