[Author’s Name]
[Institution’s Name]
Essay on
Moses "Book of Exedus"
There has long been a need for a detailed, modern, English language commentary on the book of Exodus and particularly for one giving attention to theological issues. Childs' lengthy work makes an important contribution toward filling this conspicuous gap in biblical scholarship. Childs' introduction sets forth his purpose plainly: to write a commentary which treats the book of Exodus as Scripture of the church. Thus this volume illustrates on a large scale aspects of his view of the task of biblical theology set forth in his earlier work, Biblical Theology in Crisis. The commentary treats each of the units of Exodus under the headings of the "prehistory" of the text, the Old Testament context, the New Testament context, history of exegesis, and theological reflection "within the context of the Christian canon" (p. xiv). Not all these headings appear in every unit, but there is a consistency in approach throughout the volume. The translation is Childs' own, with a limited number of supporting philological and textual notes provided.
Childs makes clear that the "prehistory" of the text is not his focus of interest and is in fact valuable for his goal in the commentary only insofar as it contributes to a better understanding of the received scriptural form. Nonetheless, his treatment of the critical issues which have interested modern scholars is extensive. Many of the technical issues discussed in the "prehistory" section are given fresh interpretations; the study of the circumcision of Moses, and the analysis of the mediatorial role of Moses. Childs' discussion of historicocritical concerns is especially helpful in that he writes in dialogue with other specialists. Thus, the reader is exposed to the variety of possible analyses of each problem, not only to the solution of the commentator.
Childs believes that the biblical narrator of Exodus was not especially concerned for historical detail and that the narrator's view should guide our study.....
