Embedded within the Bible lies a largely unknown story of the founding of early Israel and its religion, interwoven with tales documenting the creation of the Torah. Known as the Priestly Source, the complete text has not appeared on its own in either Hebrew or English—until now. This edition contains for the first time the full biblical Hebrew along with a new translation, annotated to guide readers through the text. This translation by Liane M. Feldman, an authority on the text, reveals the mythical foundation for the practice of sacrifice in ancient Israelite and Jewish religion. Beginning with the creation of the world and ending at the edge of the Promised Land, the Priestly Source offers a distinctive account from over two thousand years ago of the origins of the people of Israel and a unique perspective on their relationship with their god, Yahweh—one in stark contrast to what is found when we read the Bible now.
The Consuming Fire, Hebrew Edition The Complete Priestly Source, from Creation to the Promised Land
About the Book
Reviews
“This book will challenge and delight anyone interested in ancient Israel and the Bible. Thanks to its accessible and engaging introduction and its thoughtful translation, it will also be an essential tool for teaching.”—Annette Yoshiko Reed, author of Jewish-Christianity and the History of Judaism"Liane Feldman has provided students and scholars with a valuable resource for critically evaluating the Priestly Source. This volume will empower readers to draw their own conclusions."—Yitzhaq Feder, author of Purity and Pollution in the Hebrew Bible
"Feldman makes accessible a work of ancient Israelite literature that has been hiding in plain sight–one of the most important voices from the Bible, now available to everyone in all its literary and theological beauty. This book is a masterful piece of scholarship."—Joel Baden, Professor of Hebrew Bible, Yale University
Table of Contents
Contents
List of Illustrations
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
HEBREEW
1. Creation and the Flood
2. The Era of the Patriarchs
3. The Descent to Egypt
4. At Mount Sinai
5. Building Yahweh’s Dwelling
6. The Eight-Day Inauguration of Yahweh’s Dwelling Place
7. Leaving Mount Sinai
Appendix: Possible Materials from the Priestly
Narrative in the Book of Joshua
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
Translator’s Note
1. Creation and the Flood
2. The Era of the Patriarchs
3. The Descent to Egypt
4. At Mount Sinai
5. Building Yahweh’s Dwelling
6. The Eight-Day Inauguration of Yahweh’s Dwelling Place
7. Leaving Mount Sinai
Appendix: Possible Materials from the Priestly
Narrative in the Book of Joshua
Selected Bibliography
About the Author
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