Buy new:
$28.14
FREE delivery: Thursday, April 25 on orders over $35.00 shipped by Amazon.
Ships from: Amazon.com
Sold by: Amazon.com
List Price: $34.99 Details

The List Price is the suggested retail price of a new product as provided by a manufacturer, supplier, or seller. Except for books, Amazon will display a List Price if the product was purchased by customers on Amazon or offered by other retailers at or above the List Price in at least the past 90 days. List prices may not necessarily reflect the product's prevailing market price.
Learn more
Save: $6.85 (20%)
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Thursday, April 25 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Or fastest delivery Tuesday, April 23. Order within 22 hrs 8 mins
In Stock
$$28.14 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$28.14
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Returns
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Payment
Secure transaction
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
$3.99 delivery April 30 - May 7. Details
Used: Like New | Details
Sold by indoobestsellers
Condition: Used: Like New
Comment: Unread copy in mint condition
Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Amazon book clubs early access
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club? Learn more
Amazon book clubs early access

Join or create book clubs

Choose books together

Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Explore Amazon Book Clubs
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

John H. Sailhamer
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary Paperback – Illustrated, March 3, 1995

by John H. Sailhamer (Author)
4.7 out of 5 stars 227
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$28.14","priceAmount":28.14,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"28","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"14","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"QbFWAe7UwuTlYUmN3h3nXu90Foxx7Nz48bv0%2F1GIqPiQ4lMRarYccmEs65eeQXXiXjRaojZuLwOzmGtbKvAtm3o5WXUKr3o3VwvPgVDLLNDh8yeGJJTu3XX8HC5h5SqepTNPRAwK3L4%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}, {"displayPrice":"$22.96","priceAmount":22.96,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"22","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"96","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"QbFWAe7UwuTlYUmN3h3nXu90Foxx7Nz4piY4jz06D2hU1jTCw8hwYoEI8z8pqBTgXBb9XXvIJOZKVE9djlv1CVmdMt2M5miPYSS0YD%2F%2B7Y7EowhHg70cDKDWrk5Q%2BUPn8Oac9DwIoUNJBMexE%2BYgHI9LKaGtuVR5Yytp7CN5v0R6q2dfcHofCQ%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"USED","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":1}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

Most scholars studying the first five books of the Bible either attempt to dissect it into various pre-pentateuchal documents or, at the very least, analyze Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy as separate, self-contained documents. The Pentateuch As Narrative focuses on the narrative and literary continuity of the Pentateuch as a whole. It seeks to disclose how the original Jewish readers may have viewed this multivolume work of Moses. Its central thesis is that the Pentateuch was written from the perspective of one who had lived under the Law of the Covenant established at Mount Sinai and had seen its failure to produce genuine trust in the Lord God of Israel. In this context, the Pentateuch pointed the reader forward to the hope of the New Covenant, based on divine faithfulness. Throughout the commentary Dr. Sailhamer pays close attention to and interacts with a wide range of classical and contemporary literature on the Pentateuch, written by Jews, Catholics, and Protestants.

Previous page
  1. Print length
    544 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Zondervan Academic
  4. Publication date
    March 3, 1995
  5. Dimensions
    6.14 x 1.29 x 9.2 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    9780310574217
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0310574217
  8. See all details
Next page
Amazon First Reads | Editors' picks at exclusive prices

Frequently bought together

The Pentateuch as Narrative: A Biblical-Theological Commentary
$28.14
Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Ten Commandments: A Guide to the Perfect Law of Liberty (Christian Essentials)
$14.56
Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
How We Got the Bible
$15.64
Get it as soon as Thursday, Apr 25
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Choose items to buy together.

From the brand

Previous page
  2. Systematic Theology, Second Edition: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine
    The New Testament in Its World: An Introduction to the History, Literature, and Theology of the F...
    Grasping God's Word, Fourth Edition: A Hands-On Approach to Reading, Interpreting, and Applying t...
    How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth: Fourth Edition

    Shop Zondervan Academic

    Visit the Store

  3. Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture
    The Knowledge of God in the World and the Word: An Introduction to Classical Apologetics
    Greek for the Rest of Us, Third Edition: Learn Greek to Study the New Testament with Interlinears...
    A History of the Quests for the Historical Jesus, Volume 1: From the Beginnings of Christianity t...

