This first full-scale account of Leviticus by a world-renowned anthropologist presents the biblical work as a literary masterpiece. Seen in an anthropological perspective Leviticus has a mystical structure which plots the book into three parts corresponding to the three parts of the desert tabernacle, which in turn corresponds to the parts of Mount Sinai. This completely new reading transforms the interpretation of the purity laws. The pig and other forbidden animals are not abhorrent, they command the same respect due to all God's creatures. Boldly challenging several traditions of Bible criticism, Mary Douglas claims that Leviticus is not the narrow doctrine of a crabbed professional priesthood but a powerful intellectual statement about a religion which emphasizes God's justice and compassion.

About the Author
Mary Douglas is also the author of In the Wilderness, the Doctrine of Defilement in the Book of Numbers (1993).

Reviews
the great anthropologist Mary Douglas's surprising rereading of a very old text,Leviticus as Literature makes a discarded classic zing with new life. * Valentine Cunningham, The Independent, 2000 *



Book Information
ISBN 9780199244195
Author Mary Douglas
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 356g
Dimensions(mm) 215mm * 139mm * 16mm