Link to review added for Tryggve N. D. Mettinger, The Eden Narrative: A Literary and Religio-historical Study of Genesis 2–3

Bibliographical details:
Mettinger, T. N. D. (2007). The Eden Narrative: A Literary and Religio-Historical Study of Genesis 2–3. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns.

Publisher’s information:
‘The arrival of a new monograph by Tryggve Mettinger is an occasion for scholarly delight. Mettinger is one of the finest biblical scholars in the world.’ – Ronald Hendel (University of California at Berkeley)

‘Mettinger “inverts our world,” and he does so with sustained and compelling erudition.’ – Brian B. Schmidt (University of Michigan

In a book marked by unusually readable yet academic style, Mettinger transforms our knowledge of the story of Eden in Genesis. He shows us a story focused on a divine test of human obedience, with human disobedience and its consequences as its main theme. Both of the special trees in Eden had a function: the tree of knowledge as the test case, and the tree of life as the potential reward for obedience. Mettinger adopts a two-tiered approach. In a synchronic move, he undertakes a literary analysis that yields striking observations on narratology, theme, and genre in the text studied. He defines the genre as myth and subjects the narrative to a functional analysis. He then applies a diachronic approach and presents a tradition-historical reconstruction of an Adamic myth in Ezekiel 28. The presence of both wisdom and immortality in this myth leads to a discussion of these divine prerogatives in Mesopotamian literature (remember Adapa and Gilgamesh). The two prerogatives demarcated an ontological boundary between the divine and human spheres. Nevertheless, the Eden Narrative does not evaluate the human desire to obtain knowledge or wisdom negatively.

A piece of fresh, original scholarship in accessible form, this book is ideal for courses on creation, primeval history, the Bible and literature, and the Bible and the ancient Near East.

Tryggve N. D. Mettinger is Professor Emeritus of Hebrew Bible at Lund University, Sweden. He is the author of a number of monographs on topics such as kingship, divine names, aniconism, and the dying god. He has served as visiting professor at a number of institutions in Europe, Israel, South Africa, and the U.S. He is a member of the Royal Academy of Letters, History and Antiquities, Stockholm, and an Honorary Member of the British Society of Old Testament Studies.

Table of contents:
Acknowledgments … ix
Preface … xi
Abbreviations … xv

1. Introduction … 1
1.1. The Agenda of the Present Study … 1
1.2. One or Two Trees? A Survey of Opinions … 5

2. A Narratological Analysis of the Eden Narrative … 12
2.1. Unifying Elements … 13
2.2. Time and Location … 14
2.3. Scenes and Plot … 16
2.4. Characters … 29
2.5. Focalization (Point of View) and Voice … 32
2.6. Narrator and Characters: Omniscience and Restricted Knowledge … 34
Summary and Conclusions … 41

3. The Theme of the Eden Narrative … 42
3.1. “Theme” in Literary Theory … 42
3.2. The Theme of the Eden Narrative … 47
Summary and Conclusions … 63

4. The Genre and Function of the Eden Narrative … 65
4.1. The Genre of the Eden Narrative … 66
4.2. Excursus: Structuralist Approaches … 74
4.3. The Nature of Genre and How Genre Works … 76
4.4. The Eden Narrative versus the Chaos Battle Drama of Creation … 80
Summary and Conclusions … 83

5. Traces of a Tradition: The Adamic Myth in Ezekiel 28 … 85
5.1. The Contents of the Adamic Myth … 87
5.2. Wisdom and Immortality in the Adamic Myth … 90
5.3. The Innovations of the Eden Poet (Genesis 2–3) … 94
Summary and Conclusions … 97

6. Wisdom and Immortality in Adapa and Gilgamesh … 99
6.1. The Myth of Adapa and the South Wind … 100
6.2. The Gilgamesh Epic … 109

7. Synthesis … 123
7.1. The Two Main Traditions Alloyed … 124
7.2. The Conceptual Framework … 126
7.3. Date and Literary Integrity … 134

References … 136

Indexes
Index of Authors … 156
Index of Scripture … 160
Index of Other Ancient Sources … 163
Index of Terms, Mainly Literary … 165

	Review
	In Chapter 1, Mettinger outlines the main aims of his study of the Eden narrative in Genesis 2–3 as identifying the theme of the narrative and determining whether the author used an earlier story that was then turned into something new. He goes on to review some earlier views about the central idea of the passage, including those of:      Hermann Gunkel: expulsion from the garden, Claus Westermann: why are humans, though created by God, limited by, suffering and sin? Gordon Wenham: a paradigm of sin, of what happens whenever man disobeys God, Gerhard von Rad: human hubris and its consequences, Odil Hannes Steck: the root of evil is the human endeavour to form their own existence autonomously, James Barr: how human immortality was almost gained but was in fact lost, Terje Stordalen: a story about the impossibility of having both knowledge and life, Ellen van Wolde, Lyn M. Bechtel: a story about human maturation, and Phyllis Trible: life and death. This is followed by a survey of scholarly views on the trees in the garden, i.e. the question of whether the story originally contained one tree or two. Scholars who have concluded, on the basis of perceived inconsistencies in the narrative, that the tree of life is a secondary addition include Karl Budde, Hermann Gunkel, Claus Westermann, Howard N. Wallace, Christoph Dohmen and David Carr. Those who have argued, albeit for various reasons and on the basis of different perceptions of the development and theme of the narrative, that the tree of life does have an essential place in the text include Paul Humbert, Odil Hannes Steck, James Barr, Terje Stordalen and Konrad Schmid. A minority of scholars (e.g. Eduard Nielsen and Jutta Krispenz) have argued for the tree of life as the original tree, regarding the tree of knowledge as a later addition.
	In the second chapter, Mettinger then turns his attention to a narratological analysis of the Eden narrative. As part of this he looks at unifying elements such as recurrent motifs and inclusios (which suggest that Genesis 2–3 is a meaningful whole), at time and location (which indicate a cosmic ‘world apart’, i.e. outside the ordinary realm), scenes and plot (with the latter being understood as being focused on a divine test concerning the issue of obedience to the commandment), characters, and focalization/point of view (noting that the Eden story is told from an objective, detached, outside point of view) and voice (which is described as ‘extradiegetic’ because events are narrated from ‘above’). Special attention is devoted to the question of the knowledge of the narrator vis-à-vis that of the characters, with Mettinger concluding that the narrator is omniscient but not necessarily ‘omnicommunicative’, whereas the human characters come across as ignorant (for instance, they do not appear to have had any knowledge about the tree of life or the fact that they were passing a test). His narratological analysis leads Mettinger to conclude that:      the Eden narrative is a well-structured, unified whole, the plot focuses on a divine test of obedience to God, which is about the demarcation of the human world from the divine, with knowledge being understood as a divine prerogative, both trees are required in that one is the test, with the other being the reward, the narrator, God and the reader know about both trees, whereas the human characters are ignorant with respect to the tree of life.
	The theme of the Eden narrative then becomes the focus of chapter 3. Mettinger here begins with some general considerations on the notion of theme in literary theory, focusing on the work of theorists like Monroe Beardsley, Gerald Prince and others, before analyzing the theme of the Eden narrative itself. The possibilities he discusses include:      Death versus immortality Mettinger notes that ‘the two inclusios …, the tree of life and creation out of dust, strike a note of human transitoriness and the possibility of immortality that was never realized’ (p. 47), only to conclude, however, that although the issue of death versus immortality is an essential part of the narrative, it is not its central theme. The test of obedience: disobedience and its consequences Following the lead of Gerhard Lohfink, John Van Seters and Eckart Otto, Mettinger here points to the Yahwist’s indebtedness to the Deuteronomistic covenant theology, which is exemplified in the motifs of the divine commandment and the divine test. He concludes that ‘the Deuteronomistic notion of law is here repristinated to the divine commandment, addressed in illo tempore to the first human couple in the garden of Eden’ (p. 57, italics removed). Theodicy Employing the Deuteronomistic emphasis on the connection between acts and their consequences, the text indicates that the state of affairs in the real world is a perversion of what it was intended to be. ‘While the [Deuteronomistic History] supplies an etiology for the loss of the land, the Eden Narrative serves as an etiology for the loss of the Garden of Bliss’ (p. 59, italics removed). Mettinger then moves on to present some conclusions concerning the trees, which are both required, the tree of knowledge as the test case and the tree of life as the potential reward in case the human couple had passed the test. And he offers some brief comments on the kind of knowledge the tree was supposed to provide, such as (1) the acquisition of human qualities (e.g. adult maturity, human independence and self-determination), (2) sexual consciousness, (3) ethical knowledge, or (4) universal knowledge.
	Mettinger concludes the chapter by defining the subject of the Eden narrative as ‘the divine test of obedience to the commandment’; the theme is understood as ‘disobedience and its consequences’, and the thesis of the passage is said to be ‘obedience to the commandment leads to life, disobedience to death’ (p. 64).
	Chapter 4, in turn, is devoted to the genre and function of the narrative.
	.… to be continued …

	You may also be interested to read the review by Howard N. Wallace, published in the Review of Biblical Literature.

