Henning Graf Reventlow, University of the Ruhr
Canaanite Cultic Law and its Yahwistic Repainting in Leviticus 1-16,
Shown by a Close Reading of the Chapter Leviticus 1

Abstract:

The understanding of the Pentateuch is mostly guided by the pre-supposition that its structure and contents are based on narrative foundations. This view, fails to be convincing in the Book Leviticus. Here narratives are virtually lacking. Instead one meets with rituals and cultic prescriptions. The paper wants to show, with a close reading of Lev 1, that the basis of biblical cultic law is pre-Yahwistic, only superficially repainted by introductions and short additions that add the names of Mose, Aaron with his sons and contain references to YHWH-belief.