Israel's Tabernacle As Social Space

Although narratives about Israel's tabernacle comprise about one-third of the biblical book of Exodus, little attention has been paid to its relation to other historical matters writes George (Hebrew Bible, Iliff College of Theology, Denver). Drawing on French philosopher Henri Lefebvre's conceptions of social space for analyzing these priestly narratives, he argues that they reflect the notion of Israel's special role in relation to other nations. A list of materials required for the construction and maintenance of the Tabernacle per Exodus is appended, though the author says he is agnostic on the issue of its actual existence. The Society of Biblical Literature publishes the paperbound edition; Brill publishes the hardbound edition. Annotation c2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Mark K. George is Associate Professor of Hebrew Bible at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. The author of various articles and essays, he also is organizer and chair of the SBL’s Space, Place, and Lived Experience in Antiquity Section.