The origins of Deuteronomy 32: intertextuality, memory, identity

The remarkable poem in Deut 32:1-43 is a triple conclusion to the life of Moses, to Deuteronomy and to the Pentateuch/Torah.

In content and style, it is an encapsulation of history, prophecy, and wisdom, of a poetic quality hard to surpass.

The song was supposed to be learned by heart, was given its own scroll in Qumran, and was, as far as we know, the first Hebrew text to be written colographically.

Yet, the poem is shrouded in vagueness and ambiguity, and scholars have pondered its origins, function, meaning, and message.

This book plunges into the debate. Extensive theoretical discussions form the foundations for an analysis of similarities and dissimilarities between Deut 32 and other texts from many different perspectives.