The Laws of Yahweh: A Handbook of Biblical Law

Rating:
Summary: Simultaneously helpful & disappointing
Review: This book is helpful in that it is well-organized, systematic, easy-to-read and chock full of lists (39pp) [which the author calls "indexes"] and 27 charts. At the same time, it's a disappointment in that it is based totally on the JEPD theory understanding of the OT's development and so, dismisses outright much of the OT as unhistorical. Example: "The references to the reading of the law by Josiah and Ezra are historical. The references to Moses and Joshua are theological projections into Israel's re-created past." (p.134)

I bought this book to use as a resource as I taught a Bible class series on the commands of the OT Law. The lists ("indexes") and some quotes (statistics, etc.) have been a real aid, but I'm still searching for a listing of the OT Law that: (a) groups the laws by subject/topic (worship, justice, the land, etc.), not by Biblical book or supposed "authors" (JEPD) and (b) takes the historical record of the Bible seriously.

Rating:
Summary: A helpful primer on Hebrew law
Review: I liked this book because it really helped to get me up-to-speed on the location and contents of the major legal collections in the Pentateuch. Though some of Doorly's biases come through, he presents a mostly balanced approach to different issues that arise with studies of the Pentateuch's legal collections. It is a quick read because, as the subtitle says, the book is actually a "handbook". It contains many helpful charts and lists, including a list of 613 laws of rabbinical tradition that is very valuable. The chapter on the administration of justice in ancient Israel provides a great resource when reading the history books in the Bible. This handbook is a quick reference guide if you are studying Ancient Near East or Hebrew laws or are just interested in learning more about them.