New Books Network David Arnovitz, "Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel: Deuteronomy" (Koren, 2025)
Dec 23, 2025
David Arnovitz, Editor-in-Chief of The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel series and a scholar in Near Eastern studies, sheds light on the latest volume focused on Deuteronomy. He discusses how this volume connects biblical narratives to modern archaeology and reveals Deuteronomy's structure as akin to ancient vassal treaties. Explore the distinctions between Torah law and Babylonian codes, and gain insights into the project's broader vision, including future volumes that aim to enrich our understanding of the scriptures.
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Context Unlocks Biblical Meaning
- The Koren Tanakh of the Land of Israel integrates modern archaeology and linguistics to illuminate the Bible's historical context.
- David Arnovitz argues this context unlocks new understanding of the Tanakh's messages and innovations.
Rashi's Geography Mistake
- Rashi's medieval map mistakenly placed Egypt due south of Israel, revealing the limitations of pre-modern commentators.
- David Arnovitz uses this to show why modern geographic and archaeological knowledge matters for interpretation.
Deuteronomy As Moses' Treaty Speech
- Deuteronomy is structured as Moses' speeches and differs stylistically from the prior books, suggesting later composition.
- The book functions as a covenantal recap, law restatement, and guidance before Israel enters the land.