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The Tabernacle Pre-Figured: Cosmic Mountain Ideology in Genesis and Exodus. By L. Michael Morales. Biblical Tools and Studies 15. Leuven: Peeters, 2012, xiii + 345 pp., euro74.
Recently there has been a growing interest in tabernacle and temple theology in the OT, exemplified by the work of such authors as G. K. Beale, Jon Levenson, and John Walton. Michael Morales joins this burgeoning sub-discipline and makes a substantial contribution with The Tabernacle Pre-Figured, a revision of his dissertation under Gordon Wenham. The thesis of Morales's book centers around his view that "dwelling in the divine Presence" is "the kernel of [the Bible's] principal theme" (p. 1). He suggests this theme finds expression in the historical and literary pattern, "through the waters ^ to the mountain of God ^ for 'worship.'" Thus, in the body of his book, Morales expounds the significance of this theme as it recurs through Genesis and Exodus, particularly in the Eden (chap. 2), flood (chap. 3), exodus (chap. 4), and tabernacle (chap. 5) texts.
Chapter 1 surveys cosmic mountain ideology, laying the groundwork for Morales's discussion in the following chapters. Those familiar with the literature on the cosmic mountain and other related themes (e.g. the cosmic waters and tabernacle/temple ideology) will find few surprises here. Defining the cosmic mountain concept, Morales asserts, "The mountain is sacred, the dwelling place of the gods, the intersection between heaven and earth, the central and highest place of the world (axis mundi), and the foundation and navel of creation (omphalos)" (p. 2). Morales skillfully draws on previous research on cosmic mountain ideology both in the ANE and in ancient Israel. Overall, he provides a helpful summary and synthesis for those interested in the subject. One distinctive feature of Morales's discussion is his addition of the "gate liturgy" to cosmic mountain ideology (pp. 32-50). Introducing the gate liturgy with quotes from Psalms 15:1 and 24:3 ("Who shall ascend into the Mount...