Lawrence Boadt's Reading the Old Testament was recognized as a classic almost from its date of publication in 1984. Without in any way diminishing its famed clarity, judiciousness, and theological depth, two prominent scholars, Richard Clifford and Daniel Harrington, have brought the book into the twenty-first century. In this new revised and updated edition, they have: * Updated the archaeological reports * Incorporated the research of the last three decades of biblical scholarship * Supplied new or redrawn illustrations and maps * Increased attention to Jewish-Christian biblical interpretations * Continued the Christian-Jewish dialogue that was a feature of the original "Larry Boadt was a long-time generative force in Old Testament study. This book, as a part of his legacy, assures that his influence will continue to be generative and rewarding for those who seriously engage his work....This is, in sum, a major offer for serious, faithful reading, and we may be grateful that it is now issued in a new, welcome edition." -Walter Brueggemann, Columbia Theological Seminary, Decatur, Georgia "We owe a great debt of gratitude to Richard Clifford and Daniel Harrington for bringing this classic introduction to new life. It still speaks with the clarity of Larry Boadt, but with new energy." -Irene Nowell, St. John's University "Richard Clifford and Daniel Harrington were the right persons to revise this book. Like Larry Boadt, they are most accomplished scholars and teachers with a keen pastoral sense. Leading people to appreciate the Bible was Larry Boadt's mission in life. This book is a fitting tribute to his fidelity to this mission." -Leslie J. Hoppe, OFM Catholic Theological Union "When Larry Boadt was asked why his book was so popular, he replied simply: 'I knew what students needed; I provided it.' The needs are still there and the book still provides for them. Since the book was written, much has changed in some areas of Old Testament study. Dick Clifford and Dan Harrington are well qualified to bring it up-to-date-and they have done a measured job." -Antony F. Campbell, SJ Jesuit Theological College, Parkville, Australia

An essential biography of one of the Bible's most powerful and inspiring books Exodus is the second book of the Hebrew Bible, but it may rank first in lasting cultural importance. It is here that the classic biblical themes of oppression and redemption, of human enslavement and divine salvation, are most dramatically expressed. Joel Baden tells the story of this influential and enduring book, tracing how its famous account of the Israelites' journey to the promised land has been adopted and adapted for millennia, often in unexpected ways. Baden draws a distinction between the Exodus story and the book itself, which is one of the most multifaceted in the Bible, containing poems, law codes, rituals, and architectural plans. He shows how Exodus brings together an array of oral and written traditions from the ancient Middle East, and how it came to be ritualized in the Passover Seder and the Eucharist. Highlighting the remarkable resilience and flexibility of Exodus, Baden sheds light on how the bestowing of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai divided Jewish and Christian thinkers, on the importance of Exodus during the Reformation and the American Revolution, and on its uses in debates for and against slavery. He also traces how the defining narrative of ancient Israel helped to define Mormon social identity, the American civil rights movement, and liberation theology. Though three thousand years old, the Exodus-as history, as narrative, as metaphor, as model-continues to be vitally important for us today. Here is the essential biography of this incomparable spiritual masterpiece.

