Information on major Old and New Testament commentary series added

I have just added a page containing some information on most of the major Old and New Testament commentary series published in English. I might develop this over time, either by adding additional series or by providing more extensive descriptions, but I hope this is of some use as it is at the moment. Click here to get to my introduction to the commentary series.

Update: Review of 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 …

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Coming Soon: J. Gordon McConville, The Prophets

Details will be added soon …

James Limburg, Jonah: A Commentary

Bibliographical details:
Limburg, J. (1993). Jonah: A Commentary. Old Testament Library. London: SCM Press.

Publisher’s information:
‘The Book of Jonah,’ Professor Limburg points out, ‘has never been the exclusive property of theologians or members of religious communities. The incident involving the prophet and the great fish has captured the imagination of poets and novelists, painters and dramatists, sculptors and songwriters, architects and toy makers, to a degree matched by few stories in or out of the Bible. The aim of this commentary is to explain the biblical book of Jonah and to indicate its importance for our own time. In carrying out this assignment, I have learned much from theologians who have written on this book. However, I have also learned from other less traditional interpreters of Jonah.’

The commentary is framed on the one side by an introduction discussing Jonah among the prophetic books; Jonah as a didactic story; its date, composition and theological themes; on the other by studies of Jonah in the apocryphal and deutero-canonical books; Jonah in literature from the first centuries of the Common Era; Jonah in Judaism and Islam; and Jonah in the Reformers.

James Limburg is Professor of Old Testament at Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota.

Table of contents:
Preface … 9
Acknowledgments … 11
Abbreviations … 13
Selected Bibliography … 15

Introduction … 19
Jonah Among the Prophetic Books … 19
Jonah as Didactic Story … 22
Date, Composition, and Text … 28
Theological Themes … 33
Approach and Suggestions for Using the Commentary … 36

Commentary … 37

Appendix … 99
1. Jonah in the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books … 99
2. Jonah in the Literature from the First Century A.D. … 100
3. Jonah in Judaism … 104
4. Jonah in Islam … 113
5. Jonah and the Reformers … 118

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John H. Walton, Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible

Bibliographical details:
Walton, J. H. (2007). Ancient Near Eastern Thought and the Old Testament: Introducing the Conceptual World of the Hebrew Bible. Nottingham: Apollos.

Publisher’s information:
Much of the Old Testament can seem strange to contemporary readers. However, as we begin to understand how ancient people viewed the world, the Old Testament becomes more clearly a book that stands within its ancient context, while also speaking against it.

John Walton offers a thoughtful introduction to ancient Near Eastern literature and the ‘common cognitive environment’ that it provides for understanding the world of ancient Israel. After surveying types of literature, he considers the perspectives they offer on beliefs about gods, religion, the cosmos, people and history. Throughout, helpful sidebars focus on Old Testament interpretation to illuminate the continuities and discontinuities between the Israelites and their neighbours.

Walton suggests that there are three important roles that comparative studies can play in biblical interpretation: critical analysis, defence of the biblical text, and exegesis. He focuses particularly on the third aspect and its importance for preventing misinterpretation through the imposition of modern world-views.

This volume provides an excellent introduction to the field of comparative studies, and will be an important guide for all those who want to make use of extrabiblical resources to enrich their understanding of ancient Israel and its Scriptures.

‘John Walton has produced an important and useful guide to entering into some of the major worldviews and value systems found in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Israel. As a unique contribution to the study of that era, his work both introduces readers to that thought world and bridges the gaps between ancient Near Eastern texts and the perspectives of the Bible. Walton’s engaging style makes this an ideal introductory text for these important areas of Bible backgrounds.’ – Richard S. Hess, Professor of Old Testament and Semitic Languages, Denver Seminary

John H. Walton (PhD Hebrew Union College) is Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. He is the author or editor of numerous books, including A Survey of the Old Testament, Old Testament Today, and The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament.

