R?tribution Et Intercession Dans Le Deut?ronome

In this book on Deuteronomy Vincent Senechal studies the function and the meaning of the Golden Calf episode (Deut. 9-10) for the people of Israel at the time it was written. He offers a good summary of the present state of biblical research on the Pentateuch and investigates the theology of this episode in Deuteronomy through categories such as sin, retribution and intercession. There is little doubt that this work will become a key book for any study of divine justice in the Bible.

Review:

This is an impressive display of exegetical skills in both the synchronic and diachronic arenas. S. respects the limitations of both the textual evidence and his own analyses, and this is reflected in his rather modest or cautious conclusions. Readers will find informative discussions (and judicious assessments) of what is happening in Deuteronomic and pentateuchal study. A wide range of scholarship is included and discussed in considerable detail. There are even handy appendixes that summarize the positions of major contributors. The book contains an index of Scriptural passages and an author index. In: The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 73/2011 Pour ceux qui s'interessent au Dt, son travail offre une synthese reussie de la recherche et un bon outil pour approfondir l'etude de plusieurs textes. Sur le motif de la retribution, l'etude apporte bien des nuances et des precisions indispensables sur la retribution et la justice de Dieu, et sur l'evolution interne de ce debat dans le Dt. Il s'agit d'une amorce constructive et bien utile sur un theme qui emerge dans le Dt et devient central pendant la pediode postexilique. Dany Nocquet in: Etudes Theologiques et Religieuses 1/2012 This is an impressive display of exegetical skills in both the synchronic and diachronic arenas. S. respects the limitations of both the textual evidence and his own analyses, and this is reflected in his rather modest or cautious conclusions. Readers will find informative discussions (and judicious assessments) of what is happening in Deuteronomic and pentateuchal study. A wide range of scholarship is included and discussed in considerable detail. There are even handy appendixes that summarize the positions of major contributors. The book contains an index of Scriptural passages and an author index. In: The Catholic Biblical Quarterly 73/2011