Methods for Exodus is a textbook on biblical methodology. The book introduces readers to six distinct methodologies that aid in the interpretation of the book of Exodus: literary and rhetorical, genre, source and redaction, liberation, feminist, and postcolonial criticisms. Describing each methodology, the volume also explores how the different methods relate to and complement one another. Each chapter includes a summary of the hermeneutical presuppositions of a particular method with a summary of the impact of the method on the interpretation of the book of Exodus. In addition, Exodus 1-2 and 19-20 are used to illustrate the application of each method to specific texts. The book is unique in offering a broad methodological discussion with all illustrations centered on the book of Exodus.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship. Overview of Commentary Organization Introduction-covers issues pertaining to the whole book, including context, date, authorship, composition, interpretive issues, purpose, and theology. Each section of the commentary includes: Pericope Bibliography-a helpful resource containing the most important works that pertain to each particular pericope. Translation-the author's own translation of the biblical text, reflecting the end result of exegesis and attending to Hebrew and Greek idiomatic usage of words, phrases, and tenses, yet in reasonably good English. Notes-the author's notes to the translation that address any textual variants, grammatical forms, syntactical constructions, basic meanings of words, and problems of translation. Form/Structure/Setting-a discussion of redaction, genre, sources, and tradition as they concern the origin of the pericope, its canonical form, and its relation to the biblical and extra-biblical contexts in order to illuminate the structure and character of the pericope. Rhetorical or compositional features important to understanding the passage are also introduced here. Comment-verse-by-verse interpretation of the text and dialogue with other interpreters, engaging with current opinion and scholarly research. Explanation-brings together all the results of the discussion in previous sections to expose the meaning and intention of the text at several levels: (1) within the context of the book itself; (2) its meaning in the OT or NT; (3) its place in the entire canon; (4) theological relevance to broader OT or NT issues. General Bibliography-occurring at the end of each volume, this extensive bibliographycontains all sources used anywhere in the commentary.

The Millstatter Exodus, a German epic of the twelfth century, is a poetic version of the opening chapters of the book of Exodus, treating the events of the early life of Moses and culminating in the crossing of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Hebrews' pagan enemies. In form it represents the second attempt at a biblical epic on the large scale after the revival of German vernacular literature in the late eleventh century. Professor Green analyses the Millstatter Exodus in form and in context. He compares it with its predecessor, the Wiener Genesis, and with its biblical source, throwing light on the early development of the German epic in the twelfth century and on the poetic intentions of the author of the Exodus. Professor Green believes that the Millstatter Exodus can best be understood allegorically against the background of the crusading movement, and he shows that it is one of the first literary attempts in Germany to come to terms with the crusades and the problem of Christian warfare.

The site of the city of Gibeon is now identified with a fair degree of certainty with el-Jib, a site about eight miles north-west of Jerusalem. Gibeon is mentioned about forty times in the Old Testament, and was clearly a city of some significance, particularly at the time of Saul, David and Solomon. Dr Blenkinsopp examines the evidence, principally contained in the Bible, relating to Gibeon and the Gibeonites, making use of confirmatory evidence provided by excavations at el-Jib and ancient Near Eastern non-biblical writings. He discusses the ethnic identity of the Gibeonites, the obscure history of the ark before the transfer to Jerusalem, the role of local sanctuaries, the political and religious significance of Saul and the events which are described in the books of Samuel, Kings and Chronicles as taking place in and around Gibeon. Gibeon and Israel is likely to become a standard work of reference on the subject.

The story of Ahikar has appeared in various forms and numerous languages over the course of the last two and a half millennia. Long known to readers of the Arabian Nights, it was not until the end of the nineteenth century that scholars began to suspect that the legend had semi-biblical origins. Cambridge University Press had already published the first edition of The Story of Ahikar in 1898 when an enlarged and corrected second edition was prompted by the discovery of a series of Aramaic papyrus fragments on the island of Elephantine, dating from the fifth century before Christ. It is the second edition of The Story of Ahikar, first published in 1913, which is reproduced here. Meticulously assembled, this edition contains the Armenian, Old Turkish, Syriac, and Arabic versions of the story in their original source language with accompanying English translations. Also included are translations of the Slavonic, Ethiopic, and Aramaic versions, as well as fragments of the sayings and parables of Ahikar and the Greek text of the story.

This monograph is a study of the Hebrew word bama, which is used frequently in the Old Testament to describe cultic sites and has commonly been translated 'high place'. The word however occurs in a variety of contexts, which would indicate a wider range of meanings. By careful analysis of these occurrences in the Old Testament and by comparison with cognate words in Semitic languages and with the translations in the Septuagint, the author attempts to categorise these meanings and to challenge certain current views. Three groups of meanings of bama emerge from this study: topographical, as in 'hillside' and possibly 'grave-mound'; anatomical, as in 'backs' and possible 'beasts'; and cultic senses, as in 'cultic platform' (bamah) and by extension 'altar' and 'sanctuary'. This first book-length study of all aspects of the meaning of bama will be of interest equally to Old Testament scholars and archaeologists of the near East and is likely to be an invaluable monograph on its subject.