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Andreas Schüle, Der Prolog der hebräischen Bibel: Der literar- und theologiegeschichtliche Diskurs der Urgeschichte (Genesis 1–11)

Bibliographical details:
Schüle, A. (2006). Der Prolog der hebräischen Bibel: Der literar- und theologiegeschichtliche Diskurs der Urgeschichte (Genesis 1–11). Abhandlungen zur Theologie des Alten und Neuen Testaments, vol. 86. Zurich: TVZ.

Publisher’s information:
Die biblische Urgeschichte erzählt nicht nur von Anfängen, sie ist ein Anfang – derjenige des Alten Testaments, der Hebräischen Bibel. Gemäß der These dieser Studie erfolgte die literarische und theologische Arbeit an der Urgeschichte im Bewusstsein, dass es sich um den Prolog zu einem Textcorpus aus Tora, Propheten und Schriften handelt. Ein diskursiver Durchgang durch Gen 1–11 zeigt die Auseinandersetzung der verschiedenen Stimmen der Urgeschichte (Priesterschrift und nichtpriesterliche Texte) insbesondere mit den prophetischen und weisheitlichen Traditionen, die schließlich im Rahmen des Tanak kanonisiert wurden.

Auch in anderer Hinsicht erweist sich die Urgeschichte als Prolog: Es finden sich Einflüsse mythologischer Traditionen mesopotamischer und griechischer Provenienz. Dies wird dahingehend interpretiert, dass die Autoren der Urgeschichte die literarischen Traditionen Israels und Judas gezielt in den Kontext antiker Literatur zu integrieren suchten.

Andreas Schüle, Dr. phil. Dr. theol. habil., Jahrgang 1968, ist Professor für Altes Testament und biblische Hermeneutik am Union Seminary & Presbyterian School of Christian Education Richmond, Virginia.

Table of contents:
0. EINLEITUNG … 1
0.1 DIE ANFÄNGE DER WELT UND DER BEGINN EINES BUCHES … 1

0.2 ÜBERGREIFEND HERANGEZOGENE LITERATUR … 6

1. ZUR FORSCHUNGSGESCHICHTE … 11
1.1 DAS FORSCHUNGSGESCHICHTLICHE PROBLEM DES JAHWISTEN … 11
1.1.1 Die Frage nach dem Werden einer literarischen Quelle und die Urgeschichte … 11
1.1.2 Unabhängigkeit oder Intertextualität? – Die literarische Einordnung
von J in den Entstehungsprozess des Pentateuch … 14
1.1.3 Modifikationen der Quellen- und Redaktionshypothesen zu J … 20
1.1.4 J als Kommentar zur priesterlichen Urgeschichte … 24
1.1.5 Zusammenfassung … 31

1.2 DIE KOMPOSITION DER URGESCHICHTLICHEN STOFFE IM RAHMEN EINER ERGÄNZUNGSHYPOTHESE … 32

1.3 LITERATUR … 40

2. DIE GENEALOGISCHE THEOLOGIE DER PRIESTERSCHRIFT …43
2.1 DIE TOLEDOTFORMEL UND DER PRIESTERLICHE TEXT … 43

2.2 DIE PRIESTERLICHE GENESIS ALS GESCHICHTSBUCH … 51

2.3 DIE URGESCHICHTE ALS TEIL DER PRIESTERLICHEN GENESIS … 54

2.4 DIE GLIEDERUNGSEBENEN DER PRIESTERLICHEN URGESCHICHTE … 57

3. DIE NATÜRLICHE THEOLOGIE DER PRIESTERSCHRIFT … 59
3.1 ALLGEMEINE MERKMALE NATÜRLICHER THEOLOGIE … 59

3.2 NATÜRLICH-THEOLOGISCHE ELEMENTE DER PRIESTERLICHEN URGESCHICHTE …62
3.2.1 Der Text von Gen 1,1–2,3 … 65
3.2.2 Die mythische Rede vom Anfang und von der Menschenschöpfung …67
3.2.3 Die Urgeschichte als Einweisung in die Tora … 74

3.2.3.1 Terminologische Assoziationen … 74
3.2.3.2 Fortschreitende Konkretion … 79
3.2.3.3 Sachliche Entsprechungen … 81

3.3 DAS VERSTÄNDNIS DES MENSCHEN ALS BILD GOTTES … 84
3.3.1 Hermeneutische Vorüberlegung … 84
3.3.2 Ebenbildlichkeit und Bilderpolemik … 86
3.3.3 Das Bilderkonzept der Inschrift vom Tell Fekheriye … 89
3.3.4 Die Personwerdung des Menschen als Bild Gottes … 91

Exkurs: Individualisierung im Alten Testament … 97

3.4 GOTTES FERNE UND DIE KOSMISCHE ORDNUNG … 102

3.5 DAS DOMINIUM TERRAE UND SEINE AUFHEBUNG … 106

3.6 DER KÖNIGLICHE MENSCH? DIE IMAGO DEI IM VERGLEICH MIT PSALM 8 … 117
Exkurs: Der «überlegend-entscheidende Mensch» (maliku amelu) in neubabylonischer Tradition … 121

4. DIE PROPHETISCHE THEOLOGIE DER PRIESTERSCHRIFT … 125
4.1 WELLHAUSENS TRENNUNG VON PROPHETISCHER UND PRIESTERLICHER ÜBERLIEFERUNG … 125

4.2 NEUERE FORSCHUNGSPERSPEKTIVEN … 126

4.3 SCHÖPFUNG ALS WORTGESCHEHEN … 130

4.4 GOTTES ATEM ALS GRENZE DES CHAOS … 134

4.5 ZWISCHENREFLEXION I: DER PROLOGCHARAKTER VON GENESES 1,1–2,3 … 137

4.6 LITERATUR ZU K. 2–4 … 138

5. VON ADAM UND EVA ZU KAIN: DIE WEISHEIT UND IHRE FOLGEN … 149
5.1 DIE MENSCHEN IN EDEN … 149
5.1.1 Der Text von Gen 2,4–3,24 … 149
5.1.2 Synchrones und diachrones Textprofil … 152
5.1.3 Gen 2–3 und die Erzählung vom Urmenschen im Garten Eden … 156
5.1.4 Das Bild wird Mensch … … 161

5.1.4.1 Die Erschaffung Adams im Garten und die Herstellung eines Kultbildes … 161
5.1.4.2 Der Mensch und sein Gegenüber … 168
5.1.4.3 Der Mensch und seine Weisheit … 174

5.2 DIE KAIN-ÜBERLIEFERUNG … 178
5.2.1 Der Text (Gen 4) … 178
5.2.2 Die Kainerzählung als weisheitliche Reflexion auf das Werden des
Gewaltmenschen … 180

5.2.2.1 Die Verwandlung Kains … 181
5.2.2.2 Exkurs: Gen 4,7 und die stoische Affektenlehre … 189

5.2.3 Die literarische und theologische Interdependenz der Eden- und
der Kain-Erzählung … 191

5.2.3.1 Die Personifizierung der Sünde (4,7) und die Folgen für Eva … 195

5.2.4 Die siebenfache Rache für Kain und das priesterliche Tötungsverbot
(Gen 9,5f.) … 199

5.2.4.1 Gottes Präsenz und das Tat-Folge-Prinzip … 201

5.2.5 Zwischen Gottesgarten und Wüstenland: das Leben in Eden als Aufgabe des Menschen … 204
5.2.6 Die Überleitung zur Flutgeschichte: der Kainstammbaum als Genealogie des Gewaltmenschen … 207

5.3 ZWISCHENREFLEXION II: DER PROLOGCHARAKTER DER EDEN-ERZÄHLUNG … 210

5.4 LITERATUR ZU K. 5 … 213

6. DIE ENGELEHEN UND DIE EPOCHALISIERUNG DER URGESCHICHTE … 219
6.1 DER TEXT UND DIE THEMEN VON GEN 6,1-4 … 219

6.2 DER RELIGIONSGESCHICHTLICHE HINTERGRUND VON GEN 6,1-4 … 222

6.3 SCHÖPFUNG ALS ANTHROPOGONIE … 232

6.4 DIE BEGRENZUNG DER MENSCHLICHEN LEBENSDAUER AUF 120 JAHRE … 237

6.5 GOTTES GEIST UND DAS LEBEN … 239

6.6 LITERATUR ZU K.6 … 244

7. DIE SINTFLUTGESCHICHTE … 247
7.1 SYNOPSE DES PRIESTERLICHEN UND NICHT-PRIESTERLICHEN TEXTS VON GEN 6,5–9,17.28 … 247

7.2 DIE STRUKTUR DER PRIESTERLICHEN SINTFLUTGESCHICHTE … 254

7.3 DAS LITERARGESCHICHTLICHE VERHÄLTNIS VON PRIESTERLICHEM UND NICHT-PRIESTERLICHEM TEXT … 258

7.4 DAS THEOLOGISCHE PROFIL DER PRIESTERLICHEN FLUTGESCHICHTE … 260
7.4.1 Die degenerierte und die restaurierte Welt … 260
7.4.2 Die Taxonomie des Lebens: Fleisch, Seele, Geist … 269

