This work uses anthropological theory and field studies to investigate the social function and meaning of sacrifice. All rituals, including sacrifice, communicate social beliefs and morality, but these cannot be determined outside of a study of the social context. Thus, there is no single explanation for sacrifice - such as those advanced by Rene Girard or Walter Burkert or late-19th and early-20th century scholars. The book then examines four different writings in the Hebrew Bible - the Priestly Writing, the Deuteronomistic History, Ezra-Nehemiah, and Chronicles - to demonstrate how different social origins result in different social meanings of sacrifice.
- ISBN10 3110181584
- ISBN13 9783110181586
- Publish Date 24 June 2004 (first published 1 January 2004)
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country DE
- Imprint De Gruyter
- Edition Reprint 2012
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 312
- Language English
- URL http://degruyter.com/search?f_0=isbnissn&q_0=9783110181586&searchTitles=true