Bibliographical details:
VanderKam, J. C. (2001). An Introduction to Early Judaism. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
Publisher’s information:
‘James VanderKam has written a superb introduction to early Judaism, including its history, literature, and religious institutions – a handbook that will be useful to every student or scholar who is interested in this period. VanderKam’s sketch of the history and literature of the period is written simply and precisely, unencumbered by footnotes. His book, however, reveals a full, critical knowledge of the field. His epitomes of the literature of the period are particularly well done – brief, generally conservative in discussing debated issues, leaving out little of importance. New lore from the Dead Sea Scrolls and data from recent excavations are also well treated. I recommend this volume without qualification.’ – Frank Moore Cross, Harvard University
‘A scholar at the forefront of today’s flourishing interest in the study of ancient Judaism, James VanderKam clearly explains Second Temple history and religion, including the period’s main groups and institutions and the entire range of literature they produced, from the Apocrypha to the Dead Sea Scrolls. The period VanderKam covers is vital to understanding all subsequent Jewish and Christian history, and his introduction to it is complete, accessible, and overall top-notch.’ – Alan J. Avery-Peck, College of the Holy Cross
‘Combining meticulous historical reconstruction with detailed commentary on literary productions and archaeological remains, James VanderKam here offers a comprehensive introduction to early Judaism that places texts within their proper contexts. His accessible, engaging style and helpful organization make this volume ideal for classroom use.’ – Amy-Jill Levine, Vanderbilt Divinity School
James C. VanderKam is the John A. O’Brien Professor of Hebrew Scriptures at the University of Notre Dame. He has edited seven volumes in the Discoveries in the Judaean Desert series and is coeditor in chief of the Encyclopedia of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Among his other books is The Dead Sea Scrolls Today (Eerdmans).
Table of contents:
PREFACE … xi
1. THE TIME OF THE SECOND TEMPLE … 1
The Persian Period (538-332 BCE) … 1
Beginnings … 2
Events in Yehud (Judah) … 3
Jaddua and Alexander the Great … 6
Events in Egypt … 7
Events in Babylon and Persia … 9
The Hellenistic Age (332-63 BCE) … 11
Ptolemaic Control of Egypt and Judea (ca. 305-198 BCE) … 12
Ptolemy II and the Greek Translation of the Torah … 13
The Tobiad Romance … 14
Seleucid Control/Influence in Judea (198-63 BCE) … 16
Antiochus III (223-187 BCE) … 16Antiochus IV, High Priests, and Hellenism … 18
The Hasmonean State (ca. 140-63 BCE) … 24
Simon (142-134 BCE) … 25John Hyrcanus (134-104 BCE) … 27
Aristobulus I (104-103 BCE) and Kingship … 28
Alexander Jannaeus (103-76 BCE) … 29
Salome Alexandra (76-67 BCE) … 30
Hyrcanus II and Aristobulus II (67-63 BCE) … 31
The Roman Period (63 BCE and Beyond) … 32
The Early Years (63-37 BCE) … 32
Herod (37-4 BCE) and Archelaus (4 BCE–6 CE) … 36
Direct Roman Rule (6-66 CE) … 39
The First Jewish Revolt against Rome (66-73 CE) … 41
The Bar Kokhba Revolt (132-135 CE) … 48
Appendix on Egyptian Judaism … 49
2. JEWISH LITERATURE OF THE SECOND TEMPLE PERIOD … 53
Second Temple Texts in the Hebrew Bible … 53
The Classification of Second Temple Literature … 54
Apocrypha … 54
Works in Greek Bibles but Not in the Hebrew Bible … 55
Pseudepigrapha … 56
Jewish Writings of the Second Temple Period … 59
Narrative Works … 59
(1) 1 Esdras … 59
(2) 1 Maccabees … 62
(3) 2 Maccabees … 65 Tales … 69
(1) Tobit … 69
(2) Judith … 72
(3) Susanna … 75
(4) 3 Maccabees … 78
(5) Letter of Aristeas … 81
(6) The Greek Esther … 85
Rewritten Scripture … 88
1 Enoch … 88(1) The Astronomical Book of Enoch (1 Enoch 72–82) … 89
(2) The Book of the Watchers (1 Enoch 1–36) … 91 Aramaic Levi … 94
The Book of Jubilees … 97
The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs … 100
Apocalypses … 102
The Apocalypse of Weeks (1 Enoch 93:3-10; 91:11-17) … 103The Book of Dreams (1 Enoch 83–90) … 105
Sibylline Oracles … 107
The Similitudes or Parables of Enoch (1 Enoch 37–71) … 110
The Testament of Moses … 113
Wisdom Literature … 115
The Wisdom of Ben Sira … 115The Epistle of Enoch (1 Enoch 91–107 [108]) … 119
Baruch (or 1 Baruch) … 121
The Wisdom of Solomon … 124
Poetic Works … 128
The Psalms of Solomon … 128The Prayer of Manasseh … 132
The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Young Men … 133
Mockery of Idols … 135
The Letter of Jeremiah … 135Bel and the Dragon … 136
Philo and Josephus … 138
Philo of Alexandria … 138Josephus … 142
Great Archeological Discoveries … 147
The Elephantine Papyri … 147The Dead Sea Scrolls … 150
(1) The Manuscripts and Fragments … 151
(2) Archeological Evidence … 158
(3) The Qumran Community and Its History … 160 Masada … 166
(1) The Story … 166
(2) Archeological Evidence … 170
3. SYNTHESIS: LEADERS, GROUPS, AND INSTITUTIONS … 175
Rulers and Leaders … 176
The Priests … 176
Leading Priests … 181
Ordinary Priests … 182
Civil Rulers … 183
Sanhedrin/Council … 184
Groups … 186
Early Second Temple Period … 186
Late Hellenistic and Roman Times … 187
Sadducees … 189
Essenes … 191
Others … 192
Worship … 193
The Temple … 194
The Sacrificial System … 203
Festivals … 204
(1) Passover … 204
(2) The Festival of Unleavened Bread … 204
(3) Second Passover … 205
(4) The Festival of Weeks … 205
(5) The First of the Seventh Month … 206
(6) The Day of Atonement … 206
(7) The Festival of Tabernacles (or Booths) … 207
(8) Hanukkah … 207
(9) Purim … 208 Other Forms of Worship … 208
(1) Music … 208
(2) Prayer … 210
The Synagogue … 211
Scriptures … 213
Groups of Authoritative Writings … 213
Versions … 215
Interpretation … 216
BIBLIOGRAPHY … 219
INDEX … 225
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You may also be interested to read the review by Pablo Torijano Morales, published in the Review of Biblical Literature. |
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