Plato and the Creation of the Hebrew Bible for the first time compares the ancient law collections of the Ancient Near East; the Greeks and the Pentateuch to determine the legal antecedents for the biblical laws. Following on from his 2006 work; Berossus and Genesis; Manetho and Exodus; Gmirkin takes up his theory that the Pentateuch was written around 270 BCE using Greek sources found at the Great Library of Alexandria; and applies this to an examination of the biblical law codes. A striking number of legal parallels are found between the Pentateuch and Athenian laws; and specifically with those found in Plato's Laws of ca. 350 BCE. Constitutional features in biblical law; Athenian law; and Plato's Laws also contain close correspondences. Several genres of biblical law; including the Decalogue; are shown to have striking parallels with Greek legal collections; and the synthesis of narrative and legal content is shown to be compatible with Greek literature. All this evidence points to direct influence from Greek writings; especially Plato's Laws; on the biblical legal tradition. Finally; it is argued that the creation of the Hebrew Bible took place according to the program found in Plato's Laws for creating a legally authorized national ethical literature; reinforcing the importance of this specific Greek text to the authors of the Torah and Hebrew Bible in the early Hellenistic Era. This study offers a fascinating analysis of the background to the Pentateuch; and will be of interest not only to biblical scholars; but also to students of Plato; ancient law; and Hellenistic literary traditions.
#335758 in Books Cathryn J Prince 2014-08-05 2014-08-05Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 228.60 x 14.83 x 6.00l; .0 #File Name: 1137279192256 pagesDeath in the Baltic The World War II Sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. There is a family connection to this historic story so ...By Barbara J. RinasThere is a family connection to this historic story so it was a very personal read. My late husbands family lived in East Prussia and lost everything to the Russians. His uncle was seriously injured and was supposed to get on this ship but was not physically able to so he escaped an early death by not getting on the ship. It is a gripping true story.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. What has happened to editors?By new york johnA good story in search of an editor! I really wanted to enjoy this book but through the first half I began to see statements repeated - often word for word - two or three pages apart. This was so distracting that I found myself losing interest. The story of the terrible disaster deserves to be told and perhaps it will be if an editor is found to work with an author. Sorry - I was really hoping to learn more than I did.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. True and terrifying.By Clairellen A. McLaughlinThis is an absorbing tale of a true story that has been hidden by history. Knowing the politics of war; it is understandable; but the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff caused a great loss of life; more than the Titanic certainly. History buffs will enjoy it; and some will be shocked. I have friends who are survivors of this tragedy; and it is a true tale of the tragedy.
