The Signs Of Sin: Seriousness Of Offence In Biblical Law (jsot Supplement)

JOURNAL FOR THE STUDY OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SUPPLEMENT SERIES 364 Editors David J.A. Clines Philip R, Davies Executive Editor Andrew Mein Editorial Board Richard J, Coggins, Alan Cooper, J. Cheryl Exum, John Goldingay, Robert P. Gordon, Norman K, Gottwald, John Jarick, Andrew D.H. Mayes, Carol Meyers, Patrick D. Miller Sheffield Academic Press A Continuum imprint The Shekhinah Departs The Signs of Sin Seriousness of Offence in Biblical Law Jonathan P. Burnside Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series 364 For my parents, with love and gratitude Copyright © 2003 Sheffield Academic Press A Continuum imprint Published by Sheffield Academic Press Ltd The Tower Building, 11 York Road, London SE1 7NX 370 Lexington Avenue, New York NY 10017-6550 www.continuumbooks.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library Typeset by Sheffield Academic Press Printed on acid-free paper in Great Britain by Bookcraft Ltd, Midsomer Norton, Bath. ISBN 0-8264-6218-9 CONTENTS List of Figures Foreword Acknowledgments Abbreviations Introduction viii ix xii xiv 1 Chapter 1 DETERMINING SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENCE IN BIBLICAL LAW 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 'Mind the Gap!': Modern and Biblical Legal Praxis Semantic versus Narrative Readings of Biblical Law Identifying the Values of Biblical Law A Rationalist Approach to Seriousness of Offence A Semiotic Approach to Seriousness of Offence Literary Presentation and Seriousness Identifying the Texts 10 10 15 20 21 24 29 32 Chapter 2 THE WRATH OF GOD ON THE SONS OF DISOBEDIENCE: SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENCE AND DEUTERONOMY 21.18-21 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 Offence Description Building the Identikit Identifying the Paradigm Case The Rebellious Son as a 'Son of Belial' Seriousness of Offence Different Jurisdictions, Different Forms of Proof Disinheritance: A Further Dimension of Seriousness? Conclusion 37 38 40 45 55 59 68 71 78 vi The Signs of Sin Chapter 3 LINEAGE, TITLE AND THE BAREFOOT MAN: SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENCE AND DEUTERONOMY 25.5-10 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Offence Description The Paradigm Case Seriousness of Offence Seriousness of Punishment Conclusion 79 84 90 102 105 119 Chapter 4 PROSTITUTION AND THE JEALOUSY OF GOD AND MAN: SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENCE IN LEVITICUS 21.9 AND DEUTERONOMY 22.20-21 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 Performative Registers in Leviticus 21.9 Descriptive Registers in Leviticus 21.9 Offence Description (Leviticus 21.9) Seriousness of Offence Performative Registers in Deuteronomy 22.20-21 Descriptive Registers in Deuteronomy 22.20-21 Offence Description (Deuteronomy 22.20-21) Seriousness of Offence Conclusion 121 122 126 128 134 135 136 137 155 155 Chapter 5 SIN, STATUS AND SACRIFICE: SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENCE AND LEVITICUS 4:1-35 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Leviticus 4.1-35 as a Text for Seriousness Registers of Seriousness Offence Description Offender Status Registers of Seriousness in Leviticus 4 Conclusion 157 157 160 161 166 174 185 Chapter 6 THE SHEKHINAH DEPARTS: SERIOUSNESS OF OFFENCE AND EZEKIEL 8.1-18 6.1 6.2 6.3 Performative Registers of Seriousne