Table of contents:
List of Illustrations … 7
Acknowledgments … 9
Abbreviations … 10

Part 1 Comparative Studies
1 History and Methods … 15
2 Comparative Studies, Scholarship, and Theology … 29

Part 2 Literature of the Ancient Near East
3 Summary of the Literature of the Ancient Near East … 43

Part 3 Religion
4 The Gods … 87
5 Temples and Rituals … 113
6 State and Family Religion … 135

Part 4 Cosmos
7 Cosmic Geography … 165
8 Cosmology and Cosmogony … 179

Part 5 People
9 Understanding the Past: Human Origins and Role … 203
10 Understanding the Past: Historiography … 217
11 Encountering the Present: Guidance for Life – Divination and Omens … 239
12 Encountering the Present: Context of Life – Cities and Kingship … 275
13 Encountering the Present: Guidelines for Life – Law and Wisdom … 287
14 Pondering the Future on Earth and after Death … 313

Appendix … 335
Bibliography … 343
Scripture Index … 351
Foreign Words Index … 354
Modern Author Index … 356
Ancient Literature Index … 361
Subject Index … 364

Review to follow …

For further information, you might also be interested in the following reviews by:

• Peter Enns, published on his blog a time to tear down ¦ A time to Build Up or
• Alan Lenzi, published in the Review of Biblical Literature.

A click on the author’s name will take you to the review.

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Louis Jonker and Douglas Lawrie, Fishing for Jonah (Anew): Various Approaches to Biblical Interpretation

Bibliographical details:
Jonker, L., and D. Lawrie, eds. (2005). Fishing for Jonah (Anew): Various Approaches to Biblical Interpretation. Study Guides in Religion and Theology, vol. 7. Stellenbosch: SUN Press.

Publisher’s information:
Fishing for Jonah (anew) introduces students of theology to a wide range of approaches or ‘methods’ in biblical interpretation, drawing on the book of Jonah for illustrations. This thoroughly revised version of Fishing for Jonah (Conradie, Jonker, Lawrie & Arendse 1992) represents both a contraction and an expansion compared to its predecessor. The elementary introduction to the theory of interpretation in Sections A and B of the previous book is now dealt with in Angling for Interpretation (Conradie & Jonker 2001), and theological hermeneutics, briefly touched on in Section D of the previous book, will become the topic of Hooked on Hermeneutics (Conradie & Smit, in preparation). On the other hand, Fishing for Jonah (anew) contains a number of new chapters and revised and expanded versions of the chapters that appeared in the previous book. The chapters are ordered so as to give readers a rough picture of the history of biblical interpretation and of the debates and problems that have shaped it. In the view of the editors, this history is not simply a story of dawning enlightenment or of decline from a pure origin. It is, instead, the story of an ongoing struggle to make sense of the Bible and of insights gained, used, abused and sometimes regained. To such a story there can be no absolute conclusion. We can neither accept one of the approaches we have inherited as a final answer, nor can we start with a clean slate. We have to read the Bible with our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers. This book introduces some of the voices to which we have to give a hearing when we seek to ‘read in community’.

Dr. Louis Jonker Is Senior Lecturer in the Department Old and New Testament, Stellenbosch University. He teaches Old Testament, and has specialized in Exegetical Methodology and Biblical Hermeneutics.

Douglas Lawrie is Associate Professor in the Department of Religion and Theology at the University of the Western Cape, where he teaches Old Testament, Rhetoric and Homiletics.

Table of contents:
CHAPTER 1: Introduction … 1
1.1 The purpose of this book … 1
1.2 The spiral of interpretation … 2
1.3 The structure of Fishing for Jonah (anew) … 4

CHAPTER 2: Classical strategies of interpretation … 7
2.1 Introduction … 7
2.2 Allegorical interpretation … 7
2.3 Typological interpretation … 11
2.4 Rabbinical (midrash) interpretation … 13

CHAPTER 3: A modern era emerges … 17
3.1 Introduction … 17
3.2 Historical-grammatical approach … 18
3.3 Historical-rationalist interpretation … 22
3.4 Historical-literal interpretation … 24

CHAPTER 4: Approaches focusing on the production of texts … 27
4.1 Introduction … 27
4.2 Historical-critical approaches … 29
4.3 Canonical criticism … 45
4.4 Cultural-anthropological approaches … 47
4.5 Socio-rhetorical criticism … 58