    New Releases

    Visit the Store

  4. Zondervan Academic Logo

    Zondervan Academic serves the needs of Christian scholars, pastors, and students. Since 1931, we have been privileged to partner with the scholarly community to develop Christ-honoring resources in service of the academy and the church worldwide.

    Together we produce works in various areas of biblical-theological studies that exhibit faithfulness to historic Christian faith, cultural relevance, excellence, and innovation.

Next page

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Most scholars studying the first five books of the Bible either attempt to dissect it into various pre-pentateuchal documents or, at the very least, analyze Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy as separate, self-contained documents. The Pentateuch As Narrative focuses on the narrative and literary continuity of the Pentateuch as a whole. It seeks to disclose how the original Jewish readers may have viewed this multivolume work of Moses. Its central thesis is that the Pentateuch was written from the perspective of one who had lived under the Law of the Covenant established at Mount Sinai and had seen its failure to produce genuine trust in the Lord God of Israel. In this context, the Pentateuch pointed the reader forward to the hope of the New Covenant, based on divine faithfulness. Throughout the commentary Dr. Sailhamer pays close attention to and interacts with a wide range of classical and contemporary literature on the Pentateuch, written by Jews, Catholics, and Protestants.

About the Author

John H. Sailhamer is professor of Old Testament at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Brea, California and was formerly senior professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.. His other works include An Introduction to Old Testament Theology and The NIIV Compact Bible Commentary.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0310574218
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Zondervan Academic; Illustrated edition (March 3, 1995)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 544 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780310574217
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0310574217
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.34 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.14 x 1.29 x 9.2 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 227

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
John H. Sailhamer

John H. Sailhamer

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

John H. Sailhamer is professor of Old Testament at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Brea, California and was formerly senior professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His other works include An Introduction to Old Testament Theology and The NIIV Compact Bible Commentary.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
227 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Ellen Smyth
5.0 out of 5 stars Spirit-filled Scholarship: What a Refreshing Change!
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2024
Verified Purchase
Normally, there exists this inverse relationship between a man's scholarship of the Word and his faith in the Word. Ironically. Unfortunately. Just as the scribes and the Pharisees, the scholars of their day, had lost their faith through their studies in the scriptures, so go today's scholars. Something in studying the doctrines of men *about* the Word of God (rather than studying the doctrines of God as found directly *in* the Word of God) pollutes the truth and erodes our faith.

For that reason, it is an absolute joy and delight when I find scholars who understand the Word not by their own might nor by their own power but by His Spirit! The Pentateuch patterns revealed in this work are a work of art straight from the Spirit, so illuminating, so edifying, and so helpful for truly understanding the Word of God, bringing relevance and excitement to the otherwise tedious law. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Helpful
 Report
S. smith
5.0 out of 5 stars Good commentary
Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
I'm not reading this cover to cover but as a commentary. We're reading through the Bible as a church this year and I kept having questions in the first 5 books (in Numbers now for a few more days) and it's helped me. I'm not a theology major so I don't know if he's 'right' or not but I think what he says makes sense. My copy arrived when we were already in Numbers and the sections aren't equally divided. There's an introduction that takes up about 20% of the book- Numbers was in the last 1/4 I think. It's a thick book but still I want to go back and look up stuff from Genesis and Exodus since I think those 2 got the most attention.