7.5 DIE NICHT-PRIESTERLICHEN TEXTE … 271
7.5.1 Die erste Bearbeitungsschicht … 271

7.5.1.1 Die Flut als Strafe … 274
7.5.1.2 Die Gerechtigkeit Noahs und das böse Herz … 280
7.5.1.3 Noah als Gegenfigur zu Hiob … 284
7.5.1.4 Der Sinn des Opfers … 287
7.5.1.5 Reinheit … 291

7.5.2 Die zweite Bearbeitungsschicht … 292

7.5.2.1 Korrekturen zur Schöpfungsordnung (7,13-17a) … 293
7.5.2.2 Gottesgeist als Lebensatem (7,21-22) … 295
7.5.2.3 Exkurs: Das Problem der Chronologien in Gen 6–9 … 299

8. DIE FLUTERZÄHLUNG UND DAS PROPHETISCHE GESCHICHTSBILD … 303
8.1. DIE PRIESTERLICHE REZEPTION … 303
8.1.1 Gewalt auf der guten Erde. Die Begründung der Sintflut … 303
8.1.2 Zerstreuung (Gen 9,19) – die Umwertung eines Begriffs prophetischer Gerichtspredigt … 311
8.1.3 Noahbund und Neuer Bund … 316

8.2 DIE NICHT-PRIESTERLICHE REZEPTION … 320
8.2.1 YHWHs Reue … 320
8.2.2 YHWH und die mythische Götterwelt … 323
8.2.3 Die Götterwelt im Wandel … 328
8.2.4 Das alte Herz bleibt – Gen 8,20-22 als weisheitliche Kritik am prophetischen Weltbild … 335

8.3 ZWISCHENREFLEXION III: DER PROLOGCHARAKTER DER FLUTGESCHICHTE … 345

8.4 LITERATUR ZU K. 7 U. 8 … 348

9 DIE VÖLKERGESCHICHTE … 355
9.1 DIE VERFLUCHUNG KANAANS … 355
9.1.1 Der Text von Gen 9,20-27 … 355
9.1.2 Die Gliederungsfunktion des Texts als Zäsur zwischen Urzeit und
Völkergeschichte … 355
9.1.3 Die Brüder- als Völkerbeziehungen … 360
9.1.4 Gen 9,20-27 und die deuteronomistische Bannideologie … 364
9.1.5 Israel zwischen Kanaanäern und Großmächten … 366

9.2 DIE VÖLKERTAFEL … 367
9.2.1 Die ethnische Darstellung der Völkerwelt … 372
9.2.2 Die Nimrodepisode … 374
9.2.3 Die zweite Semitenliste (Gen 11,10-26) … 376

10. DIE BABELERZÄHLUNG ALS ABSCHLUSS DER URGESCHICHTE … 379
10.1 DER TEXT VON GEN 11,1-9 … 379

10.2 DIE BEDEUTUNG DER BABELERZÄHLUNG ALS MYTHOS … 380

10.3 DIE NARRATIVE STRUKTUR VON GEN 11,1-9 … 384

10.4 SPRACHVERWIRRUNG ODER ZERSTREUUNG? DIE FRAGE NACH DEM DIACHRONEN TEXTPROFIL … 386

10.5 DER VERLUST DER EINEN SPRACHE … 389
10.5.1 Sprach- und Textsemantik … 389
10.5.2 Sprache als Einheitsmerkmal … 392

10.6 DIE EINBETTUNG DER BABEL-ERZÄHLUNG IN DIE URGESCHICHTE … 394
10.6.1 Motivische Verbindungen mit Gen 2–3 … 395
10.6.2 Motivische Verbindungen mit Gen 4 … 397
10.6.3 Texte des Anfangs: Die Gibborim, Nimrod und die Entstehung der Völker in Babel … 400
10.6.4 Die Babelerzählung im Kontrast zur priesterlichen Sicht der Völkerwelt … 402
10.6.5 Der Ausgang der Sintflut und die Zerstreuung der Menschheit …403

10.7 STÄDTEBAU ALS SKLAVENARBEIT? BABELERZÄHLUNG UND ÄGYPTISCHE GEFANGENSCHAFT … 406

10.8 WELTREICH UND MENSCHHEIT – DIE BABELERZÄHLUNG ALS SUMME GESCHICHTLICHER ERFAHRUNG … 410

10.9 AUSWERTUNG: SUGGESTIVE HETEROGENITÄT ALS MERKMAL DER BABELERZÄHLUNG … 416

10.10 DIE FRAGE DER LITERARGESCHICHTLICHEN EINORDNUNG … 419

10.11 LITERATUR ZU K. 9 U.10 … 421

11. ABSCHLUSS … 425

REGISTER … 431
SACHREGISTER … 431
STELLENREGISTER … 437

You may also be interested to read my review, published in the Review of Biblical Literature.

Philip R. Davies, Whose Bible Is It Anyway?

Bibliographical details:
Davies, P. R. (2004). Whose Bible Is It Anyway? 2nd ed. London: T & T Clark International.

Publisher’s information:
Can religious writings make sense to any reader who does not accept the reality of the deities to which they refer? Do Christians understand the Old Testament better than the Jews understand their Bible?

The Bible, argues this book, may belong to the Church or synagogue as an instrument of religious practice, but as an object of academic study it belongs to the world as a whole, and so can function in theory and practice as a secular discourse.

Whose Bible is it Anyway? shows how a genuinely academic discourse – one that distances itself from received canons of interpretation – about biblical writings can:

• expose a subtext of deceit within the Creation narratives;
• re-conceptualize the relationship between Abraham and his deity;
• reveal lament psalms as texts of oppression; and
• identify the death of Daniel’s God.

A new chapter for this edition evaluates how the film Monty Python’s Life of Brian contributes to ‘Life of Jesus’ research.

Here is a challenge to conventional biblical scholarship and a bid to define and establish a genuine academic discipline of biblical studies.

Philip Davies is Professor of Biblical Studies at the University of Sheffield. He is well known for his publications on Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls and is author of the highly acclaimed In Search of Ancient Israel.

Table of contents:
Preface to the Second Edition … 7
Acknowledgments … 8
Abbreviations … 9

Chapter 1
About this Book … 11
Chapter 2
Two Nations, One Womb … 17
Chapter 3
What Is a Bible? … 56
Chapter 4
Who to Believe? … 81
Chapter 5
Male Bonding: A Tale of Two Buddies … 95
Chapter 6
‘Take It to the Lord in Prayer’: The Peasant’s Lament … 114
Chapter 7
Daniel Sees the Death of God … 127
Chapter 8
Life of Brian Research … 142

Bibliography … 156

You may also be interested to read the review by Dale Patrick, published in the Review of Biblical Literature.

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R. J. Coggins and J. L. Houlden (eds), A Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation

Bibliographical details:
Coggins, R. J., and J. L. Houlden, eds. (1990). A Dictionary of Biblical Interpretation. London: SCM Press.

Publisher’s information:
‘… attractively produced, and is likely to remain a standard work of its kind for a number of years to come. Preachers who do not want to be stranded on the shores of yesteryear will find much of benefit in its pages.’ (Scottish Journal of Theology)

‘A wonderful treasure store! … every library should have a copy and if you borrow one you will want to keep it for further exploration.’ (Theological Book Review)

‘… a well presented reference book, pleasing to use, for which serious students of the Scriptures will return devout thanks. The range is impressively wide … everything one could reasonably expect is included. The entries are generously cross-referenced, and each is followed by sensible suggestions for further reading. Some enthusiasts may even find the book fascinating bedside reading.’ (Methodist Recorder)

‘Only now that this volume is in our hands do we perceive that for purposes of undergraduate and seminary training this is precisely what we have longed for. It is certainly a book to use, but it is also a book to enjoy.’ (Expository Times)

R. J. Coggins and J. L. Houlden both taught at King’s College, London.

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David J. A. Clines, The Bible and the Modern World

Bibliographical details:
Clines, D. J. A. (2005). The Bible and the Modern World. Corr. ed. Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press.

Publisher’s information:
In the world of scholarship, the Bible is usually viewed as an ancient book, a product of the past, an inheritance, a heritage; it is essentially a book with origins. These lectures adopt an opposite starting point: that the Bible is in the modem world, a physical object strewn about the world of today, an in-print book that real people are reading at this very minute.

So the focus here is not on the origins of the Bible but on its reception, not on what its authors may have intended it to mean, but on what its readers today take it to mean. In conversational style, David Clines enquires after the Bible and the Academy, the Bible and Culture, the Bible and the Public, the Bible and the Church – and offers his own reflections and admonitions.

THIS IS A CORRECTED REPRINT OF THE 1997 EDITION.