David Daube (1909 1999) was an eminent authority on Talmudic, Roman and ancient law, who taught legal history and jurisprudence at Cambridge, Aberdeen, Oxford and Berkeley. He was also in the vanguard of scholars who established the importance of Jewish and Talmudic perspectives to the understanding of the New Testament. This book, first published in 1947 and now reissued, contains five ground-breaking essays on the legal issues present in a number of Old Testament narratives including the story of Joseph and his brothers. Among the topics discussed are theft, deception, evidence, liability and punishment. These are set in the wider context of the growth of codes in the Pentateuch, Rabbinic interpretations of the Torah, and Roman sources including Macrobius and Gaius. Daube's book will resonate afresh in the scholarly climate of the twenty-first century, where the relationships between law and religion and between Judaism and Christianity are again the subject of lively debate.

Septuaginta: A Reader’s Edition offers the complete text of the Greek Old Testament as it appears in the Rahlfs-Hanhart revised Septuaginta, laid out in a clear and readable format. All deuterocanonical books are included, as well as all double-texts, which are presented on facing pages for easy textual comparison.

In order to facilitate natural and seamless reading of the text, every word occurring 100 times or fewer in the Rahlfs-Hanhart text (excluding proper names)—as well as every word that occurs more than 100 times in the Rahlfs-Hanhart text but fewer than 30 times in the Greek New Testament—is accompanied by a footnote that provides a contextual gloss for the word and (for verbs only) full parsing. Additionally, an appendix provides a complete alphabetized list of common vocabulary (namely, all the words that are not accompanied by a footnote), with glosses and (as applicable) comparison of a word’s usage in the Septuagint to its usage in the New Testament.

All of these combined features will make Septuaginta: A Reader’s Edition an indispensable resource for biblical scholars and an excellent tool for improving one’s comprehension of the Greek language.

This book suggests that Old Testament scholars should strengthen their growing links with neighbouring academic disciplines and encourage a number of interpretative interests within biblical studies. Given such a pluralistic context, the author's contention is that the 'canonical' approach to Old Testament study will have a distinctive contribution to make to the discipline without necessarily displacing other traditions of historical and literary inquiry, as many scholars have assumed. Dr Brett offers a comprehensive critique of the canonical approach as developed by Brevard Childs, and examines the development of Childs's exegetical practice, his hermeneutical theory, and the many critical responses which his work has elicited. In responding to these criticisms, the author examines the most problematic aspects of the canonical approach (notably Childs's inadequate reply to those who emphasize the ideological conflicts that lie behind biblical texts in their final form) and seeks to reconstruct the approach in light of contemporary discussions of interpretation in literary theory and the social sciences.

Latest volume in the AOTC series

This volume is the latest addition to the Bible in Medieval Tradition series, which seeks to reconnect today's church with part of its rich history of biblical interpretation. Joy Schroeder here provides substantial excerpts - none previously available in English - from seven noteworthy medieval biblical interpreters who commented on Genesis between the ninth and the fifteenth centuries. Representing a chronological and geographical range of authors, these clear, readable translations illustrate the rich diversity of medieval approaches to biblical interpretation. This generous sampler of medieval writings is supplemented by an in-depth introduction that locates each of the medieval authors within his or her context. Covering the entire book of Genesis, this commentary offers modern readers a splendid opportunity to encounter the creative and reverent approaches to scripture practiced by medieval biblical scholars.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship. Overview of Commentary Organization Introduction-covers issues pertaining to the whole book, including context, date, authorship, composition, interpretive issues, purpose, and theology. Each section of the commentary includes: Pericope Bibliography-a helpful resource containing the most important works that pertain to each particular pericope. Translation-the author's own translation of the biblical text, reflecting the end result of exegesis and attending to Hebrew and Greek idiomatic usage of words, phrases, and tenses, yet in reasonably good English. Notes-the author's notes to the translation that address any textual variants, grammatical forms, syntactical constructions, basic meanings of words, and problems of translation. Form/Structure/Setting-a discussion of redaction, genre, sources, and tradition as they concern the origin of the pericope, its canonical form, and its relation to the biblical and extra-biblical contexts in order to illuminate the structure and character of the pericope. Rhetorical or compositional features important to understanding the passage are also introduced here. Comment-verse-by-verse interpretation of the text and dialogue with other interpreters, engaging with current opinion and scholarly research. Explanation-brings together all the results of the discussion in previous sections to expose the meaning and intention of the text at several levels: (1) within the context of the book itself; (2) its meaning in the OT or NT; (3) its place in the entire canon; (4) theological relevance to broader OT or NT issues. General Bibliography-occurring at the end of each volume, this extensive bibliographycontains all sources used anywhere in the commentary.

