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Traditional study of the Old Testament has involved careful analysis of individual books in order to discover their component sources. Outlining some alternatives to this method--yet retaining the values of the conventional technique--this study considers the importance of sociology and anthropology, of liberations and feminist perspectives, and of literary criticism, providing a unique guide for those approaching the Old Testament for the first time, and for those who are disenchanted with staid forms of biblical analysis.
Sirach is a book that raises a very distinctive set of problems. What should we call it (Sirach, Ecclesiasticus, Ben Sira)? What is the relation between the traditional Greek text and the recently rediscovered Hebrew parts of the book? Where did it stand in relation to Jewish tradition and the Hellenism that was sweeping the Mediterranean world? In this guide, a new addition to Sheffield's series on the Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha, these questions are discussed, as well as the use the author made of Scripture, and the scholarly placing of the book in the Wisdom tradition. The author's attitude to women is considered and the volume ends with a consideration of some of the chief theological themes of Sirach.
Worship is a dominant theme in the Old Testament. It is spoken about not only to provide words for worship, guidance about its leadership, or to express censure for its inadequacies, but also to depict places for worship and their significance, and to speak of the high calling of those who had particular roles and responsibilities in worship. Worship for the Old Testament authors has a vital place in the covenantal relationship between the Lord and his people. Michael Thompson considers Israel's worship under a series of themes and aspects--the place of worship (holy places, temples, and homes); the various people at worship (the people, priests and Levites, and kings); the liturgy of worship (prayers, psalms, sacrifices, feasts, festivals, and calendars); and visions of worship (in the proclamations of prophets, wisdom writers, theologians, and Israelite priests). These and many other matters relating to worship in the Hebrew Bible are presented in this fresh and wide-ranging study.
The first-century C.E. Jewish historian Flavius Josephus is our main source of information for the early history of the Samaritans, a community closely related to Judaism whose development as an independent religion is commonly dated in the Hellenistic-Roman period. Josephus' two main works, Jewish War and Jewish Antiquities, contain a number of passages that purport to describe the origin, character and actions of the Samaritans. In composing his histories, Josephus drew on different sources, some identifiable others unknown to us. Contemporary Josephus research has shown that he did so not as a mere compiler but as a creative writer who selected and quoted his sources carefully and deliber...
In ‘He is a Glutton and a Drunkard’: Deviant Consumption in the Hebrew Bible Rebekah Welton uses interdisciplinary approaches to explore the social and ritual roles of food and alcohol in Late Bronze Age to Persian-period Syro-Palestine (1550 BCE–400 BCE). This contextual backdrop throws into relief episodes of consumption deemed to be excessive or deviant by biblical writers. Welton emphasises the social networks of the household in which food was entangled, arguing that household animals and ritual foodstuffs were social agents, challenging traditional understandings of sacrifice. For the first time, the accusation of being a ‘glutton and a drunkard’ (Deut 21:18-21) is convincingly re-interpreted in its alimentary and socio-ritual contexts.
“Kalimi, one of the esteemed specialists of the Chronicler’s work... has provided us an intriguing historical and theological study about the Chronicler’s work that will surely provoke further discussion.” — Stefan Beyerle, In: Journal for the Study of Judaism in the Persian, Hellenistic and Roman Period 37 (2006). “Among Biblical scholars of Jewish background, Kalimi shows an outstanding ability to see and draw relationships between original passages and sources as well as ancient and modern commentaries.... Kalimi accomplished what he promised in the title of the book: to demonstrate that the Chronicler is “an ancient Israelite historian.'" - Chen Yiyi, In: Journal of Ancient...
Examines social contexts of the Gospel and Epistles of John from the perspective of sociolinguistic theory of register, with reference to the Johannine Community model.
The collected proclamations ascribed to two little-known post-exilic prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, represent a bridge between the traditions of classical Israelite religion and the dramatic changes essential to the preservation of the fragile Restoration community. Carroll Stuhlmueller's section-by-section, verse-by-verse analysis and exposition focus on the prophetic word as addressed not only to Israel in this "time of small beginnings" but also to the Church today. His primary concern is the theological message of the prophets, yet ever with an eye toward their historical context, literary form, and cultural setting.
Centering on the "knowledge of God" and the ultimate painful, paradoxical triumph of God's grace, the book of Hosea is one of ambivalence and redemption. The redemptive message of Hosea is underscored by H. D. Beeby's canonical and Christological interpretation. Beeby stresses that the true context of the book is much wider than the eighth century B.C.; Hosea must continually be heard against the background of and in response to the reader's own time. This commentary makes Hosea's message available today to all who struggle with questions of gospel and culture, contextualization, idolatry, church and state, and interfaith dialogue.
As the most forceful biblical proponent of the ideals of justice, loyalty, and kindness, Micah holds special appeal for those who are concerned about the powerlessness of the poor and humble. In this commentary Juan Alfaro examines the prophecies of Micah as they address both the internal and the external crises that faced Judah in the eighth century B.C. Throughout his exposition Alfaro stresses that Micah does not belong to a dead past; rather, Micah's challenging message of judgment and hope calls for change and conversion in our world today.