David J. A. Clines is Professor of Biblical Studies in the University of Sheffield, and a noted Old Testament scholar. He is the author of The Theme of the Pentateuch, Job 1–20, What Does Eve Do to Help? and Other Readerly Questions to the Old Testament, and Interested Parties: The Ideology of Writers and Readers of the Hebrew Bible, among others, and editor of The Dictionary of Classical Hebrew.

Table of contents:
Preface … 7

Chapter 1
The Bible and the Academy … 9
Chapter 2
The Bible and Culture … 32
Chapter 3
The Bible and the Public … 57
Chapter 4
The Bible and the Church … 82

Bibliography … 102
Index … 110

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Marc Zvi Brettler, How to Read the Bible

Bibliographical details:
Brettler, M. Z. (2005). How to Read the Bible. Philadelphia, PA: Jewish Publication Society.

Publisher’s information:
In his new book, master Bible scholar and teacher Marc Brettler argues that today’s contemporary readers can only understand the ancient Hebrew scripture by knowing more about the culture that produced it. And so Brettler unpacks the literary conventions, ideological assumptions, and historical conditions that inform the biblical text and demonstrates how modern critical scholarship and archaeological discoveries shed light on this fascinating and complex literature.

Brettler surveys representative biblical texts from different genres to illustrate how modern scholars have taught us to ‘read’ these texts. Using the ‘historical-critical method’ long popular in academia, he guides us in reading the Bible as it was read in the biblical period, independent of later religious norms and interpretive traditions. Understanding the Bible this way lets us appreciate it as a fascinating text that speaks in multiple voices on profound issues.

In his afterword, the author discusses how the historical-critical method can help contemporary Jews relate to the Bible as a religious text in a more meaningful way.

‘At last, a book that successfully bridges the gap between the discoveries of biblical scholarship and the needs of contemporary readers! How to Read the Bible is an extraordinary book – both erudite and accessible.’ – Carol Meyers, Mary Grace Wilson Professor in the Department of Religion, Duke University

‘An introduction to the Hebrew Bible I can recommend with enthusiasm and confidence. Marc Brettler’s new book is a model of educational clarity, judicious discussions, and critical analysis. He is an authoritative guide into the Bible’s many genres, stylistic intricacies, and religious teachings.’ – Michael Fishbane, Nathan Cummings Professor of Jewish Studies, University of Chicago

‘Brettler offers a discussion that is explicitly and specifically concerned for Jewish faith, but his work will be instructive for others as well, especially Christians who struggle with the same issue[s]. Brettler’s contribution is a welcome one, reflecting deep learning, judicious judgment, and shrewd interpretation.’ – Walter Brueggemann, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary

‘Marc Brettler’s How to Read the Bible is a marvelous and unique introduction to the Bible for contemporary readers. In a clear and readable style Brettler helps us understand the Bible in its own context, clarifying its world view and religious sensibility and opening up the cultural context and historical background of the age in which it was born. Brettler shows the way that modern biblical scholarship can help us understand and appreciate the foundational book of Jewish civilization.’ – Barry W. Holtz, Theodore and Florence Baumritter Professor of Jewish Education, Jewish Theological Seminary

A GUIDE TO READING THE BIBLE THROUGH THE EYES OF ITS WRITERS

This book is the first ‘Jewishly sensitive’ introduction to the historical-critical method of interpreting the Bible. Unlike other such introductory texts, the Bible that this book speaks about is the Jewish one – with the three-part TANAKH arrangement, the sequence of books found in modern printed Hebrew editions, and the chapter and verse enumerations used in most modern Jewish versions.

Marc Zvi Brettler received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in Near Eastern and Judaic Studies from Brandeis University, where he is now Dora Golding Professor of Biblical Literature and chair of the Department of Near Eastern and Judaic Studies. His main areas of research are religious metaphors and the Bible, biblical historical texts, and women and the Bible. He is the author of several books and co-editor of The Jewish Study Bible.

Table of contents:
Preface … ix
Abbreviations … xiii

1. Reading as a Jew and as a Scholar … 1
2. What Is the Bible, Anyway? … 7
3. The Art of Reading the Bible … 13
4. A Brief History of Israel … 19
5. With Scissors and Paste: The Sources of Genesis … 29
6. Creation vs. Creationism: Genesis 1–3 as Myth … 37
7. The Ancestors as Heroes … 49
8. Biblical Law: Codes and Collections … 61
9. Incense Is Offensive to Me: The Cult in Ancient Israel … 73
10. ‘In the Fortieth Year … Moses Addressed the Israelites’: Deuteronomy … 85
11. ‘The Walls Came Tumbling Down’: Reading Joshua … 95
12. ‘May My Lord King David Live Forever’: Royal Ideology in Samuel and Judges … 107
13. ‘For Israel Tore Away from the House of David’: Reading Kings … 117
14. Revisionist History: Reading Chronicles … 129
15. Introduction to Prophecy … 137
16. ‘Let Justice Well Up like Water’: Reading Amos … 149
17. ‘They Shall Beat Their Swords into Plowshares’: Reading (First) Isaiah … 161
18. ‘I Will Make This House like Shiloh’: Reading Jeremiah … 173
19. ‘I Will Be for Them a Mini-Temple’: Reading Ezekiel … 185
20. ‘Comfort, Oh Comfort My People’: The Exile and Beyond … 199
21. ‘Those That Sleep in the Dust … Will Awake’: Zechariah, Apocalyptic Literature, and Daniel … 209
22. Prayer of Many Hearts: Reading Psalms … 219
23. ‘Acquire Wisdom’: Reading Proverbs and Ecclesiastes … 231
24. ‘Being But Dust and Ashes’: Reading Job … 243
25. ‘Drink Deep of Love!’: Reading Song of Songs … 257
26. ‘Why Are You So Kind … When I Am a Foreigner?’: Reading Ruth vs. Esther … 267
27. The Creation of the Bible … 273
Afterword: Reading the Bible as a Committed Jew … 279

Notes … 285
Sources Cited … 339
Index of Subjects … 361
Index of Biblical Passages and Other References … 372

You may also be interested to read the review (in French) by Pierre Keith, published in the Review of Biblical Literature.

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W. Dennis Tucker, Jr., Jonah: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text

Bibliographical details:
Tucker, W. D., Jr. (2006). Jonah: A Handbook on the Hebrew Text. Baylor Handbook on the Hebrew Bible Series. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press.

Publisher’s information:
‘In the crowded genre of biblical commentaries, this series will surely find a niche among students and pastors who need more lexical, morphological, and syntactical help than most commentaries today offer. Tucker’s volume reflects a remarkable amount of erudition and hard work, and the appearance of his volume bodes well for the series.’ – Bill T. Arnold, Asbury Theological Seminary

Dennis Tucker (Ph.D. Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Associate Professor of Christian Scriptures at George W. Truett Theological Seminary, Baylor University.

Table of contents:
Preface … xi
Abbreviations … xiii
Introduction … 1

Jonah 1:1-3 … 11
Jonah 1:4-6 … 18
Jonah 1:7-12 … 25
Jonah 1:13-16 … 39
Jonah 2:1-10 … 45
Jonah 2:11 … 61
Jonah 3:1-4 … 62
Jonah 3:5-9 … 70
Jonah 3:10 … 81
Jonah 4:1-4 … 83
Jonah 4:5-7 … 90
Jonah 4:8-11 … 96

Glossary … 105
Bibliography … 109
Author and Subject Index … 115

You may also be interested to read my review, published in the Review of Biblical Literature.

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August H. Konkel and Tremper Longman III, Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs

Bibliographical details:
Konkel, A. H., and T. Longman III. (2006). Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary, vol. 6. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House.

Table of contents:
Contributors to Volume 6 … vi
General Editor’s Preface … vii
Abbreviations … ix
Transliteration and Numbering System … xiii

Job … 1

Ecclesiastes … 251

Song of Songs … 339

 
 
 

Buy this book from Amazon. Or perhaps you may be looking for some other titles in biblical studies. Or visit the following link for further information on the Cornerstone Biblical Commentary.

Cornerstone Biblical Commentary (Tyndale House)

These evangelical commentaries are based on the New Living Translation (NLT), which is included. They are aimed at students, ministers and laypeople, who they seek to provide with exegetical and theological knowledge that enables them to better understand and apply God’s word. Commentaries feature an introduction to the biblical book that discusses the usual issues (e.g. author, date, audience, textual history, literary style, themes, theological concerns, etc.). There are outlines of the books, bibliographies, notes on the translation and the section-by-section commentary.

