Exodus Chapter 20 to Deuteronomy: mix of history and legal teaching, mostly by P (to end of Numbers) and D (Deuteronomy) Ten Commandments a.k.a. Decalogue (Ex. 20: 1-17) 1-4 concerning worship of God 5-10 concerning life in human community (approx. division)
Decalogue How many gods are there? Power of idols? Power of names? Rationale clearly stated Parent-child relationship as analogy Only God has right to take life Violation of unity of marriage threat to purity of line 10. Includes actions to fulfill desire 7-10 are crimes against persons
Rest of Pentateuch elaborating on rules Laws in Ex. 20: 18-23: 33 = Covenant Code/ Book of Covenant Apodictic ordinances (“thou shalt not”) Casuistic ordinances (“if this, then this”)
Mesopotamian parallels: Law code from Eshnunna (c. 2000 BC): “If an ox gores another ox and causes its death, both owners shall divide among themselves the price of the live ox and also the equivalent of the dead ox” Recalls Ex. 21: 35
Generally, in HB, penalties for crimes of property are milder than Mesopotamian penalties, while penalties for crimes against persons are harsher: Law code of Hammurabi, 195: “If a son strike his father, his hands shall be hewn off.” Ex. 21: 15: “Whoever strikes father or mother shall be put to death.”
Treatment of slaves/resident aliens (e.g. Lev. 19: 33-34; Deut. 15: 15) Compassion for weak and defenseless (e.g. Ex. 22: 21) Prohibition of usury (e.g. Ex. 22: 25-27) Injunctions to aid poor (e.g Lev. 25: 35-38) Aid enemies in times of trouble (Ex. 23: 4-5)
Deuteronomy Mix of rules and exhortations to faithfulness to covenant, in form of Mosaic speeches Synthesis of earlier rules, prob. from N. Israel, reworked during reign of Hezekiah (c. 715- 687 BC); or from Judah, originating in Jerusalem or among rural Judean Levites Used by Josiah of Judah (r. 640-609) BC as basis for reforms of 622 BC. Later finalised in c. 550 BC
Deuteronomy Demonstrates impact of creation at time of threats to Judah and Babylonian exile, esp. in stern admonitions to faithfulness to covenant Rules dealing with warfare (Deut. 20: 1-20)