Monday, January 24, 2011

Did the Covenant Code come out of a vacuum?

Any first year bible student knows that there are significant similarities between the Laws of Hammurabi and the Covenant Code [i.e. most of parshat Mishpatim]. These similarities include the topics discussed, the penalties imposed, and the way the laws are phrased. Significant differences between the two sets of laws have also been identified. These differences also relate to the topics discussed, the penalties imposed, and the way the laws are phrased.

However, what seems undisputed are the dates - Hammurabi's Law is older the Moses's - and the existence of certain correspondences, including the goring ox, and the mutilation of a slave's ear. [All 14 correspondences are provided after the jump]

In some instances even the wording of Hamurabbi's Code bears what Kugel calls a "striking resemblance" to the Bible. What explains this?

Suppose a new 21st century religious sect were to announce a divine revelation that corresponded in key ways with the Magna Carta. Though this would not be an argument against the revelation itself, it would be good grounds for saying that the new religious sect hadn't started with a completely clean slate.

Doesn't it follow that the Covenant Code likewise did not emerge from a vacuum? (yes) And does it matter? (no) As I say in comment #7:

(1) God might have given Moses a CC that shared aspects with the LH.There are any number of reasons why God might have done this.
(2) Even if CC was written by a human, its still OUR CC and it still has religious and historical significance, that can't casually be dismissed.

Fourteen correspondences between the Covenant Code and the Laws of Hammurabi after the jump

Fourteen correspondences between the Covenant Code and the Laws of Hammurabi 



Chart taken from Inventing God's Law, by David P. Wright


Search for more information about the CC at 4torah.com.

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