Old Testament volumes:

• Genesis, Exodus, John N. Oswalt and Allen P. Ross, 2008
• Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, David W. Baker, Dale A. Brueggemann and Eugene H. Merrill, 2009 (forthcoming)
• Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, August H. Konkel and Tremper Longman III, 2006
• Psalms, Proverbs, Mark D. Futato and George M. Schwab, 2009 (forthcoming)
• Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Larry L. Walker and Elmer A. Martens, 2006
• Minor Prophets: Hosea – Malachi, Andrew E. Hill and Richard D. Patterson, 2008

New Testament volumes:

• Matthew, Mark, David L. Turner and Darrell L. Bock, 2006
• Luke, Acts, Allison A. Trites and William J. Larkin, 2007
• The Gospel of John, 1–3 John, Philip W. Comfort, Wendell C. Hawley and Grant R. Osborne, 2007
• Romans, Galatians, Gerald L. Borchert and Roger Mohrlang, 2007
• Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1–2 Thessalonians, Philemon, Philip W. Comfort, Peter H. Davids and Harold W. Hoehner, 2008
• 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Hebrews, Linda Belleville, Jon Laansma and J. Ramsey Michaels, 2009 (forthcoming)

Visit the following link for information about other commentary series.

André LaCocque, Ruth: A Continental Commentary

Bibliographical details:
LaCocque, A. (2004). Ruth: A Continental Commentary, trans. K. C. Hanson. Continental Commentaries. Minneapolis: Fortress Press.

Publisher’s information:
A Socio-legal Commentary

This volume provides a readable introduction to the narrative book of Ruth appropriate for the student, pastor, and scholar. LaCocque combines historical, literary, feminist, and liberationist approaches in an engaging synthesis. He argues that the book was written in the post-exilic period and that the author was a woman. Countering the fears and xenophobia of many in Jerusalem, the biblical author employed the notion of hesed (kindness, loyalty, steadfast love), which transcends any national boundaries.

LaCocque focuses on redemption and levirate marriage as the two legal issues that recur throughout the text of Ruth. Ruth comes from the despised people of Moab but becomes a model for Israel. Boaz, converted to the model of steadfast love, becomes both redeemer and levir for Ruth and thus fulfills the Torah. In the conclusion to his study, the author sketches some parallels with Jesus’ hermeneutics of the Law as well as post-modern problems and solutions.

André LaCocque is Professor of Old Testament Emeritus at Chicago Theological Seminary. He is the author of Thinking Biblically (with Paul Ricoeur; 1998), The Feminine Unconventional (Overtures to Biblical Theology; Fortress Press, 1990), and Daniel in His Time (1988).

K. C. Hanson, the translator, is the biblical studies editor for Fortress Press. His published works include Palestine in the Time of Jesus: Social Structures and Social Conflicts with CD-ROM (with Douglas E. Oakman; 2002).

Table of contents:
Dedication … vii
Abbreviations … ix
Editor’s Foreword … xv
Preface … xvii
Translator’s Note … xix

Introduction … 1
Overview … 1
Textual Criticism … 7
Style … 8
Literary Criticism … 8
Canonicity … 18
Date … 18
Social Environment … 21
Theology … 28

Chapter 1: Ruth 1:1-22 … 33
Exile and Death in Moab (1:1-5) … 36
The Return to Judah (1:6-15) … 43
Ruth’s Great Return/Reversal (1:16-18) … 51

Chapter 2: Ruth 2:1-23 … 60
Gleaning in the Field of Boaz (2:1-17) … 61
Ruth Reports to Naomi (2:18-23) … 76

Chapter 3: Ruth 3:1-18 … 81
Naomi’s Strategy (3:1-5) … 88
The Seduction Scene (3:6-15) … 93
Ruth Reports to Naomi (3:16-18) … 104

Chapter 4: Ruth 4:1-22 … 107
The Court Session (4:1-4) … 124
Boaz’s Dangerous Gambit (4:5-12) … 129
Marriage and Birth (4:13-17) … 140
Genealogy (4:18-22) … 147

Conclusion … 151

Bibliography … 155
Scripture Index … 177
Index of Names … 185

You may also be interested to read the review by Robert Hubbard, published in the Review of Biblical Literature.

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Continental Commentaries (Augsburg Fortress)

Most of these volumes are translations of leading German commentaries from a variety of series. They are critical commentaries of a high scholarly standard, which means that they can be quite technical at times. However, because they tend to offer important theological insights, these commentaries can be of real benefit to the preacher who is prepared to go the extra mile. Some volumes in this series are acknowledged masterpieces and most have made a significant contribution to the study of the book in question.

Old Testament volumes:

• Genesis 1–11: A Continental Commentary, Claus Westermann, 1990
• Genesis 12–36: A Continental Commentary, Claus Westermann, 1986
• Genesis 37–50: A Continental Commentary, Claus Westermann, 1986
• Leviticus: A Continental Commentary, Jacob Milgrom, 2004
• Ruth: A Continental Commentary, André LaCocque, 2004
• 1 & 2 Kings: A Continental Commentary, Volkmar Fritz, 2003
• Psalms 1–59: A Continental Commentary, Hans-Joachim Kraus, 1990
• Psalms 60–150: A Continental Commentary, Hans-Joachim Kraus, 1990
• Theology of the Psalms, Hans-Joachim Kraus, 1992
• Qoheleth: A Continental Commentary, Norbert Lohfink, 2003
• Song of Songs: A Continental Commentary, Othmar Keel, 1994
• Isaiah 1–12: A Continental Commentary, Hans Wildberger, 1991
• Isaiah 13–27: A Continental Commentary, Hans Wildberger, 1997
• Isaiah 28–39: A Continental Commentary, Hans Wildberger, 2002
• Obadiah and Jonah: A Continental Commentary, Hans Walter Wolff, 1991
• Micah: A Continental Commentary, Hans Walter Wolff, 1990
• Haggai: A Continental Commentary, Hans Walter Wolff, 1990

New Testament volumes:

• Matthew 1–7: A Continental Commentary, Ulrich Luz, 1992
• Galatians: A Continental Commentary, Dieter Lührmann, 1992
• Revelation: A Continental Commentary, Jürgen Roloff, 1993

Visit the following link for information about other commentary series.

Alice Ogden Bellis, Helpmates, Harlots, and Heroes: Women’s Stories in the Hebrew Bible

Bibliographical details:
Bellis, A. O. (2007). Helpmates, Harlots, and Heroes: Women’s Stories in the Hebrew Bible. 2nd ed. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press.

Publisher’s information:
‘In this significantly updated second edition, Alice Ogden Bellis continues to provide a broad and balanced sampling of feminist interpretations of the sweep of women characters in the Old Testament and Apocrypha. Usable both in academic settings and in churches, the revision features greater attention to womanist scholarship, more of Bellis’s own voice, helpful discussion questions, and a massive topical bibliography useful for teachers and students.’ – Katharine Doob Sakenfeld, William Albright Eisenberger Professor of Old Testament Literature and Exegesis, Princeton Theological Seminary

‘The fact that this book focuses on biblical stories about women, that it collects them all in one volume, paraphrases and then interprets them from multiple and diverse scholars reveals the complexity of feminist and womanist interpretation, highlights the benefits and problems of the stories for contemporary women and, implicitly at least, shows the power and the danger of stories in their polyvalence of meaning. This book is worth buying for the bibliography and notes alone.’ – Kathleen M. O’Connor, William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament, Columbia Theological Seminary, in praise of the first edition

In this one-of-a-kind book, now revised and updated, Alice Ogden Bellis shares the work of feminist and womanist biblical scholars. Examining women’s stories in the Hebrew Bible, Bellis shows how different feminist and womanist scholars have interpreted these texts – texts that have profoundly affected how women understand themselves in recent decades.

Alice Ogden Bellis is Professor of Old Testament Language and Literature at Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, D.C.

Table of contents:
Preface … ix
Abbreviations … xi

Part 1: Background … 1
1. Introduction … 3

Part 2: A Story about Stories … 35
2. The Story of Eve … 37
3. The Women in Genesis … 57
4. The Women in Exodus and Numbers … 83
5. The Women in Joshua and Judges … 98
6. The Women in 1 and 2 Samuel … 123
7. The Women in 1 and 2 Kings … 139
8. The Women in the Prophets … 156
9. The Women in the Wisdom Literature and the Song of Songs … 170
10. Subversive Women in Subversive Books: Ruth, Esther, Susanna, and Judith … 183

Part 3: Reflections … 203
11. Summary and Conclusions … 205

Notes … 217
Bibliography … 247
Suggestions for Use in Religious Education Classes … 305

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Miriam von Nordheim, Geboren von der Morgenröte? Psalm 110 in Tradition, Redaktion und Rezeption

Bibliographical details:
Nordheim, M. von. (2008). Geboren von der Morgenröte? Psalm 110 in Tradition, Redaktion und Rezeption. Wissenschaftliche Monographien zum Alten und Neuen Testament, vol. 117. Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag.

