Book Review: The Meaning of The Pentateuch by John Sailhamer
The Meaning of the Pentateuch: Revelation, Composition and Interpretation by John H. Sailhamer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What can be said about John H. Sailhamer? He is professor of Old Testament at Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary in Brea, CA, an author of several books, and a very intelligent man.
The Meaning of The Pentateuch covers the gamut of Biblical studies. Not only does it deal with the meaning of the Pentateuch, but it also gives a crash course in hermeneutics, Biblical theology, Old Testament theology, as well as interacting with covenant theology and dispensationalism. Considering this, it is no wonder that the book is over six hundred pages!
Written from an evangelical perspective that seems to be pretty conservative, The Meaning of The Pentateuch addresses the issues surrounding the revelation, composition, and interpretation of the Pentateuch. This was no doubt a daunting undertaking, but the result is pleasing. Sailhamer is convinced that the Pentateuch was composed in its present state to present theological truth. He shows how various Biblical themes are arranged, organized, and presented throughout the whole of the Pentateuch. I was amazed to see this, because I learned so very many things that I had never known. This book has been extensively highlighted by me, and will be one to which I shall refer quite often when studying.
In the end, Sailhamer essentially tells us that we should recognize that the Old Testament should be allowed to stand on its own instead of reading the New Testament back into it. The Pentateuch shows a much more detailed understanding of the coming Christ than most of us realize. Sailhamer brings this to the fore in this book. In doing so he has done a great service to the church.
The reader should not allow the length and size of the book to deter him. It is a book worth reading and re-reading. It is destined to be a classic in Old Testament studies.
Thanks to Adrianna Wright of IVP for this review copy.