Synopsis: Although the book of Psalms is a collection of ancient hymns and poems originally written in Hebrew, it continues to be a source of fascination and inspiration. The psalms live on because they reflect a profound belief in a God who was involved with people and with human affairs-a God who had done wonderful things in the past, for which he should be praised and held in awe; a God to whom complaints could be addressed because of apparent inactivity on behalf of those loyal to him in the present; a God who, despite the distresses and difficulties of those who called upon him, could be trusted to ensure justice in the future. The Psalter contains some very human responses to a God who was sometimes very real to those who addressed him and who sometimes seemed deaf to their cries. Adrian Curtis invites his readers to enter into the world of the Psalms and to find there, sometimes surprisingly, experiences and emotions that resonate with their own. Author Biography: Adrian Curtis is Honorary Research Fellow in the Department for Religions and Theology at the University of Manchester.

Jacob Milgrom was a man of deep faith and deep learning. As teacher and scholar he is best known for his work on ancient Israel's religion, especially its cultic expression in tabernacle and temple. His command of this subject is evident in his massive, three-volume commentary on Leviticus (Anchor Bible Commentary) and his commentary on Numbers (JPS Torah Commentary). This provides perfect background for one who seeks to instruct us on the final chapters of Ezekiel. In this volume Milgrom guides us engagingly through Ezekiel's oracle against Gog (chs. 38-39) and his final vision of Israel's physical and spiritual restoration (chs. 40-48). Regrettably Professor Milgrom did not live to see his work on Ezekiel appear in print. Given his influence on biblical scholarship far beyond his native Jewish world, it is fitting that this final form of this project be cast as an interfaith dialogue with Daniel Block, who has himself written a major two-volume commentary on Ezekiel (NICOT). This volume offers a window into how one Jewish scholar engaged with the work of a Christian scholar. It invites readers to listen in on their conversation, in the course of which they will also hear the voices of medieval Jewish rabbis, particularly R. Eliezer of Beaugency and R. Joseph Kara. While Block and Milgrom are free to disagree in their reading of particular texts, readers will find this dialogue illuminating for their own understanding of the last chapters of Ezekiel. "According to rabbinic tradition, rabbi Hananiah ben Hezekiah burned three hundred barrels of oil in his lamp before being able to harmonize the laws of Moses with those given in Ezekiel. In a similar way, Jacob Milgrom's lifetime of scholarly study of the Pentateuch ideally equipped him to write a commentary on Ezekiel 38-48. This volume will be an indispensable reference point for all future work on the prophet." --Iain Duguid, Professor of Old Testament, Grove City College "The late Jacob Milgrom was the leading expert on biblical cult and ritual in his generation. His commentaries on Leviticus, for which he is best known, reflect the meticulous, holistic approach to biblical texts that became the hallmark of his life's work. In this, his last major publication, Milgrom brings this approach to bear on the final chapters of Ezekiel. Never shy of new ideas, his bold proposals will challenge Ezekiel scholarship for years to come." --William A. Tooman, University of St. Andrews "Seldom has such a spirited written discussion taken place between a Jewish and an evangelical scholar as is found in this study. Even more fascinating is the direct way in which the most difficult portion of the prophecy of Ezekiel (chapters 38-48) is engaged--with respect for each other and with a commitment to the text. It is a joy to recommend this book both for the stimulating way it handles Scripture and for the promise it holds for additional joint ventures between the two scholarly traditions." --Walter C. Kaiser Jr., Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary Jacob Milgrom (1923-2010), an esteemed rabbi in Conservative Judaism, was Professor Emeritus of Near Eastern Studies at University of California, Berkeley. He was the author of many books, most notably The JPS Torah Commentary: Numbers (1966) and the three-volume Anchor Bible Commentary of Leviticus (1991-2001).

