What does this research mean for the field?

The Book of Exodus functions as a multi-dimensional narrative of a rite of passage, where Moses acts as a paradigmatic liminal persona whose essential liminality explains his absence from the Promised Land, and the resulting suspended Pentateuch served as a 'liminal script' for exilic identity formation. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To examine the biblical book of Exodus through an anthropological framework of rites of passage to better understand communal transformation and Moses' structural role.

September 8, 2026Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

The book of Exodus: From the perspective of rites of passage

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JDJiali Dang

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Overview

Anthropological textual analysis reveals Exodus as a multidimensional rite of passage in ancient Israelite narrative, indicating Moses' perpetual liminality shaped exilic identity.

Key Points

To examine the biblical book of Exodus through an anthropological framework of rites of passage to better understand communal transformation and Moses' structural role.
Applied anthropological theories of rites of passage and liminality to the textual narrative of the book of Exodus.
Evaluated narrative progression across geographic, juridical, military, social, and religious domains leading to the entry into Canaan.
Identified Moses as a paradigmatic liminal persona caught between Israelite and Egyptian origins, life and death, and human and divine realms, justifying his exclusion from Canaan.
Demonstrated that historical exile drove a canonical shift toward the Pentateuch as a 'liminal script' suited to reinforcing identity during communal displacement.

Cite This Study

Jiali Dang (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa0091858e84d0ff5b47b9b https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892251412423

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September 8, 2026Journal for the Study of the Old Testament

The book of Exodus: From the perspective of rites of passage

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

JDJiali Dang

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Anthropological textual analysis reveals Exodus as a multidimensional rite of passage in ancient Israelite narrative, indicating Moses' perpetual liminality shaped exilic identity.

Key Points

To examine the biblical book of Exodus through an anthropological framework of rites of passage to better understand communal transformation and Moses' structural role.
Applied anthropological theories of rites of passage and liminality to the textual narrative of the book of Exodus.
Evaluated narrative progression across geographic, juridical, military, social, and religious domains leading to the entry into Canaan.
Identified Moses as a paradigmatic liminal persona caught between Israelite and Egyptian origins, life and death, and human and divine realms, justifying his exclusion from Canaan.
Demonstrated that historical exile drove a canonical shift toward the Pentateuch as a 'liminal script' suited to reinforcing identity during communal displacement.

Cite This Study

Jiali Dang (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa0091858e84d0ff5b47b9b https://doi.org/10.1177/03090892251412423

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