I don't have any other commentaries to compare this to other than study notes in various study Bibles. I've been using this as well as the commentary notes in the Nelsom Complete Study System Bible (out of print but probably the same notes are in their current study Bible) and most questions have a satisfactory answer between one or both.
5 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
D. Beirne
5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting concept
Reviewed in the United States on October 16, 2011
Verified Purchase
Sailhammer's premise is: what if instead of five separate books, the Pentateuch (Genesis-Deuteronomy) were more along the lines of one long continuous multi-volume work? In other words, literary clues and devises that are happening in Genesis are revisited in the other books. Kind of like how Isaac and Abraham's lives have some parallels, Sailhammer sees many of these and they are interesting. Sailhammer believes his thesis answers the concerns of higher criticism and esp. the source documentary people (JEDP believers; if you are not familiar with JEDP, you may want to set this book aside until you have some background in OT issues). In other words, what higher criticism sees as multiple sources/authorship, Sailhammer sees as purposeful structuring by the final author of the Pentateuch. I've seen a very critical review of this book on someone's blog, but for my purposes I didn't come away feeling the same way. The strength of this book is the introductory section as it raises the issues I mention above. The rest of the book is like a mini-commentary on all Gen-Deut; while there is much of interest in the commentary, much of it is too short (due to the breadth of the topic)to dig very deeply. However, the commentary does make for nice springboards into exploring and pondering the issues raised.
18 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Jack
5.0 out of 5 stars Eureka!
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2006
Verified Purchase
This book is wonderful! Dr. Sailhamer really gets to the heart of what's important about the Torah - what the author is trying to tell us! His study focuses on how/why the author put the Torah (one continuous "book") together as he did and what the reader is supposed to get from it.

He shows how God's addition of laws over time follows instances of disobedience (kinda like the way we add rules for our kids when they act up and remove rules as they show they can handle more responsibility). He shows how the narrative (while simultaneously about events that really happened) foreshadow the future. He explains how the poetry is divine commentary on the narratives. Etc. Dr. Sailhamer brings the Torah to life!

FYI. A Messianic Jewish friend of mine moved from Israel to Raleigh, NC just so he could study under (renowned Christian Hebrew scholar) Dr. Sailhamer at Southeastern Seminary. He's been thrilled with what he's learned. Dr. Sailhamer is brilliant, but knows how to teach.
33 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
James
5.0 out of 5 stars Good addition to your library
Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2022
Verified Purchase
This book gives additional information for Christians.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Paul Morss
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Detailed!
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2019
Verified Purchase
I fell in love with this book in the first few pages. I loved the connections and how deep the work went. However, I feel like after Exodus, much of the writing dropped off. I understand that there is less narrative after Exodus, but there were some important things that Sailhammer seemed to gloss over. Overall, I am so so happy I read this book. It has definitely changed the way I view OT writings.
8 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Rodney J. Hudson
5.0 out of 5 stars A Must Read
Reviewed in the United States on May 16, 2010
Verified Purchase
I am still reading this book and it is very interesting how the author brings each book of the pentateuch together as a complete work to show their and brings out the central theme. Most of us view Genesis through Deuteronomy as separate books instead of one complete book as the bible does. It is amazing to see how God works to unfold his plan even in the face of evil, human behavior. Joseph mistreatment by his brothers actually was an advantage to God's plan rather than a hindrance. Even the small details of God can have an impact on your faith. This book is helpful to my understanding of the scripture. I am enjoying it. Make this one apart of your library. The Pentateuch As Narrative is easy to read and explanatory.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
Andrea
5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Go-To Biblical Commentary
Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2022
Verified Purchase
Profound. Great depth. Rich references.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

VALERIE P.
5.0 out of 5 stars WOW
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
EXCELLENT
Report
Dr. David G Sloss
4.0 out of 5 stars Much needed for our day when it is so easy to treat Scripture as fragmented pieces put together over ...
Reviewed in Canada on July 30, 2018
Verified Purchase
A veteran of Biblical Studies brings his years of insight, study, perspective on one of the most debated sections of Scripture! Thank you for presenting an insight which pulls the whole of the text together as a unity rather than five individual books. This thesis develops a continuity and perspective which ties the authorial intent being a significant factor in the compilation. The introduction is highly valuable even though it is quite lengthy. It establishes the tone for the remainder of the thesis development. Much needed for our day when it is so easy to treat Scripture as fragmented pieces put together over time. Thank you Dr. Sailhammer!
One person found this helpful
 Report
Laymin
4.0 out of 5 stars Acedemic but worthy
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 17, 2013
Verified Purchase
A good mostly well argued review of the whys and wherefores. Not an easy read unless you are fairly acedemically inclined. And I had never heard of his definition of the 10 commandments. Seemed very odd to me.

And as a non linguist I found the use of footnotes not in English profoundly irritating and unhelpful.
One person found this helpful
 Report