The Consuming Fire, Hebrew Edition

Embedded within the Bible lies a largely unknown story of the founding of early Israel and its religion, interwoven with tales documenting the creation of the Torah. Known as the Priestly Source, the complete text has not appeared on its own in either Hebrew or English—until now. This edition contains for the first time the full biblical Hebrew along with a new translation, annotated to guide readers through the text.    This translation by Liane M. Feldman, an authority on the text, reveals the mythical foundation for the practice of sacrifice in ancient Israelite and Jewish religion. Beginning with the creation of the world and ending at the edge of the Promised Land, the Priestly Source offers a distinctive account from over two thousand years ago of the origins of the people of Israel and a unique perspective on their relationship with their god, Yahweh—one in stark contrast to what is found when we read the Bible now.

Due to printing constraints, please note that this edition is paginated left to right in both Hebrew and English sections. Those who find this inconvenient may wish to purchase the ebook. 

Liane M. Feldman is Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion and the Program in Judaic Studies at Princeton University. She is author of The Story of Sacrifice: Ritual and Narrative in the Priestly Source.

Contents

List of Illustrations 
Acknowledgments 
Preface 

Introduction 

HEBREW

1. Creation and the Flood 
2. The Era of the Patriarchs 
3. The Descent to Egypt 
4. At Mount Sinai 
5. Building Yahweh’s Dwelling 
6. The Eight-Day Inauguration of Yahweh’s Dwelling Place 
7. Leaving Mount Sinai 

Appendix: Possible Materials from the Priestly
Narrative in the Book of Joshua 

ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Translator’s Note 

1. Creation and the Flood 
2. The Era of the Patriarchs 
3. The Descent to Egypt 
4. At Mount Sinai 
5. Building Yahweh’s Dwelling 
6. The Eight-Day Inauguration of Yahweh’s Dwelling Place 
7. Leaving Mount Sinai 

Appendix: Possible Materials from the Priestly
Narrative in the Book of Joshua 

Selected Bibliography 
About the Author