The Dating of Deuteronomy : A Response to Nathan MacDonald

Abstract

MacDonald (in ZAW 122/3) has brought important counterarguments about my earlier paper on the dating of Deuteronomy (ZAW 121/3). He contends that the early dating is still not proven, implying that definite proof is needed, but this is an unrealistic goal in human sciences. In addition to addressing MacDonald’s counterarguments and showing that most of them are problematical, my response emphasizes the cumulative effect of all considerations, which clearly favors a late dating. The response also calls for a discussion of the conventional monarchical dating. With the same logic and approach as taken by MacDonald, one would certainly come to the same conclusion that the monarchical context of Deuteronomy is not proven. The response encourages MacDonald to take the next step and evaluate which dating, monarchical or non-monarchical, is more probable.