Exodus
Edited by
Kåre Berge [+–]
Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo
Kåre Berge is Professor emeritus and guest researcher at the Faculty of Theology, University of Oslo. His studies cover the Pentateuch, especially Genesis, Exodus and Deuteronomy, focusing on cultural memory, politics of identity, didacticism, and symbolization of power-relations. In particular, “Dynamics of Power and the Re-invention of ‘Israel’ in Persian Empire Judah.” Pages 293–321 in Levantine Entanglements. Edited by T. Stordalen and Ø.S. LaBianca. Sheffield: Equinox, 2021; and “Cities in Deuteronomy: Imperial Ideology, Resilience, and the Imagination of Yahwistic Religion.” Pages 77–96 in Deuteronomy in the Making. Edited by D. Edelman, B. Rossi, K. Berge, P. Guillaume. BZAW 533; Berlin: W. de Gruyter, 2021.
Melanie Peetz [+–]
Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen
Prof. Dr. theol. habil. Melanie Peetz is the Chair of the Introduction to Holy Scripture and Exegesis of the Old Testament at the Philosophisch-Theologische Hochschule Sankt Georgen.
Exodus investigates the text from three perspectives: Text and interpretation; Religion; and Society. An introduction written by the editors outlines the position of Exodus in the Pentateuch and discusses key issues related to Exodus in Pentateuchal research, for instance, its connection with the Patriarchal narrative, and questions of its literary sources and traditions. It also clarifies the relevance and function of the volume’s contributions for studies of Exodus.
The narrative of Exodus presents the central “charter myth” of Israel and ancient Judaism, and its ethos. The contributions in this volume address a range of topics related to this central theme. They span from textual criticism (Why do the Samaritans have their own version of Exodus?) to contemporary use of Exodus as metaphor in current media debates. Topics covered by other contributions include: Constructing the past: Exodus and cultural memory; The form and function of the Ten Commandments; The finger of God and the two tablets of stone; Space and holy space in Exodus; Ways of mastering non-humans (animals, monsters, magic) in Exodus; Exodus and emotions; Female agency in the Book of Exodus; The Mishkan as a project of the people and as a counter-model to the Egyptian rulership; Wisdom, teaching, and identity-formation in the Exodus narrative; The elders in Ex 1-24 (a socio-pragmatic perspective). Also included are: Exodus from an ecological perspective; Exodus and Ontology; Moses and Miriam (Ex 15) in patristic and rabbinic interpretations; and Moses in ancient Jewish tradition.
