The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Companion

by John Barton (Editor)

Overview

A comprehensive and accessible guide to the Hebrew Bible

This book brings together some of the world's most exciting scholars from across a variety of disciplines to provide a concise and accessible guide to the Hebrew Bible. It covers every major genre of book in the Old Testament together with in-depth discussions of major themes such as human nature, covenant, creation, ethics, ritual and purity, sacred space, and monotheism. This authoritative overview sets each book within its historical and cultural context in the ancient Near East, paying special attention to its sociological setting. It provides new insights into the reception of the books and the different ways they have been studied, from historical-critical enquiry to modern advocacy approaches such as feminism and liberation theology. It also includes a guide to biblical translations and textual criticism and helpful suggestions for further reading.

Featuring contributions from experts with backgrounds in the Jewish and Christian faith traditions as well as secular scholars in the humanities and social sciences, The Hebrew Bible is the perfect starting place for anyone seeking a user-friendly introduction to the Old Testament, and an invaluable reference book for students and teachers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780691154718
Publisher:	Princeton University Press
Publication date:	06/07/2016
Edition description:	Critical
Pages:	632
Product dimensions:	6.30(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.80(d)

About the Author

John Barton is the Oriel and Laing Professor Emeritus of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture at the University of Oxford. His many books include A History of the Bible.

Table of Contents

Introduction ix

John Barton

List of Contributors xi

Part I. The Hebrew Bible in Its Historical and Social Context 1

1. The Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament 3

John Barton

2. The Historical Framework 24

Biblical and Scholarly Portrayals of the Past

Francesca Stavrakopoulou

3. The Social and Cultural History of Ancient Israel 54

Katherine Southwood

4. Israel in the Context of the Ancient Near East 86

Anthony J. Frendo

Part II. Major Genres of Biblical Literature 107

5. The Narrative Books of the Hebrew Bible 109

Thomas Römer

6. The Prophetic Literature 133

R. G. Kratz

7. Legal Texts 160

Assnat Bartor

8. The Wisdom Literature 183

Jennie Grillo

9. The Psalms and Poems of the Hebrew Bible 206

Susan Gillingham

Part III. Major Religious Themes 237

10. Monotheism 239

Benjamin D. Sommer

11. Creation 271

God and World

Hermann Spieckermann

12. The Human Condition 293

Hilary Marlow

13. God’s Covenants with Humanity and Israel 312

Dominik Markl

14. Ethics 338

C. L. Crouch

15. Religious Space and Structures 356

Stephen C. Russell

16. Ritual 378

Diet, Purity, and Sacrifice

Seth D. Kunin

Part IV. The Study and Reception of the Hebrew Bible 403

17. Reception of the Old Testament 405

Alison Gray

18. Historical-Critical Inquiry 431

Christoph Bultmann

19. Literary Approaches 455

David Jasper

20. Theological Approaches to the Old Testament 481

R.W.L. Moberly

21. Political and Advocacy Approaches 507

Eryl W. Davies

22. Textual Criticism and Biblical Translation 532

Carmel McCarthy

23. To Map or Not to Map? 556

A Biblical Dilemma

Adrian Curtis

Index of Scripture 575

Index of Modern Authors 589

Index of Subjects 596

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"John Barton has assembled a remarkable team, mixing senior scholars and new voices, to create a sampler of contemporary biblical scholarship. The contributors are predominantly but not exclusively European. The book can serve as an introduction not only to a wide range of major topics but also to the diversity of current scholarship. An ideal complement to more traditional introductions to the biblical books."—John J. Collins, Yale University

"If you are venturing into the Bible for the first time, you can count yourself lucky to have John Barton as your guide."—Jack Miles, author of God: A Biography

"There are contributions here that present this material in ways that provoke reflection and can set the reader thinking in new directions. The book's thematic approach puts it in a category by itself."—Joseph Blenkinsopp, author of Abraham: The Story of a Life

Editorial Reviews

"A solid guide for students of the Hebrew Bible. Filled with insightful overviews of important literature and introducing important perspectives from which to understand the significance of the texts, this ‘critical companion,' together with other more classical introductions, will surely motivate, encourage and enable serious study in the future."—-Donn Morgan, Theology Journal

"A compelling analysis of the document that embraces all phases of biblical scholarship, from every conceivable point of view."—-John Mulryan, Cithara

"The book is attractive and an easy read. Written by a group of contemporary scholars, the book will be a great aid to any student of the Old Testament."—-Ralph Lee Scott, ARBA

From the Publisher

"This collection provides a rich introduction to the Hebrew Bible for general readers, and is an invaluable companion for students and scholars."

Publishers Weekly