the law-giving at Sinai and its reinterpretation by Moses just before he died. So it is quite apt that Jews term the Pentateuch the Torah, which is usually translated ‘law’ in English. Genesis provides the background to the law-giving, Exodus to Numbers is largely taken up with the proclamation of the law, while Deuteronomy offers a most authoritative commentary on the law by Israel’s greatest prophet Moses. GENRE But should the whole Pentateuch be described as ‘law’ when so much of it is narrative?