Publisher’s information:
Ps 110 – ein sog. Königspsalm – erfuhr in seiner Auslegung Sinnverschiebungen. Dies wird vor allem an V. 3 deutlich, der im uns vorliegenden hebräischen Text vom »Tau deiner Jugend« redet, die Septuaginta hingegen von der Geburt eines Königs »aus dem Mutterleib vor dem Morgenstern«. Die Studie versucht, sowohl den vorliegenden hebräischen Text nach seinen theologischen Intentionen zu befragen als auch seine Rezeptions- und Auslegungsgeschichte zu verfolgen. Ziel ist es, Entwicklungslinien aufzeigen, wann der Psalm welche Aussage bekam. Gerade die Wirkungsgeschichte soll nicht vernachlässigt werden, denn sie bietet ein facettenreiches Nebeneinander verschiedener Deutungen.

Miriam von Nordheim, geb. 1975, Dr. theol., Studium von Latein und Geschichte in Würzburg, der Evangelischen Theologie in Heidelberg und Marburg sowie der Judaistik an der Hebräischen Universität in Jerusalem, ist seit 2006 wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Fachbereich Evangelische Theologie am dortigen Lehrstuhl für Altes Testament.

Table of contents:
Vorwort … VII

1    Einleitung … 1

2    Darstellung der Forschungsgeschichte … 5
2.1    Zu Psalm 110 … 5
2.2    Die Gattung „Königspsalmen” … 18
2.3    Fazit … 21

Hauptteil A: Literarische Analyse

3    Die masoretische Gestalt von Psalm 110 … 23
3.1    Der masoretische Text … 23
3.2    Beobachtungen zum Sprach- and Motivschatz … 33
3.3    Beobachtungen zur Poetologie … 35
3.4    Gliederung and Aufbau des masoretischen Textes … 40
3.5    Übersetzung des masoretischen Textes … 43
3.6    Auswertung … 44

4    Traditionsgeschichtliche Untersuchung zu Psalm 110 … 47
4.1    Die „prophetische” Einleitungsformel … 48
4.2    Erhöhungsmotive des Königs … 53
4.2.1    Zur Rechten sitzen/sein … 54
4.2.2    Feinde als Fußschemel … 57
4.2.3    Herrscherstab/Stab der Macht … 60

4.3    Theologische Motive … 64
4.3.1    Der Gottesberg/Zion … 64
4.3.2    JHWH hat geschworen and es wird ihn nicht reuen … 67
4.3.3    Tag des Zorns Gottes … 73

4.4    Kampfmotivik … 76
4.5    Motiv and Bedeutung von: mrchm mshchr lch tl yldtych … 80
4.6    Motiv and Bedeutung von „Melchisedek” … 91
4.7    Motiv and Bedeutung von V.7: „Aus einem Bach am Weg wird er (daraufhin) trinken, deshalb wird er den Kopf erheben” … 99
4.8    Zusammenfassung … 112

5    Schlussfolgerungen der literarischen Analyse … 117
5.1    Literarkritische Entscheidungen … 117
5.2    Vergleichende Darstellung von Psalm 110 mit Jes 14 … 119
5.3    Synoptischer Vergleich von Psalm 110 mit ausgewählten Liedern … 123
5.4    Gliederung and Übersetzung von Psalm 110* … 127
5.4.1    Text and Gliederung von Psalm 110* … 127
5.4.2    Übersetzung von Psalm 110* … 130

5.5    Gattung and „Sitz im Leben” von Psalm 110* … 130
5.6    Entstehungssituation von Psalm 110 … 134

Hauptteil B: Innerbiblische Exegese

6    Vorüberlegungen zur innerbiblischen Exegese … 143
6.1    Redaktionsstufe 1: Psalm 110 im Kontext des hebräischen Psalters … 145
6.1.1    Kurze Hinführung zur sogenannten „Psalterexegese” … 145
6.1.2    Psalm 110 and seine Stellung im 5. Psalmbuch … 146
6.1.3    Die Arbeitshypothese zur kanonischen Psalmenauslegung nach N. Lohfink … 149
6.1.4    Fazit … 155
6.1.5    Die Psalmen 89 and 132 … 156

6.2    Redaktionsstufe 2: Psalm 110 im Kontext der hebräischen Bibel … 157
6.2.1    Ps 110 and die Nathanweissagung … 157
6.2.2    Das neue Thema: „JHWH wird es nicht reuen” … 158
6.2.3    Fazit … 163

6.3    Redaktionsstufe 3: Die masoretische Punktation … 165
6.4    Auswertung … 168

Hauptteil C: Rezeption and jüdische Auslegung von Psalm 110

7    Die antiken Bibelübersetzungen … 171
7.1    Die LXX-Übersetzung von Psalm 110 … 171
7.1.1    Einleitung … 171
7.1.2    Der Text … 172
7.1.3    Aufbau and Gliederung … 180
7.1.4    Ek gastros pro eosphorou exegennesa se … 183
7.1.5    Verknüpfung mit anderen Texten in der LXX … 185
7.1.6    Auswertung … 193

7.2    Die aramäische Übersetzung von Psalm 110 im Targum … 197
7.2.1    Einleitung … 197
7.2.2    Der Text … 198
7.2.3    Auswertung … 204

7.3    Die syrische Übersetzung von Psalm 110 in der Peschitta … 206
7.3.1    Einleitung … 206
7.3.2    Der Text … 206
7.3.3    Auswertung … 209

7.4    Die lateinischen Versionen von Psalm 110 … 210
7.4.1    Einleitung … 210
7.4.2    Die Texte … 211
7.4.3    Auswertung … 216

7.5    Die Intentionen der antiken Bibelübersetzungen – ein Fazit … 217

8    Psalm 110 im Kontext jüdischer Schriften in hellenistisch-römischer Zeit … 221
8.1    Die hasmonäische Rezeption von Psalm 110 in Jerusalem … 221
8.1.1    Religionsgeschichtliche Einordnung … 221
8.1.2    I Makk 14,41f. … 224
8.1.3    AssMos 6,1 … 227
8.1.4    Jub 32,1 … 229
8.1.5    TestLev 8 and 18 … 230
8.1.6    Auswertung … 234

8.2    Psalm 110 and die in Qumran gefundenen Schriften … 235
8.2.1    Genesis-Apokryphon Kol. XXII … 237
8.2.2    4QAmram … 238
8.2.3    11 QMelch … 240
8.2.4    TestLev and die „Worte Levis” (aramäischer Levi) in Qumran … 264
8.2.5    Auswertung … 265
8.2.6    Alttestamentliche Königstexte in qumranischen Schriften … 267

8.3    Psalm 110 and sein motivgeschichtliches Umfeld in nicht-kanonischer Literatur aus hellenistisch-römischer Zeit – ein Fazit … 272

9    Rezeption and Auslegung von Psalm 110 in spätantiker and mittelalterlicher jüdischer Tradition … 275
9.1    Einleitung … 275
9.2    Leitfrage 1: An wen richtet sich Psalm 110? … 278
9.2.1    Im babylonischen Talmud … 278
9.2.2    In den Midraschim … 280
9.2.3    Bei Saadja Gaon … 284
9.2.4    Bei Jefet ben Eli … 284
9.2.5    Bei den hochmittelalterlichen Grammatikern … 285

9.3    Leitfrage 2: Wie wird mit dem Motiv der göttlichen Geburt im ursprünglichen Vers 3 umgegangen? … 287
9.3.1    Im Jerusalemer Talmud … 287
9.3.2    In den Midraschim … 288
9.3.3    Bei Saadja Gaon … 290
9.3.4    Bei Jefet ben Eli … 290
9.3.5    Bei den hochmittelalterlichen Grammatikern … 291

9.4    Auswertung … 293

10    Ausblick: Psalm 110 and seine Wirkung im Neuen Testament … 299

11    Schlussinterpretation … 307

12    Literatur … 311

Stellenregister (Auswahl) … 331
Namen- and Sachregister (Auswahl) … 339

See also my forthcoming review of this book (in English), which will be published in the Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 33.5 (2009) and the Society for Old Testament Study Book List 2009.

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Peter Riede, Vom Erbarmen zum Gericht: Die Visionen des Amosbuches (Am 7–9*) und ihr literatur- und traditionsgeschichtlicher Zusammenhang

Bibliographical details:
Riede, P. (2008). Vom Erbarmen zum Gericht: Die Visionen des Amosbuches (Am 7–9*) und ihr literatur- und traditionsgeschichtlicher Zusammenhang. Wissenschaftliche Monographien zum Alten und Neuen Testament, vol. 120. Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener Verlag.

Publisher’s information:
Die Visionen des Amosbuches entfalten in fünf Bildern des Unheils eine stetig wachsende Bedrohung. Gleichzeitig führen sie verschiedene Stadien der Begegnung zwischen Gott und Prophet vor Augen. Erreicht der Prophet in den ersten beiden Visionen durch sein Einschreiten eine Zurücknahme des Unheils, so enden die dritte und die vierte mit einem Gerichtswort. Die fünfte Vision schließlich zeigt, wie das Gericht eintritt. Ziel der Studie ist es, die kompositionellen, motiv- und traditionsgeschichtlichen Zusammenhänge des Visionszyklus herauszuarbeiten.