The Book of Jeremiah is one of the longest, most complex and influential writings in the Hebrew Bible. It comprises poetic oracles, prose sermons, and narratives of the prophet, as well as laments, symbolic actions, and utterances of hope from one of the most turbulent periods in the history of ancient Judah and Israel. Written by some of the most influential contemporary biblical interpreters today, The Oxford Handbook of Jeremiah offers compelling new readings of the text informed by a rich variety of methodological approaches and theoretical frameworks. In presenting discussions of the Book of Jeremiah in terms of its historical and cultural contexts of origins, textual and literary history, major internal themes, reception history, and significance for a number of key political issues, The Handbook examines the fascinating literary tradition of the Book of Jeremiah while also surveying recent scholarship. The result is a synthetic anthology that offers a significant contribution to the field as well as an indispensable resource for scholars and non-specialists alike.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship. Overview of Commentary Organization Introduction-covers issues pertaining to the whole book, including context, date, authorship, composition, interpretive issues, purpose, and theology. Each section of the commentary includes: Pericope Bibliography-a helpful resource containing the most important works that pertain to each particular pericope. Translation-the author's own translation of the biblical text, reflecting the end result of exegesis and attending to Hebrew and Greek idiomatic usage of words, phrases, and tenses, yet in reasonably good English. Notes-the author's notes to the translation that address any textual variants, grammatical forms, syntactical constructions, basic meanings of words, and problems of translation. Form/Structure/Setting-a discussion of redaction, genre, sources, and tradition as they concern the origin of the pericope, its canonical form, and its relation to the biblical and extra-biblical contexts in order to illuminate the structure and character of the pericope. Rhetorical or compositional features important to understanding the passage are also introduced here. Comment-verse-by-verse interpretation of the text and dialogue with other interpreters, engaging with current opinion and scholarly research. Explanation-brings together all the results of the discussion in previous sections to expose the meaning and intention of the text at several levels: (1) within the context of the book itself; (2) its meaning in the OT or NT; (3) its place in the entire canon; (4) theological relevance to broader OT or NT issues. General Bibliography-occurring at the end of each volume, this extensive bibliographycontains all sources used anywhere in the commentary.

The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship. Overview of Commentary Organization Introduction-covers issues pertaining to the whole book, including context, date, authorship, composition, interpretive issues, purpose, and theology. Each section of the commentary includes: Pericope Bibliography-a helpful resource containing the most important works that pertain to each particular pericope. Translation-the author's own translation of the biblical text, reflecting the end result of exegesis and attending to Hebrew and Greek idiomatic usage of words, phrases, and tenses, yet in reasonably good English. Notes-the author's notes to the translation that address any textual variants, grammatical forms, syntactical constructions, basic meanings of words, and problems of translation. Form/Structure/Setting-a discussion of redaction, genre, sources, and tradition as they concern the origin of the pericope, its canonical form, and its relation to the biblical and extra-biblical contexts in order to illuminate the structure and character of the pericope. Rhetorical or compositional features important to understanding the passage are also introduced here. Comment-verse-by-verse interpretation of the text and dialogue with other interpreters, engaging with current opinion and scholarly research. Explanation-brings together all the results of the discussion in previous sections to expose the meaning and intention of the text at several levels: (1) within the context of the book itself; (2) its meaning in the OT or NT; (3) its place in the entire canon; (4) theological relevance to broader OT or NT issues. General Bibliography-occurring at the end of each volume, this extensive bibliographycontains all sources used anywhere in the commentary.

