Students of the Pentateuch have always been interested in historical questions. Were the patriarchs and matriarchs real people or literary creations? Did the exodus from Egypt take place the way it is described in the Bible? Were there twelve tribes of Israel?

In this book John J. McDermott looks in a balanced way at the historical questions in the Pentateuch. He looks at not only the question of whether certain events happened, but also at when the text was written and what social or religious issues it was addressing at the time of its composition.

This book- -covers stories in Genesis and Exodus. -looks at the often-neglected material in Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. -is perfect text for undergraduate courses and adult Bible study.