Peter Riede, geb. 1960, Dr. theol., Studium der Evangelischen Theologie in Tübingen, Bern und Heidelberg, 1998 Promotion, 2005 Habilitation, ist Privatdozent an der Evangelisch-Theologischen Fakultät der Universität Tübingen.

Table of contents:
Vorwort … V

Einleitung … 1
A) Das Problem … 1
B) Zum Stand der Forschung … 4
I. Kompositions- und redaktionskritische Modelle … 4
1. Einheitsmodelle … 4
2. Wachstumsmodelle … 11

II. Motiv-, traditions- und religionsgeschichtliche Modelle … 17
1. Motiv- und traditionsgeschichtliche Modelle … 17
2. Religionsgeschichtliche Modelle … 19

III. Rezeptionsgeschichtliche Modelle … 20
IV. Fazit … 22

C) Zur Methode und zum Aufbau der Arbeit … 22

Erster Teil: Die Visionen 1–4 … 27

A) Text, Komposition und Sprache … 27
I. Übersetzung und Textkritik von Am 7,1-3.4-6.7f[.9]; 8,1f[.3] … 27
II. Aufbau, Sprache und Einheitlichkeit … 28
III. Zusammenfassung … 32

B) Traditions-, Religions- und Motivgeschichte der Visionen 1 und 2 … 32
I. Heuschrecken und Feuer – die Bilder der Visionen 1 und 2 … 32
1. Die Visionseinleitung: „So ließ mich mein Herr JHWH schauen“ (Am 7,1aα) … 32
2. Das Bild der ersten Vision … 34
3. Das Bild der zweiten Vision … 57
4. Fazit … 79

II. Die Fürbitte des Amos (Am 7,2aβ-b.5) … 83
1. Zur Semantik von slch … 84
2. Zur Semantik von chdl … 88
3. Die Begründung für die Fürbitte … 89
4. Zur Herkunft der Bitten … 95

III. Die Reaktion JHWHs (Am 7,3.6) … 100
1. Zur Semantik von nchm … 100
2. JHWHs Rücknahme des Vernichtungsbeschlusses … 103

IV. Zusammenfassung … 103

C) Traditions-, Religions- und Motivgeschichte der Visionen 3 und 4 … 105
I. Zinn und Erntekorb – die Bilder der Visionen 3 und 4 … 105
1. Das Bild der dritten Vision … 105
2. Das Bild der vierten Vision … 133
3. Fazit … 146

II. Der Dialog zwischen JHWH und Amos (Am 7,8a; 8,2a) … 148
III. JHWHs Schlußurteil: „Nicht werde ich länger vorübergehen an ihm“ (Am 7,8bγ; 8,2bγ) … 149
IV. Zusammenfassung … 156

D) Konkretionen des göttlichen Vernichtungshandelns in den Fortschreibungen Am 7,9 und 8,3 … 157
I. Am 7,9 … 157
II. Am 8,3 … 160
III. Folgerungen … 168

Zweiter Teil: Die Vision 5 … 169

A) Text, Komposition und Sprache … 169
I. Übersetzung und Textkritik von Am 9,1-4 … 169
II. Aufbau, Sprache und Einheitlichkeit … 171
III. Zusammenfassung … 181

B) Traditions-, Religions- und Motivgeschichte der Vision 5 … 182
I. Das Bild der fünften Vision … 182
1. Visionseinleitung und Visionsinhalt (Am 9,1aα) … 182
2. Der erste Auftrag JHWHs: Erschütterung des Tempels (Am 9,1aβ) … 190
3. Der zweite Auftrag JHWHs: „Schneide sie ab an ihrer aller Haupt!“ (Am 9,1 aγ) … 208
4. Das Vernichtungshandeln JHWHs (Am 9,1aδ) … 236
5. Die Folge: Unmöglichkeit der Flucht (Am 9,1b) … 240

II. Konkretion: Keinerlei Fluchtziele (Am 9,2-4a) … 243
1. Sprachliche Beobachtungen … 243
2. Die Fluchtpunkte im einzelnen … 246

III. JHWHs Schlußurteil: „Ich werde mein Auge auf sie richten zum Bösen und nicht zum Guten“ (Am 9,4b) … 276
IV. Zusammenfassung … 277

Dritter Teil: Die Deutung der Amosvisionen in Am 7,10-17 und 8,4-14 … 283

A) Am 7,10-17 … 283
B) Am 8,4-14 … 294
I. Am 8,4-8 … 297
II. Am 8,9f … 300
III. Am 8,11f … 301
IV. Am 8,13f … 302
C) Zusammenfassung … 303

Ergebnis … 305

A) Kompositionsgeschichtliche Beobachtungen … 305
B) Redaktionsgeschichtliche Beobachtungen … 309
C) Traditions- und religionsgeschichtliche Beobachtungen … 313
I. Das Weltbild der Visionen … 313
II. Das Gottesbild der Visionen … 319
III. Das Prophetenbild der Visionen … 323
IV. Das Israelbild der Visionen … 325

D) Die Amosvisionen und die Betheler Tempeltheologie … 328
E) Die Deutung der Amosvisionen in den Fortschreibungen … 330
F) Zum Sinn und zur Wirkabsicht prophetischer Gerichtsverkündigung … 332

Abkürzungen … 336

Literatur … 337

Abbildungsnachweis … 364

Register … 365
Sachregister … 365
Stellenregister (Auswahl) … 369
Wortregister … 372

See also my forthcoming review of this book (in English), which will be published in the Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 33.5 (2009) and the Society for Old Testament Study Book List 2009.

Richard A. Norris Jr., The Song of Songs: Interpreted by Early Christian and Medieval Commentators

Bibliographical details:
Norris, R. A. J., ed. and trans. (2003). The Song of Songs: Interpreted by Early Christian and Medieval Commentators. The Church’s Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.

Publisher’s information:
The Song of Songs, traditionally attributed to Solomon, is a collection of lyrics that celebrate in earthly terms the love of a bridegroom and a bride. Throughout the course of early Christian history, the Song of Songs was widely read as an allegory of the love of Christ both for the church and for its individual members. In reading the Song this way, Christians were following in the steps of Jewish exegetes who saw the Song as celebrating the love of God for Israel.

In The Song of Songs, the inaugural volume of The Church’s Bible, Richard A. Norris Jr. uses commentaries and sermons from the church’s first millennium to illustrate the original Christian understanding of Solomon’s beautiful poem. In recent times, the Song of Songs has been more a focus of literary than of religious interest, but Norris’s work shows that for early Christians, this text was counted, with the Psalms and the Gospels, among those Scriptures that touched most deeply on the believer’s relation to God.

Drawing on his wide knowledge of early church history, Norris has selected passages from representative early Christian interpreters, translated them into idiomatic English, and arranged them as verse-by-verse comments on the biblical text. The Christian voices gathered here include Origen, Gregory of Nyssa, Ambrose of Milan, Augustine of Hippo, Cyril of Alexandria, Gregory the Great, Bede the Venerable, William of St. Thierry, Bernard of Clairvaux, and many more. In addition, Norris offers fresh translations not only of the scriptural texts of both the Septuagint and the Vulgate but also of all the original sources used by the early commentators themselves. He also provides introductions to each passage, highlighting how many of the best minds in Christian history went about the task of biblical interpretation and pointing out items of note in their respective views.

All in all, Norris’s Song of Songs is a masterful work that aptly acquaints contemporary readers with the church’s traditional way of discerning in this text a guide to the character of Christian belief and life. This volume – and the entire Church’s Bible series – will be welcomed by preachers, teachers, students, and general readers alike.

Richard A. Norris Jr. is Professor Emeritus of Church History at Union Theological
Seminary, New York City, Priest Associate of the Church of St. Ignatius of Antioch (Manhattan), and Diocesan Canon in the Diocese of New York. He has taught and written extensively on the history and development of doctrine in the early church. His major publications in the field include God and World in Early Christian Theology and The Christological Controversy.

Table of contents:
Series Preface … vii
Acknowledgments … ix
Interpreting the Old Testament … x
Introduction to the Song of Songs … xvii

Prefaces and Title (Song 1:1) … 1
Song 1:2-4 … 19
Song 1:5-8 … 37
Song 1:8-12a … 54
Song 1:12b-14 … 71
Song 1:15-17 … 80
Song 2:1-2 … 90
Song 2:3-7 … 98
Song 2:8-17 … 114
Song 3:1-5 … 134
Song 3:6-11 … 145
Song 4:1-8 … 154
Song 4:9-15 … 176
Song 4:16–5:1 … 188
Song 5:2-8 … 195
Song 5:9-16 … 209
Song 6:1-3 … 227
Song 6:4-9 … 232
Song 6:10–7:1 … 242
Song 7:2-10 … 253
Song 7:11-14 … 266
Song 8:1-4 … 273
Song 8:5-10 … 279
Song 8:11-14 … 292

APPENDIX 1: Authors of Works Excerpted … 298
APPENDIX 2: Sources of Texts Translated … 303

Index of Subjects … 311
Index of Names … 316
Index of Scripture … 318

You may also be interested to read the reviews by Athalya Brenner and Stephen Von Wyrick, both published in the Review of Biblical Literature.

