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A Study of Deuteronomic and Priestly Legislation with Particular Reference to Clean and Unclean Foods

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A Study of Deuteronomic and Priestly Legislation with Particular Reference to Clean and Unclean Foods Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Master's Theses Graduate Research 1982 A Study of Deuteronomic and Priestly Legislation With Particular Reference to Clean and Unclean Foods Vivienne J. Fletcher-Watts Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses Recommended Citation Fletcher-Watts, Vivienne J., "A Study of Deuteronomic and Priestly Legislation With Particular Reference to Clean and Unclean Foods" (1982). Master's Theses. 8. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/theses/8 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 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University M icrofilm s International 300 N. Zeeb Road Ann Arbor. Ml 48106 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 1320840 FLETCHER-WATTS, VIVIENNE JOY A STUDY OF DEUTERONOMIC AND PRIESTLY LEGISLATION WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO CLEAN AND UNCLEAN FOODS ANDREWS UNIVERSITY M.A 1982 University Microfilms International 300 N. Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. M I 48106 Copyright 1982 by FLETCHER-WATTS, VIVIENNE JOY All Rights Reserved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. PLEASE NOTE: In all cases this material has been filmed in the best possible way from the available copy. Problems encountered with this document have been identified here with a check mark -J . 1. 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Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Andrews University School of Graduate Studies A STUDY OF DEUTERONOMIC AND PRIESTLY LEGISLATION WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO CLEAN AND UNCLEAN FOODS A Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillm ent of the Requirements fo r the Degree Master of Arts by Vivienne J. Fletcher-Watts June 1982 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. A STUDY OF DEUTERONOMIC AND PRIESTLY LEGISLATION WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO CLEAN AND UNCLEAN FOODS A thesis presented in partial fu lfillm e n t of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts by Vivienne J. Fletcher-Watts APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Lawrence T.‘ Geraty, Ph.D. 7 <5 ~ / j 2.// Robert M. Johhston, Ph.D. Date dpproved Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT A STUDY OF DEUTERONOMIC AND PRIESTLY LEGISLATION WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO CLEAN AND UNCLEAN FOODS by Vivienne J. Fletcher-Watts Chairman: A. Josef Greig Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Thesis Andrews University Department of Religion T itle : A STUDY OF DEUTERONOMIC AND PRIESTLY LEGISLATION WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO CLEAN AND UNCLEAN FOODS Name of researcher: Vivienne J. Fletcher-Watts Name and degree of faculty adviser: A. Josef Greig, Ph.D. Date completed: June 1982 Problem The laws of clean and unclean foods in Lev 11 and Deut 14: 3:21 have fascinated and perplexed generations of biblical scholars. A great variety of suggestions have been proposed as reasons for the distinction between the clean and unclean animals. Modern biblical scholars claim, however, that the Levitical and Deuteronomic codes are internally inconsistent. These claims are of sufficient magni­ tude that i f true might c a ll into question the assumption that both were given by God at one time. Therefore, it is the purpose of this study to re-examine the Old Testament sources and from the ap p li­ cation of a c ritic a l hermeneutic to the text discover the possible 1 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 2 reasons for the existence o f, and the differences in , the codes in the cultures in which they were given and used. Method The classical hermeneutical approach was employed whereby a hypothesis was formulated regarding the date, authorship, intention, and function of the codes. The unit was then observed as a whole and the internal order and structure noted. Also, the fluid state of the text was considered. That is, it was recognized that the work of editing, compiling, and updating was ongoing. Conclusion Although the two codes probably derived from a common ancient source during the monarchical period, independent crystallizatio n s occurred during the division of Israel and Judah. The individual historical and ideological contexts precipitated metamorphoses in the codes which resulted in the differences. After 721 B.C. some compromise measures were attempted in an e ffo rt to re-amalgamate the two traditions. The Deuteronomic and P riestly codes functioned uniquely in th e ir respective environments as did the food laws in succeeding communities which observed the animal classifications. Although the ordinances themselves remained re la tiv e ly unchanged, each com­ munity attributed a different rationale to the clean/unclean distinction. Five rationales have been proposed. Each were o rig in a lly emphasized by a d iffe re n t community in accordance with its pre­ suppositions, needs, and resources. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Mum and Dad--who loved me i i i Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................ vi PREFACE........................................................................................................... v ii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Study ............................................................ 2 Statement of the Problem .................................................... 3 Importance of the S tud y ........................................................ 3 Delimitations of the Study ................................................ 4 Basic Assumptions.................................................................... 4 Review of Related Literature ...........................................
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