This paper continues the analysis of political theory in the Hebrew Bible. The Book of Exodus identifies nationhood as the best form of political organization. Nationhood, in turn, requires self-government, centralized institutions, and control over territory. The narrative of Mount Sinai addresses the topic of centralized institutions. The author here distinguishes and insightfully analyzes four types of legal institution: the fundamental commitment, the rule of recognition, fundamental law,

more »

... dinary law, and rules pertaining to the organization of government. * * * This article analyzes the Bible's account of Israel's reception of the law on Mount Sinai and other wilderness locations. I argue that these narratives form part of an extended analysis of political ideas -a political philosophy -which rivals in sophistication, and probably predates, the theories developed by Plato and Aristotle in the Greek world. As outlined in prior work, the Garden of Eden story serves as a prolegomenon to the Bible's political theory and also offers an impressive analysis of the question of political obligation -why people are required to obey their political rulers. The stories of the Dark Age after the expulsion of Adam and Eve address the question of anarchy: whether it is possible for human beings to lead a good and decent life in the absence of