Abstract
Incorporating essays presented at the Society of Biblical Literature meetings in New Orleans (2009) and Atlanta (2010), this volume is a contribution to the study of priestly and Levitical traditions in the Hebrew Bible. A diverse range of critical issues is addressed within, ranging from the social locations of priests and Levites in ancient Israel to the dating of the priestly textual traditions.
The essays are divided into three sections. First are four essays on the theme of ‘Priests and Levites in Social Context’. Ada Taggar-Cohen discusses the administrative nature of priestly positions by comparing the Biblical covenant of priesthood with Hittite išḫiul- texts. Susan Ackerman’s paper argues that Shiloh’s status as a regional sanctuary explains the absence of priestly agents in ritual sacrifices, thereby explaining the opportunity for ritual involvement on the part of non-elites, as in the case of Hannah in 1 Sam 1:24. Surveying scholarly perspectives on the Levitical cities lists of Josh 21 and 1 Chr 6, Jeremy M. Hutton suggests these lists should be understood anthropologically as they mark tribal and social boundaries. Sarah Shectman analyses the Pentateuchal laws concerning sex and marriage, mourning, food and offerings, and tithes in order to elucidate the social status of women either born or married into Levitical families.
In the section ‘Priests and Levites in Scriptural Context’, Joel S. Baden traces the connection between the special treatment of Levites and acts of violence, specifically as the theme is presented in the J source in Gen 34, Exod 32, Gen 49 and Deut 33. Cory D. Crawford examines the depictions of the temple and the tabernacle in light of their historical functions in the P source’s audience. Peter Altmann compares sociologically inclined North American and redactionally attuned European approaches to the relationship of Levites and priests in Deuteronomy, especially Deut 18:1-8, and examples of each approach are found in the following two essays. Exploring the relationship between Deut 18:1-8 and the book of Jeremiah, Stephen L. Cook posits that the prophet’s denunciations of the Jerusalem temple roused the ire of his countrymen from Anathoth who were recently re-enfranchised in a Levitical rota system established under Josiah.
The final group of essays is grouped under the heading ‘Priests and Levites in Exegetical Context’. Mark A. Christian’s essay is a redaction-critical study of Neh 8, Lev 17–26, and Deut 16:18–18:22 which explores the relation between the community and the priestly office. Jeffrey Stackert suggests that the Temple Scroll at Qumran innovatively elevates the status of the Levites, though they remain ‘seperate but equal’ from the Aaronide priests to whom they remain subservient. Finally, the concluding essay by Mark Leuchter contends the book of Daniel marks a shift in scribal exegetical authority away from priestly and Levitical circles.
Many books of this kind fall short in terms of overall coherence, but this volume is a focused collection of essays that are cogently gathered together with the goal of suggesting new avenues of research. While innovation does not necessarily result in persuasion, the essays contained herein will contribute to critical discussions among those working in the field.