The ancient poems we call Psalms are over 2000 years old. They were written in very different times from our own when humans could travel at the speed of a camel, not at the speed of sound. But these songs have stood the test of time for they address many of the problems we still face: violence, injustice, anger and bewilderment. Why do the wicked prosper? Where is God when we suffer? In this 5 session course, Bishop Stephen Cottrell, a prolific and popular author, reflects on the psalms in general, and five psalms in particular. He invites us to join him as he does so. This York Course is available in the following formats: Course Book (Paperback 9781909107106) Course Book (eBook 9781909107632 both ePub and Mobi files provided) Audio Book of Interview to support The Psalms York Course (CD 9781909107458) Audio Book of Interview (Digital Download 9781909107618) Transcript of interview to support The Psalms York Course (Paperback 9781909107113) Transcript of interview (eBook 9781909107649 both ePub and Mobi files provided) Book Pack (9781909107465 Featuring Paperback Course Book, Audio Book on CD and Paperback Transcript of Interview) Large print (9781909107625) The five sessions focus on: SESSION 1: Know that the Lord is God (Psalm 100) SESSION 2: Out of the depths have I cried (Psalm 130) SESSION 3: How long, O Lord? (Psalm 13) SESSION 4: You spread a table before me (Psalm 23) SESSION 5: Unless the Lord builds the house (Psalm 127) The participants on the course audio are the Dominican Friar Fr Timothy Radcliffe; the Revd John Bell of the Iona Community; the Bishop of Dover, Rose-Hudson Wilkin and Revd Dr Jane Leach, the Principal of Wesley House Cambridge.

For thousands of years, the Book of Psalms has been one of God's people's richest resources for expression of worship and development of the spiritual life. At the same time it is one of the more complex and challenging sections of the Bible for expositors. Pastors, teachers, and all serious students of the Bible will find this commentary invaluable for developing their understanding of the Psalms and for improving their ability to expound it with precision and depth.

For each psalm, Dr. Allen Ross guides the reader through a detailed exegetical outline, proposes a homiletical outline, and offers a summary expository idea of the message of the whole psalm.

The commentary includes discussion throughout of three primary challenges to understanding the Psalms: Textual issues: Every major textual difficulty is addressed in order to help the expositor understand the interpretive issues and make decisions when there are multiple available readings.Poetic language: The Psalms are full of poetic imagery, devices and structures. Ross discusses this "language" of Hebrew poetry in its context with each psalm, specifying the precise devices being used and how they work in the psalm.The Psalms' Hebrew grammar and syntax pose a challenge to many expositors, whether they are familiar with Hebrew or not. This commentary illuminates Hebrew constructions word meanings in a way that is helpful both to readers who are comfortable with Hebrew and those who are not.

Deuteronomy has been aptly described as a book 'on the boundary': it addresses the possibilities of new life 'beyond the Jordan' as dependent upon Israel's keeping of the law and acknowledgment of Yahweh's supremacy. Moses leaves the people with his last will and testament that would ensure their success and well-being in the new land. Ted Woods expounds this book's breathtaking and all-encompassing vision, and shows how the Israelites, from king to ordinary citizen, were exhorted to make its words the interpreter of their life's story within the land.

Radio messages from J. Vernon McGee delighted and enthralled listeners for years with simple, straightforward language and clear understanding of the Scripture. Now enjoy his personable, yet scholarly, style in a 60-volume set of commentaries that takes you from Genesis to Revelation with new understanding and insight. Each volume includes introductory sections, detailed outlines and a thorough, paragraph-by-paragraph discussion of the text. A great choice for pastors - and even better choice for the average Bible reader and student! Very affordable in a size that can go anywhere, it's available as a complete 60-volume series, in Old Testament or New Testament sets, or individually.