Leviticus as Literature by Mary Douglas
This first full-scale account of Leviticus by a world-renowned anthropologist presents the biblical work as a literary masterpiece. Seen in an anthropological perspective Leviticus has a mystical structure which plots the book into three parts corresponding to the three parts of the desert tabernacle, which in turn corresponds to the parts of Mount Sinai. This completely new reading transforms the interpretation of the purity laws. The pig and other forbidden animals are not abhorrent, they command the same respect due to all God's creatures. Boldly challenging several traditions of Bible criticism, Mary Douglas claims that Leviticus is not the narrow doctrine of a crabbed professional priesthood but a powerful intellectual statement about a religion which emphasizes God's justice and compassion.
the great anthropologist Mary Douglas's surprising rereading of a very old text,Leviticus as Literature makes a discarded classic zing with new life* Valentine Cunningham, The Independent, 2000 *
Mary Douglas is also the author of In the Wilderness, the Doctrine of Defilement in the Book of Numbers (1993).
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780199244195 |
| ISBN 10 | 0199244197 |
| Title | Leviticus as Literature |
| Author | Mary Douglas |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Paperback |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
| Year published | 2001-03-08 |
| Number of pages | 304 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |