What possible value could the Priestly sections of the Pentateuch have had for Jews living in Exile?
Such provocative titles as this are often the easiest to get into because they suggest the expected answer. In this case it would appear that the Priestly sections of the Pentateuch were of great value for Jews living in Exile. So what are the Priestly sections of the Pentateuch? In this essay I will be basing my answer on Genesis 1-11 and 17, and Leviticus. They are clearly quite different books, and so a different definition of ‘Priestly’ for each book is required. For Genesis, I will be looking at the parts which were composed by the Priestly source P. These are: 1.1 – 2.4a Creation 5.1-32 Adam to Noah 6.9-22 God decides to destroy the wicked world but save the righteous Noah 7.1 – 8.22 The Flood, God’s promise to Noah 9.1-17 God’s covenant with Noah 10.1-32 Nations descended from Noah 11.10-32 Nations descended from Noah (continued) and 17.1-27 God’s covenant with Abraham I will be using most of Leviticus, and will be grouping the chapters together in the following way: 1.1 – 7.38
