Report an issue with this product or seller
[Note to Readers: this review may seem top-heavy with bibliographic material. Given the number of informative reviews of this book, I've chosen to focus on its relation to the author's other books, and on the adaptation to Kindle of several of them. I hope that it will be useful.]
I was delighted to see that Jon D. Levenson's "Sinai & Zion: An Entrance Into the Jewish Bible" (Harper & Row, 1985; corrected paperback, 1987; HarperOne digital edition, May 2013) was available in Kindle format (and Kobo and Nook as well), alongside "Creation and the Persistence of Evil: The Jewish Drama of Divine Omnipotence" (Harper & Row, 1987; corrected, with a new Preface, Princeton University Press, paperback, 1994; HarperCollins EPub edition, October 2013) and "Resurrection and the Restoration of Israel: The Ultimate Victory of the God of Life" (Yale University Press, 2006).
I was particularly pleased about the first two, because I no longer have my paperback copies, and wanted to replace them -- and at a price closer to what I originally paid than the current list-prices for them.
Still awaiting digital publication are, among others by Levenson: "The Hebrew Bible, The Old Testament, and Historical Criticism: Jews and Christians in Biblical Studies" (Westminster / John Knox Press, 1993) and "The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son: The Transformation of Child Sacrifice in Judaism and Christianity" (Yale University Press, 1993).
The most recent of his books -- and this is not a complete list of the others -- is "Inheriting Abraham: The Legacy of the Patriarch in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam" (Library of Jewish Ideas, 2012), which I have yet to read. It does have a Kindle edition.
The Kindle edition of "Sinai and Zion" is mostly well-executed, until one reaches the Scriptural and General indexes. They have been re-labelled as Lists of Searchable Terms: that is, the old page references are shown, but are not hyperlinked to their locations in the digital text. Instead, one is advised to use the list in conjunction with the Kindle search engine. The same is true of "Creation and the Persistence of Evil," although there the indexes are not re-labelled, and "Resurrection and the Restoration...," where even the advice to use the search engine is lacking.
I can understand HarperCollins, a commercial publisher, cutting corners a bit in preparing its own non-fiction for digital release; I am a bit more perturbed by Yale University Press doing the same thing, without even apologizing to the reader.
As will have been noticed from some of the titles, Levenson is interested in, among other things, comparative studies and the history of criticism.
"Sinai & Zion" and "Creation and the Persistence of Evil" include both, with observations on Christian theology and Christian-based historical criticism, and reflections on the general Jewish lack of interest in constructing theologies of the Hebrew Bible. Their main concern, however, is comparing inner-Biblical material; overlap in the central concepts makes the books a kind of thematic duology.
As the title indicates, "Sinai and Zion" is structured around the poles of Mt. Sinai (Revelation, Covenant, and People) and Mt. Zion (Temple, Promise, and King), which it has been fashionable to contrast in various ways.
One extreme is Paul's distinction between the Law (represented by Sinai) and Grace (represented by God's promises to King David), with the latter preferred. Sometimes the reading has been political, in which case Zion is held to represent Royalist innovations in Judah, while the Northern Kingdom of Israel adhered more faithfully to the "populist" Sinai Covenant.
It will be noted that such comparisons assume that one pole is good, the other less so, if not seen as simply bad.
Levenson begins with this distinction between the associations of the two mountains, but demonstrates, with well-chosen selections from the Psalms and some of the Prophets, that Zion imagery does not displace or usurp the symbolism of Sinai so much as it absorbs and extends it.
He also shows, from somewhat different perspectives in the two books, that both Zion and Sinai share "historicized" mythological themes, such as the victory of God over the forces of cosmic chaos, represented by the Sea, and human enemies (Egyptian, Assyrian, or other); and that Sinai and Zion share associations with the central Sanctuary (Tabernacle or Temple) of Israel. The working out of these similarities -- and of the real distinctions between the two mountains -- is the major theme of "Sinai and Zion."
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Follow the author
Get new release updates & improved recommendations
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now.
Frequently bought together
This item: Sinai and Zion: A Treasury of Religious Thought and Faith in the Symbolic World of the Bible
EUR13.66
Get it May 11 - 20
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.+
EUR13.62
In Stock
+
EUR25.62
Only 10 left in stock (more on the way).
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start over
- The Death and Resurrection of the Beloved Son: The Transformation of Child Sacrifice in Judaism and ChristianityPaperbackEUR 7.94 shippingOnly 15 left in stock - order soon.
About the author
Customers say
Customers find the book provides wonderful insights into the study of Judaism, with one customer noting it's essential reading for understanding the Old Testament. The readability receives mixed feedback, with several customers finding it not an easy read.
AI Generated from the text of customer reviews
Select to learn more
12 customers mention content, 10 positive, 2 negative
...Nevertheless it is very informative and the author displays an impressive knowledge of the subject. An academic would justifiably rate this 5 stars.Read more
...Nevertheless, Sinai and Zion, is a valuable addition to biblical theology, enlightening serious readers of any religious persuasion (or none)....Read more
A fine book by a top notch jew scholar. Yes, the Christological meaning is missing, but this book is useful in spite of this big shortcoming.Read more
This is an excellent book that should be read by all Christians....Read more
7 customers mention readability, 4 positive, 3 negative
...Sinai and Zion" is easy to read but to grasp it fully, one must read slowly with either a No. 2 pencil or a fresh stack of post-it notes....Read more
Not an easy read, but very informative. I learned so much about how the temple relates to the Israelites experience on Mount Sinai....Read more
The book was intact and I can read it ... but it has notes and underlining in RED throughout the whole book. Definitely NOT "like new".Read more
Too confusing.Read more
Like New??
The book was intact and I can read it ... but it has notes and underlining in RED throughout the whole book. Definitely NOT "like new".