CHAPTER 5: Approaches focusing on the texts themselves … 67
5.1 Introduction … 67
5.2 New Criticism and related approaches … 72
5.3 Structuralist approaches … 78
5.4 Narrative approaches … 95

CHAPTER 6: Approaches focusing on the reception of texts … 109
6.1 Introduction … 109
6.2 The role of the reader … 112
6.3 Rhetorical-critical studies … 129
6.4 Deconstructionist approaches … 146

CHAPTER 7: The hermeneutics of suspicion: The hidden worlds of ideology and the unconscious … 167
7.1 Introduction … 167
7.2 Psychoanalytical approaches … 171
7.3 Marxist approaches … 189
7.4 Feminist approaches … 200
7.5 African hermeneutics … 207
7.6 An ecological hermeneutics … 219

CHAPTER 8: Where does this leave us? … 229
8.1 Introduction … 229
8.2 Towards multidimensional interpretation … 235
8.3 Bridging the gap between academic and non-academic readings … 242
8.4 Where this book meets its boundaries … 243

EXERCISES … 245

SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY … 253
Works cited and suggestions for further reading on the book of Jonah … 253
Works cited and suggestions for further reading on the exegetical approaches … 256

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Journal of Theological Interpretation 1.1 (2007)

The welcome trend towards an unashamedly theological interpretation of Scripture continues, with one of the latest developments being the launch of the Journal of Theological Interpretation published by Eisenbrauns.

The editorial board includes:

• Joel B. Green, Asbury Theological Seminary, USA (editor-in-chief)
• Craig Bartholomew, Redeemer College, Canada
• Tony Cummins, Trinity Western University, Canada
• Stephen Fowl, Loyola College, USA
• Beverly Roberts Gaventa, Princeton Theological Seminary, USA
• Luke Timothy Johnson, Emory University, USA
• J. Gordon McConville, University of Gloucestershire, England
• Graham McFarlane, London School of Theology, England
• Andrew Purves, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, USA
• Murray Rae, University of Otago, New Zealand
• Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, Eastern College, USA
• Francis Watson, Durham University, England

Two issues of the journal are published each year, one in the spring and one in the autumn. The first issue features the following articles:

Bibliographical details:
Journal of Theological Interpretation 1.1 (2007).

Table of contents:

• The Re(Turn) to Theology … 1
  Joel B. Green, Editor-in-Chief
• Reading the Bible with Eyes of Faith: The Practice of Theological Exegesis … 5
  Richard B. Hayes
• Texts in Context: Scripture in the Divine Economy … 23
  Murray Rae
• Mission, Hermeneutics, and the Local Church … 47
  Michael A. Rynkiewich
• Trust and the Spirit: The Canon’s Anticipated Unity … 61
  Christine Helmer
• Christ in All the Scriptures? The Challenge of Reading the Old Testament as Christian Scripture … 79
  R. W. L. Moberly
• Interpretation on the Way to Emmaus: Jesus Performs His Story … 101
  D. Brent Laytham
• A ‘Seamless Garment’ Approach to Biblical Interpretation? … 117
  Michael J. Gorman

Review to follow …

John Rogerson and Philip Davies, The Old Testament World

Bibliographical details:
Rogerson, J. W., and P. R. Davies. (2005). The Old Testament World. Rev. and expanded ed. London: T & T Clark.

Publisher’s information:
‘… this is a useful introduction both to modern study of the Old Testament and to the history and religion of Israel, critical in stance and aware of the limitations of modern knowledge … a useful textbook for first-year undergraduates.’ – C. S. Rodd, The Society for Old Testament Study Book List

Written by two leading Old Testament scholars with a wide range of expertise, this unique introduction describes the historical, social and cultural setting in which the Old Testament was written and [offers] a description of the major genres of literature that it contains. It seeks therefore to illuminate the literature of the Old Testament by showing how it was shaped by the events, social structures, and religions and intellectual ideas of the ancient civilizations and cultures in which it was produced.

