Punishment and Forgiveness in Israel's Migratory Campaign

Abstract

and Forgiveness in Israel's Migratory Campaign, by Won W. Lee. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2003. Pp. xv + 308. $45.00 (paper). ISBN 0802809928. Although never explicitly noted, this book is revision of Lee's 1998 dissertation under Rolf Knierim at Claremont Graduate University, entitled Punishment and Forgiveness in Israel's Migratory Campaign: The Macrostructure of Numbers It is the kind of dissertation that makes splendid book, with its sustained argumentation, focus on interpretation of large portion of in the biblical corpus, and limited (but careful) review of past scholarship. Citing the majority opinion that Num 1:1-10:10 is distinct and coherent unit, Lee has as his goal provide structural analysis of the latter part of the book: Num 10:11-36:13. Although sensitive the vast body of literature (especially commentaries) on the book of Numbers, Lee focuses his literature review on the earlier works of George B. Gray, Martin Noth, Philip J. Budd, Dennis T. Olson, Jacob Milgrom, and Timothy R. Ashley, six key figures in the recent history of the interpretation of the book of Numbers. Lee focuses on their analyses and conclusions about the unifying concept and overall structure of 10:11-36:13. For each of issues (concept, structure) Lee identifies two basic streams of scholarship. With regard the unifying concept of this section of Numbers, Lee identifies one stream that denies any significant unifying concept (Gray, Noth) and second that finds well-ordered and coherent concept, whether that is God's enduring commitment the Israelites despite setbacks (Budd), the transition from one generation the next (Olson, Milgrom), or movement from orientation disorientation new orientation (Ashley). He notes an important contrast in starting points between two streams: Gray and Noth start their analyses with past scholarship on the Pentateuch as whole, while Budd, Olson, Milgrom, and Ashley begin their analyses with Numbers itself. As for the overall structure, Lee notes the lack of agreement between the six scholars either on the macro- or microstructure of Num 10:11-36:13. Again two basic streams may be discerned: those who choose geographical and/or chronological signals as key the structure (Gray, Budd), and those who choose thematic criteria, such as Noth's combination of the traditions of Sinai revelation, guidance in the wilderness, preparation/beginning of conquest; Olson's focus on the death of the old and birth of the new; Milgrom's mix of Noth and Olson; or Ashley's focus on obedience from orientation through disorientation new orientation. Although affirming many aspects of this earlier scholarship, Lee is dissatisfied with their analyses and conclusions and attributes this methodological deficiencies, especially the error of reading rather than close reading of the as well as lack of attention compelling literary evidence. According Lee, these scholars' structures portray their tendency start with the assumption of certain kind of thematic reality that in turn determines the literary analysis of the and, as result, impose their themes on the without considering the generic and functional individuality of each component unit within whole. This prompts him propose a systematic discussion of the structure of Numbers 10:11-36:13, which accounts for the generative inexplicit conceptualities underneath the text (p. 46). Lee's goal, then, is to reconstruct the system of Numbers 10:11-36:13 at its highest level, that is, the macrostructure of the text, system provided by the itself, which is located underneath its (infratextual; p. 47). The way access this infratextual dimension, according Lee, is through conceptual analysis, methodology that he draws largely from Rolf Knierim. This approach focuses on information gained from both the surface as well as the subsurface level of the in order reconstruct the infratextual dimension. …