Ethnic Myths and Pentateuchal Foundations: A New Approach to the Formation of the Pentateuch

Proposes a new interpretive model that views the section of the Old Testament as documenting the foundation of a distinct ethnic and religious group. Argues that it was composed in Judah during the Persian period in response to threats to the community resulting from foreign domination. The emphasis is on the function of the texts; avoids the much debated problems of historicity. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.