Comprehensive and understandable, the New Collegeville Bible Commentary series brings the timeless messages and relevance of the Old Testament to todays readers. With recent scholarship, this series provides vital background and addresses important questions such as authorship and cultural context. The New Collegeville Bible Commentary books use the New American Bible translation and will appeal to preachers, teachers, Bible study groups, and all readers of the Bible. First and Second Samuel tell the story of the beginnings of monarchy in ancient Israel. These two powerful narratives present many great figures of biblical historySamuel, Saul, and Davidand explore the complex interaction of historical developments and human fidelity under God. In the books of Samuel, characters interact to influence and persuade, to express motivation and desire, and to shape the readers understanding of the issues that faced the Israelites as they responded to Gods invitation to covenant. Through the medium of story, the reader shares in the perennial struggle to discover, in the midst of personal and political conflict, God's ways for humanity.

Imagine a life of true happiness, a life of complete honesty with God. Through this study of the Scriptures, you learn how to live a life of gratitude while producing actions that honor God. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step suggestions for leading a group are provided as well as questions to facilitate class discussion. This eight-week volume is part of the Immersion Bible Studies series. Inspired by a fresh translation, the Common English Bible (CEB), Immersion stands firmly on Scripture and helps you explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of your personal faith. Whether you are using the CEB or another translation, Immersion will offer new insights into God s Word, your own life, and your life with God. Psalms features eight sessions."

The narrative of the book of Ruth is a drama of ordinary human life, but the drama unfolds against a background of the providence and purposes of God. Katharine Doob Sakenfeld has written a commentary that makes very clear why the book of Ruth has such great importance as literature and as Scripture. Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the Bible in the church. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry.

Full of Judgment, Full of Eyes When it comes to the Hebrew prophets of old, few can match the obscurity of Ezekiel, the son of Buzi. Largely ignored by New Testament writers, he is thought to have seen a UFO and provided an archaic description. The rabbis of Israel thought otherwise, convinced that Ezekiel's merkebah held the secrets of all creation. But there is much more than chariots here, as author Joe Conti deftly explains: > Why the cherubim are the essence of life, reflected in life below > Why their 3-to-1 grouping validates the quadriform gospel accounts > Why the fall of Tyre confirms his writings, together with Babylon's tree > Why Gog and Magog are not Russia - Turkey is the nation to watch This is a game of last man standing, as the Son of man gets a glimpse of glory, plunges the nations into the pit, breaks the idolatry of the Jews, and brings them back in fear to Zion, the mountain of the Lord.

The Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of Jewish sacred writings) is of great importance in the history of both Judaism and Christianity. The first translation of the books of the Hebrew Bible (plus additions) into the common language of the ancient Mediterranean world made the Jewish scriptures accessible to many outside Judaism. Not
only did the Septuagint become Holy Writ to Greek speaking Jews but it was also the Bible of the early Christian communities: the scripture they cited and the textual foundation of the early Christian movement.
Translated from Hebrew (and Aramaic) originals in the two centuries before Jesus, the Septuagint provides important information about the history of the text of the Bible. For centuries, scholars have looked to the Septuagint for information about the nature of the text and of how passages and specific words were understood.
For students of the Bible, the New Testament in particular, the study of the Septuagint's influence is a vital part of the history of interpretation. But until now, the Septuagint has not been available to English readers in a modern and accurate translation. The New English Translation of theSeptuagint fills this gap.

In High Schools, Race, and America's Future, Lawrence Blum offers a lively account of a rigourous high school course on race and racism. Set in a racially, ethnically, and economically diverse high school, the book chronicles students' engagement with one another, with a rich and challenging academic curriculum, and with questions that relate powerfully to their daily lives. Blum, an acclaimed moral philosopher whose work focuses on issues of race, reflects with candour, insight, and humour on the challenges and surprises encountered in teaching-the unexpected turns in conversation, the refreshing directness of students' questions, the "aha" moments and the awkward ones, and the paradoxes of his own role as a white college professor teaching in a multiracial high school classroom. High Schools, Race, and America's Future provides an invaluable resource for those who want to teach students to think deeply and talk productively about race.

