Two distinct political trajectories may be traced in the Hebrew Bible, namely the Mosaic or prophetic, and the Davidic or royal. These reveal different paradigmatic ways in which God was understood within Israelite religion, the consequences which this had for the organization of society, and the way in which social structure and political economy in turn shaped Israelite theology. These two trajectories coexist in Scripture in critical tension with each other. This reflects a tension within ancient Israelite society itself, between a more universal and a more nationalist understanding of its vocation, as well as a more radical and open-ended interpretation of the Torah, and one which was conservative and closed. A similar tension is evident in other historical contexts where the message of the Hebrew prophets has been proclaimed. For the word of the prophets has always challenged unjust social structures, and in so doing has been formative in the development of the western democratic tradition.

‘LET JUSTICE ROLL DOWN’

The prophetic trajectory perceived Yahweh primarily as the God who had liberated slaves from bondage in Egypt and entered into a covenant with them at Sinai. This act of liberation and subsequent covenantal relationship was the foundation of all else. Yahweh, the liberator of slaves, was also biased in favour of the poor and oppressed in Canaan, and therefore concerned about social justice and the building of a communitarian society.