"Exodus 19-40 sets a new standard in biblical scholarship. It is the first commentary on Exodus to include critical textual evidence from the recently edited Dead Sea Scrolls. Informed by Propp's deep understanding of ancient cultural mores and religious traditions, it casts new light on the Israelites' arrival at Sinai, their entry into a covenant with God, their reception of the Law, their worship of the golden calf, and their reconciliation to God. The inclusive commentary on the building of the Holy Tabernacle - God's wilderness abode - is supplemented by numerous illustrations that clarify the biblical text." "Propp extends the scope and relevance of this work in five appendices that discuss the literary formation of the Torah, the historicity of the Exodus tradition, the origins of Israelite monotheism, the Exodus theme in the Bible, and the future of Old Testament scholarship." "By taking an anthropological rather than strictly theological approach, Propp places familiar stories within a fresh context. The result is a fully accessible guide to one of the most important and best-known books of the Bible."--BOOK JACKET