Buy this book from Amazon. Or perhaps you may be looking for some other titles in biblical studies. Or visit the following link for further information on The Church’s Bible.

The Church’s Bible (Eerdmans)

This relatively new series seeks to make the richness of the church’s classical tradition of biblical interpretation available to modern readers. In contrast to the Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture published by IVP (see above), the Church’s Bible series offers quite extensive excerpts from early and medieval commentaries and sermon series. For each biblical passage, the editors offer translations from the Septuagint and Vulgate (the versions used by early and medieval commentators), a brief introduction to the passage and its interpretation as well as the excerpts from ancient commentators mentioned above. The publishers point out that the volumes are aimed at clergy, Bible teachers and all serious students of Scripture.

Old Testament volumes:

• The Song of Songs: Interpreted by Early Christian and Medieval Commentators, Richard A. Norris Jr., 2003
• Isaiah: Interpreted by Early Christian and Medieval Commentators, Robert Louis Wilken, 2007

New Testament volumes:

• 1 Corinthians: Interpreted by Early Christian Commentators, Judith L. Kovacs, 2005

Visit the following link for information about other commentary series.

Blackwell Bible Commentaries (Blackwell)

This is a fairly new, innovative series, which is devoted especially to the ‘reception history’ of the biblical books. Thus it looks at the way the Bible down the ages has been – and still is – used in hymns, sermons, official church statements and the like; it considers its role in the evolution of religious beliefs and practices, the way it has influenced social and political developments and its influence on literature, music and the arts. The underlying premise is ‘that how people have interpreted, and been influenced by, a sacred text like the Bible is often as interesting and historically important as what it originally meant’.

Old Testament volumes:

• Exodus through the Centuries, Scott Langston, 2005
• Judges through the Centuries, David M. Gunn, 2004
• Esther through the Centuries, Jo Carruthers, 2007
• Psalms through the Centuries, Susan Gillingham, 2007
• Ecclesiastes through the Centuries, Eric Christianson, 2006

New Testament volumes:

• John through the Centuries, Mark Edwards, 2003
• Galatians through the Centuries, John Riches, 2007
• The Pastoral Epistles through the Centuries, Jay Twomey, 2008
• Revelation through the Centuries, Judith Kovacs and Christopher Rowland, 2003

Detailed information about these commentaries is available on the Blackwell Bible Commentaries website; or visit the following link for information about other commentary series.

Morna D. Hooker, A Commentary on the Gospel according to St Mark

Bibliographical details:
Hooker, M. D. (2001). A Commentary on the Gospel According to St Mark. Black’s New Testament Commentaries. A & C Black, 1981. Reprint. London: Continuum.

Publisher’s information:

St Mark’s Gospel is among the earliest records about Jesus of Nazareth. This commentary focuses primarily on the problem of understanding what Mark himself intended to convey to his readers when he set out to write ‘the good news of Jesus Christ’. There is an examination of information in the gospel about the historical Jesus, about the early Christian community and about Mark’s theological concerns. There is, also, consideration of the sources for the Gospel, of the traditions behind it and of interventions by editors.

Professor Hooker’s new commentary takes account of the many late twentieth-century Markan studies and comes with her own translation of the Gospel. References to Greek sources are included but do not require a knowledge of Greek.

Table of contents:
Preface … vii
Abbreviations … viii

Introduction … 1
Analysis of the Gospel According to Mark … 27
Map … 30
Translation and commentary … 31
Additional Notes
The Baptism of John … 39
The Kingdom of God … 55
The Messianic Secret … 66
Miracles … 71
The Son of Man … 88
Parables … 120
Introductory note to Mark 13 … 297
Mark’s ending … 391

Selected bibliography … 395
Biblical and other texts … 395
Literature on St Mark and related topics … 398

Index of authors … 407
Subject index … 411
Index of Ancient Sources … 415

Buy this book from Amazon. Or perhaps you may be looking for some other titles in biblical studies. Or visit the following link for further information on Black’s New Testament Commentaries.

Black’s/Harper’s New Testament Commentaries (Continuum/Hendrickson)

This series aims to offer reliable and enlightening exposition of the New Testament for the modern reader. Basing their remarks on their own fresh translations, authors introduce the historical, literary and theological backgrounds of the New Testament books, before providing a verse-by-verse exposition. Key terms and phrases from the translation are highlighted in the commentary discussion, which does not require knowledge of Greek, as Greek terms are generally explained. There are some excellent commentaries in this series.

Volumes:

• A Commentary on the Gospel according to St Matthew, Floyd V. Filson, 1960 (2nd ed., 1971)
• A Commentary on the Gospel according to St Mark, Sherman E. Johnson, 1960 (2nd ed., 1972)
• A Commentary on the Gospel according to St Mark, Morna D. Hooker, 1981
• A Commentary on the Gospel according to St Luke, A. R. C. Leaney, 1958 (2nd ed., 1966)
• A Commentary on the Gospel according to St John, J. N. Sanders, 1968
• The Gospel according to Saint John, Andrew T. Lincoln, 2005
• A Commentary on the Acts of the Apostles, C. S. C. Williams, 1957 (2nd ed., 1964)
• A commentary on the Epistle to the Romans, C. K. Barrett, 1957 (2nd ed., 1991)
• A Commentary on the First Epistle to the Corinthians, C. K. Barrett, 1968 (2nd ed., 1971)
• A Commentary on the Second Epistle to the Corinthians, C. K. Barrett, 1973
• A Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians, James D. G. Dunn, 1993
• A Commentary on the Epistle to the Ephesians, John Muddiman, 2001
• A Commentary on the Epistle to the Philippians, F. W. Beare, 1959, (2nd ed., 1969; 3rd ed., 1973)
• A Commentary on the Epistle to the Philippians, Markus Bockmuehl, 1997
• A Commentary on the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians, Ernest Best, 1972
• A Commentary on the Pastoral Epistles: I Timothy, II Timothy, Titus, J. N. D. Kelly, 1963
• A Commentary on the Epistle of James, Sophie Laws, 1980
• A Commentary on the Epistles of Peter and of Jude, J. N. D. Kelly, 1969
• A Commentary on the Johannine Epistles, J. L. Houlden, 1973 (2nd ed., 1994)
• A Commentary on the Revelation of St John the Divine, G. B. Caird, 1966 (2nd ed., 1984)
• The Revelation of Saint John, Ian Boxall, 2006

These commentaries were originally published by A. & C. Black in the UK and Harper and Row in the USA (hence the names of the series). The current publishers are Continuum in the UK and Hendrickson in the USA. Some of the older volumes are now out of print.

Visit the following link for information about other commentary series.

Joel B. Green, Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture

Bibliographical details:
Green, J. B. (2007). Seized by Truth: Reading the Bible as Scripture. Nashville: Abingdon Press.

Publisher’s information:
We read the Bible and interpret Scripture in order to live in grace-filled relation to God’s divine purpose.

Joel Green takes seriously the faith statement that the Bible is our Book; these scriptures are our Scripture. We are not reading someone else’s mail. Scripture does not present us with texts to be mastered but with a Word, God’s Word, intent on mastering us, on shaping our lives.

‘Addressing such critical issues as the aims and assumptions in and about Scripture, methods for reading and approaching the Bible, and the authority of Scripture, Joel Green provides an indispensable guide for all of us. Written with clarity and passion, this book provides insights into the world of the Bible, its authors, and our faith. Pastors and church leaders will benefit greatly from reading this volume and applying its insights and lessons in their preaching and teaching across the church.’ – Larry M. Goodpaster, Resident Bishop, Alabama-West Florida Conference, The United Methodist Church

‘In this succinct, readable, and compelling book on the “first things” of biblical interpretation, Joel Green seeks to move us beyond and behind methods (without discounting them) to dispositions that can allow the Bible as Scripture to form us as we inhabit its world and story. This book, like Scripture, should be read, marked, and inwardly digested by all who study, preach, or teach the Scriptures.’ – Michael J. Gorman, St. Mary’s Seminary and University, Baltimore

‘Seeking to overcome the crisis of credibility that attends the scholarly reading of Scripture, Joel Green here offers a compelling account of how the resources of biblical scholarship may be pressed into the service of faithful reading. To the academy Green sets the challenge of allowing the divine voice of the Bible to be heard, and to the Christian community, called into being by that divine voice, Green offers sage advice on how best to draw upon the resources that scholarship has to offer.’ – Murray Rae, University of Otago, New Zealand

Joel B. Green is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky.

Table of contents:
Acknowledgments … vii

1. Reading the Bible, Reading Scripture … 1
2. Aims and Assumptions … 27
3. Resources … 63
4. Methods … 103
5. Authority … 143

Notes … 175

See also my forthcoming review of this book, which will be published in Evangelical Quarterly.

Buy this book from Amazon. Or perhaps you may be looking for some other titles in biblical studies.