Unlike most Introductions, it does not build largely on the traditional formats and it also reflects the huge changes that our understanding of the Old Testament has undergone in recent decades.

Rather than a conventional canonical-theological approach, this book offers an approach for those interested in the Old Testament as a monumental cultural achievement, ideal for students of ancient history and religion in general as well as theology, and requires a minimum of prior knowledge or expertise.

John Rogerson is Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at the University of Sheffield.

Philip Davies is Research Professor at the University of Sheffield.

Table of contents:
PREFACE … ix

Part I: THE SETTING
Chapter 1: GEOGRAPHY AND ECOLOGY OF ANCIENT PALESTINE … 3
The Land … 4
Climate and Vegetation … 11
Population and Agriculture in 1200 BCE … 14
Land and Land Use 1200 to 587 BCE … 15
Land and Land Use 587 to 63 BCE … 19
Borders and Boundaries … 21
The Theological Significance of the Land … 22

Chapter 2: SOCIAL ORGANISATION … 24
Blood Ties … 24
Conflicting Loyalties … 26
The Function of Genealogies … 29
Social Groupings … 32

Chapter 3: THE PEOPLES OF THE OLD TESTAMENT WORLD … 39
Peoples within the Borders of Israel and Judah … 41
Peoples on the Borders of Palestine … 44
Occupying Empires … 51

Part II: THE HISTORY AND RELIGION OF ISRAEL
Chapter 4: UNTIL THE TIME OF SOLOMON … 65
Solomon … 66
David … 67
The Period of the Judges … 69
‘Conquest’ and Exodus … 70
The Patriarchs … 71

Chapter 5: FROM THE DEATH OF SOLOMON TO THE BABYLONIAN DEPORTATIONS … 73
The Revolt of Jeroboam … 74
The Rise of Omri … 75
The Dynasty of Omri … 75
The Reign of Ahab … 76
Internal and External Conflicts … 77
The End of the House of Omri … 78
Kings of Judah … 79
Assyrian Aggression … 81
The Invasion … 82

Chapter 6: JUDAH UNDER THE PERSIANS AND PTOLEMIES AND THE JUDEANS IN BABYLONIA … 86
Judah … 87
Resettlement in Judah … 88
Ezra and Nehemiah’s Commissions … 89
Elephantine … 92
The Establishment of the Religious Community in Jerusalem … 93
Alexander and the Ptolemies … 94

Chapter 7: FROM THE MACCABEES TO HEROD THE GREAT … 96
The ‘Hellenistic Crisis’ (175 to 140 BCE) … 96
The Hasmonean Dynasty … 102
Herod the Great … 105

Part III: LITERATURE AND LIFE
Chapter 8: CREATION AND ORIGIN STORIES … 111
Sumerian and Akkadian Texts … 112
The Problem of Sources … 113
The Meaning of ‘Myth’ … 114
Genesis 1:1–2:4a … 115
Genesis 2:4b-25 … 117
Genesis 3 … 118
Genesis 4 … 119
Genesis 5 … 120
Genesis 6–9 … 120
Genesis 11:1-19 … 122
Conclusions … 123

Chapter 9: NARRATIVES … 124
‘Factual’ Versus ‘Fictional’ Narratives … 124
Simple and Complex Narratives … 126
Complex Narratives … 127
Simple Narratives … 131

Chapter 10: LEGAL TEXTS … 137
Administration of Justice … 138
The Book of the Covenant … 140
Leviticus 17–26 … 143
Deuteronomy … 145
The Decalogue (Ten Commandments) … 148

Chapter 11: SACRIFICES AND PSALMS … 151
Sacrifices … 151
Sacrifice on the Old Testament … 152
The World-View of Leviticus 1–16 … 155
The Psalms … 158
Conclusion … 164

Chapter 12: PROPHETIC LITERATURE … 166
What is ‘Prophecy’? … 166
Prophecy as a Social Institution … 167
Prophets in the Ancient Near East … 167
Prophets in Ancient Israel … 168
‘Prophecy’ in the Old Testament … 169
Individual Prophets and Prophetic Books … 174

