Berossus and Genesis, Manetho and Exodus by Russell Gmirkin

Berossus and Genesis, Manetho and Exodus by Russell Gmirkin

Berossus and Genesis, Manetho and Exodus proposes a provocative new theory regarding the date and circumstances of the composition of the Pentateuch. Gmirkin argues that the Hebrew Pentateuch was composed in its entirety about 273-272 BCE by Jewish scholars at Alexandria that later traditions credited with the Septuagint translation of the Pentateuch into Greek. The primary evidence is literary dependence of Gen. 1-11 on Berossus' Babyloniaca (278 BCE) and of the Exodus story on Manetho's Aegyptiaca (c. 285-280 BCE), and the geo-political data contained in the Table of Nations. A number of indications point to a provenance of Alexandria, Egypt for at least some portions of the Pentateuch. That the Pentateuch, drawing on literary sources found at the Great Library of Alexandria, was composed at almost the same date as the Septuagint translation, provides compelling evidence for some level of communication and collaboration between the authors of the Pentateuch and the Septuagint scholars at Alexandria's Museum. The late date of the Pentateuch, as demonstrated by literary dependence on Berossus and Manetho, has two important consequences: the definitive overthrow of the chronological framework of the Documentary Hypothesis, and a late, 3rd century BCE date for major portions of the Hebrew Bible which show literary dependence on the Pentateuch.

Reviewed in International Review of Biblical Studies, 2007
Contributor Russell E. Gmirkin's essay "The Rivers of Eden" reviewed in International Review of Biblical Studies, 2007.
"[Berossus and Genesis, Manetho and Exodus] has a bold thesis and detailed argumentation...this volume is an intriguing read because it challenges us at every turn to think about source-critical questions and to ask about the direction of literary dependence." -Journal of Hebrew Scriptures -- Joyce Rilett Wood
"this is a detailed study and a good example of thinking outside the box" Theological Book Review  Vol. 19 No. 1 2007

Russell Gmirkin is a writer, researcher, and Dead Sea Scrolls scholar living in Portland, Oregon.

SKU	Unavailable
ISBN 13	9780567025920
ISBN 10	0567025926
Title	Berossus and Genesis, Manetho and Exodus
Author	Russell Gmirkin
Series	The Library Of Hebrew Bible Old Testament Studies
Condition	Unavailable
Binding Type	Hardback
Publisher	Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Year published	2006-07-15
Number of pages	344
Cover note	Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.