Abstract
Let me start with the obvious: The society to which the Pentateuchal texts refer consisted of a small group of “intellectual” elites that mastered the art of writing and reading, and a vast major- ity of illiterate people. Some scholars estimate literacy to cover no more than five percent of the population. This may have changed in Hellenistic times, but it applies to the whole period of the evolu- tion of Deuteronomy, which stretches from late pre-exilic times through the exilic and possibly into the early Persian time.
Highlights
IS THERE A DIDACTIC PROGRAM INLet me start with the obvious: The society to which the Pentateuchal texts refer consisted of a small group of “intellectual”elites that mastered the art of writing and reading, and a vast majority of illiterate people
1 This may have changed in Hellenistic times, but it applies to the whole period of the evolution of Deuteronomy, which stretches from late pre-exilic times through the exilic and possibly into the early Persian time. 2
That this is a reasonable analysis of Deuteronomy appears from the fact that the book is no eschatological book like the “classical” prophets; it draws a plausible picture of the future as something that can come to pass when they enter the borders of the land; all the institutions and laws are given for the life in the land, Gordin, Tilley, and Prakash, Utopia/Dystopia, 6
Summary
Articles in JHS are being indexed in the ATLA Religion Database, RAMBI, and BiBIL. Their abstracts appear in Religious and Theological. The journal is archived by Library and Archives Canada and is accessible for consultation and research at the Electronic Collection site maintained by Library and Archives Canada.
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