Chapter 13: WISDOM LITERATURE … 184
What is ‘Wisdom’? … 184
Types of Wisdom Literature … 185
The ‘Wise’ … 187
The Book of Proverbs … 188
The Book of Job … 191
Qoheleth … 192
Wisdom Psalms … 194
Ben Sira … 194
The Wisdom of Solomon … 196

Chapter 14: APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE … 198
The Meaning of ‘Apocalyptic’ … 198
Apocalyptic Technique … 199
Divination … 200
Jewish Apocalypses … 202

Chapter 15: BEYOND THE OLD TESTAMENT … 209
‘Judaism’ … 209
Early Judaism … 210
Outward Characteristics of Early Judaism … 212
Times and Seasons … 214
The Holy Place: Temple and Priesthood … 215
Scripture, Law, and Scribes … 216
The Identity of ‘Israel’ in Early Judaism … 218
Messianism … 222

Part IV: THE FORMATION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
Chapter 16: ORAL TRADITION AND COLLECTIONS PRIOR TO THE DEPORTATIONS … 225
A Variety of Oral Traditions … 227
Written Forms of the Old Testament … 230

Chapter 17: THE FORMATION OF THE SCRIPTURAL CANON … 232
What are Canons? … 233
The ‘Primary History’ … 234
The ‘Prophetic’ Collections … 237
Writings … 241
The Canon … 242
Text and Versions … 243

INDEX … 246

Click here to read the review of the American edition of this book by Marc Brettler, published in the Review of Biblical Literature.

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Philip Jenson, Reading Jonah

Bibliographical details:
Jenson, P. (1999). Reading Jonah. Grove Biblical Series, vol. 14. Cambridge: Grove Books

Table of contents:
1. A Simple Story, a Mysterious Message … 3
2. A Tale of a Whale or a Whale of a Tale? … 6
3. Telling the Story … 9
4. The Message and the Purpose of Jonah … 15
5. Preaching Jonah … 19
6. Some Helpful Books … 23

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John Holdsworth, SCM Studyguide to the Old Testament

Bibliographical details:
Holdsworth, J. (2005). SCM Studyguide to the Old Testament. London: SCM Press.

Publisher’s information:
The SCM Study Guide to the Old Testament guides the newcomer to Old Testament studies easily and smoothly through the myriad of interpretations of this ancient text. Explaining difficult concepts, and ensuring space for the reader to reflect independently on topics throughout, this accessible textbook is aimed specifically at those who want to make connections between their own experience and the Old Testament text in a way which enables each to be transformed by the other. It provides the reader with matter to reflect upon and presents Biblical text in a way that makes reflection – and understanding – possible.

Written in an engaging and anecdotal style, the book is divided into short, accessible units of information. It offers the reader interactive exercises linking the text to experience and introduces concepts such as Modern and Post Modern criticism, historical and literary critical methods of reading text, sociological, feminist and liberation insights, and aims to connect with readers of all religious or non-religious backgrounds.

The Revd Dr John Holdsworth is the Archdeacon of St David’s Cathedral, Church in Wales. Formerly the Dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Wales, Cardiff, he is a widely published author, including most recently, Dwelling in a Strange Land for Canterbury Press.

Table of contents:
Acknowledgements … vii
How to Use this Book … ix
Introduction … xi

1 Why Read the Old Testament? … 1
2 Why Did the Writers Write … 13
3 Are the Books in the Right Order? … 27
4 What Really Happened: How Do We Know, and Does It Really Matter? … 41
5 What is the Old Testament About? … 55
6 In the Beginning … 69
7 Terrorists or Visionaries? The Contribution of D … 83
8 Wholeness and Holiness: The P Traditions … 97
9 Introducing the Prophets … 109
10 Even the Good Times Are Bad … 120
11 A Time for Reflection … 131
12 Beyond Blame … 141
13 First Things Last … 151
14 God of History … 163
15 I’m a Righteous Man – Get Me Out of Here! … 175
16 Israel: The Musical … 187
17 Those Were the Days! … 199
18 Five Scrolls and a Prophet … 211
19 Work in Progress … 222

References … 227
Index of Bible References … 233

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