We must, however, distinguish at least two forms of historical background material in the study of the Pentateuch: first, the historical background or context within which the book was written, second, the historical background or context of the events recorded in the book. In the former, we have in mind a specific time and place in which the book was composed. We look for the occasion of the writing of the book, who wrote it, and for whom it was written. In the latter, we must look over a wide array
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