The Pentateuch An Introduction to the First Five Books of the Bible Joseph Blenkinsopp

"The Pentateuch" (its Greek name, but also known as the Torah by the Hebrews) consists of the first five books of the Bible: "Genesis", "Exodus", "Leviticus", "Numbers", and "Deuteronomy". From Adam and Eve in the Garden, to Noah's Ark, to Moses' parting of the Red Sea, to its conclusion with the death of Moses, the "Pentateuch" contains some of the most important and memorable stories in Western civilization. In this richly detailed work, which has become a standard in the field, renowned biblical scholar Joseph Blenkinsopp unravels (as Harold Bloom did in "The Book of J") the radical scholarly opinions on just where these ancient and powerful stories come from, how they were formed, and what significance they have today. In the classroom, when professors cover these books of Moses, they turn to Dr. Blenkinsopp's classic for reliable, accessible discussions of all the important details.

Joseph Blenkinsopp is the O'Brien Professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Notre Dame. Educated at the University of London and Oxford, Blenkinsopp is a past president of the Catholic Biblical Association. He has received the National Religious Book Award for his highly acclaimed Prophecy and Canon. He is currently working on a two-volume set on Isaiah for the Anchor Bible Commentary series. He lives in South Bend, Indiana.

"All mature students of the Bible--scholarly and lay, Jewish, Christian, and secular alike--can profit richly from his learned and elegant discussion."--Jon D. Levenson, Harvard University School of Divinity
"It is clearly the best single introduction currently available on the Pentateuch."--Douglas A. Knight, Vanderbilt University School of Divinity
"I know of no other book on the subject that is so eminently commendable for the range of information it contains, its readability, and the soundness and good sense of its judgments. It deserves the widest possible attention."--R. E. Clements, King's College, University of London