The Biblical Mind
The Torah Is Not a Law Book (Jerry Unterman)
Jan 14, 2022
The podcast discusses the unique nature of the Torah as a treaty rather than a law book, exploring its combination of narrative, law, and ritual. It compares the Torah to other ancient Near East law codes, highlighting the direct address form and divine origin of the Torah. The podcast also explores the limited access to ancient laws and the distinct characteristics of the legal code in the Torah, emphasizing its elevation of morality and purpose in encouraging faithfulness to God.
33:40
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Quick takeaways
- The Torah is a covenant treaty between God and His people, embedded in a narrative.
- The Torah focuses on human responsibilities, instilling faithfulness, kindness, justice, and care for others.
Deep dives
Torah and the Ancient Near East
The Torah enters a world of established civilizations in the ancient Near East, such as Sumer, Egypt, and the Hittites. Unlike other ancient law collections, the Torah combines laws with narratives, poetry, and prophecy. It covers a wide range of topics, including ritual laws and instructions on building the sanctuary. Unique to the Torah is the direct address of God to the Israelites, who are given laws and responsibilities from God himself. The Torah surpasses other ancient law codes in its incorporation of morality, care for the less fortunate, and the concept of creating a just society.
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