The commentary on the Torah of the eleventh-century French rabbi, Solomon Yishaqi of Troyes (better known as Rashi), is one of the major texts of mediaeval Judaism. Rashi's commentary has enjoyed an almost canonical status among many traditional Jews from mediaeval times to the present day. The popularity of his Torah commentary is often ascribed to Rashi's skillful combination of traditional midrashic interpretations of Scripture with observations on the language employed therein. In this respect, Rashi is often presented as a linguist or grammarian. This book presents a critical reappraisal of this issue through a close reading of Rashi's commentary on the book of Deuteronomy. Falling into two major sections, Part One (Contexts) presents a theoretical framework for the detailed study in Part Two (Texts), which forms the main core of the book by presenting a detailed analysis of Rashi's commentary on the book of Deuteronomy.

How does someone obtain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding? How do they apply them to their lives? This volume of Immersion Bible Studies focuses on touchstone Scriptures that reveal the essence of wisdom as found in Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Written in a conversational tone, this study engages readers in the virtues shared while deepening their love of the Bible. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step suggestions for leading a group are provided, as well as questions to facilitate class discussion. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation--the Common English Bible--stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they ll be able to discover God s revelation through readings and reflections."

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, called this his 'Song of Songs.' But through the centuries many have struggled to make sense of it. Who is the mysterious woman with whom the king is so in love? What is her story - and why is it in the Bible? In this devotional exposition and modern English translation, we follow the heart-searching highs and lows of their relationship as we unravel the answers to these questions. We see how lovingly and patiently Solomon wins her heart and confidence until finally, freed from her past, she becomes the magnificent queen that he first saw her to be. But what of Solomon himself? He is not what we would expect: at heart a shepherd, an adventurer, a lover of wild, open spaces. And as the story progresses we come to understand the prophetic significance of Solomon's vision of the 'shepherd king' - and why his attempts to fulfill it himself caused his downfall. Yet, more importantly, we see how perfectly it is fulfilled, and all out deepest needs met, in the ultimate 'Good Shepherd' and 'King of Love, ' Jesus Christ.

This title presents a comprehensive and profound introduction to the literature and history of the Old Testament. Beginning with methods and sources, this Handbook looks at the Biblical text, archaeology, other texts, and iconography. It explores varying exegetical methods, including historical criticism, canonical approach, feminist, social scientific and liberation theology. Methods in archaeology, Hebrew epigraphic and iconography are also covered. The second section is devoted to the history and religious history of Ancient Israel. Introductory matters, such as fundamental terminology and definitions, ethnic identity, ancestors and the dead, geography and time reckoning are explicated before the book moves on to a historical survey from the Iron Age (c. 1200 BCE) to the early Roman period (ending about 63 CE). The heart of the book is a detailed survey of the Hebrew canonical books, section by section and book by book. The discussion for each book includes: biblical presentation and content; problems arising from the history of literary analysis and research; the origin and growth of the writing; the theology; and notes on reception history. This book will provide students with everything they need to study the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament.

2012 Reprint of 1960-1961 Edition. Two Volumes bound in one. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. This is a scholarly translation of Enarrationes in Psalmos, St. Augustine's lengthiest and possibly his most important exegetical work. The first volume covers Augustine's notes and commentaries on Psalms 1 through 29, the second volume covers psalms 30-37. Augustine's theme is the Church, less as on external institution than as the very locus and center of God and Christ. God is revealed and accessible to us only through Christ, Christ only through the Church. These volumes comprise part of the larger series "Ancient Christian Writers: The Works of the Fathers in Translation."

The book of Isaiah presents one of the most challenging pieces of literature in the Hebrew Bible. Over a period of some four hundred years (from the end of the eighth century down to the end of the fourth century BCE), the great prophet Isaiah and his disciples in the Assyrian period, as well as later scholars in Babylonian and Persian times, worked on this marvellous prophetic text. In its final form it resembles a mediaeval cathedral constructed by many gifted people across the centuries. Each piece has its own history, place and function in the whole structure. In this lucid study, Berges interprets the scroll of Isaiah as a 'literal cathedral', written by many hands and empowered by the experience of sorrow and disaster, liberation and joy. In the centre of the book (Isaiah 36-39) and of its theology stands the threat to Zion and the promise of its redemption. The nations that in the first part were taking action against God's city are invited to join the exiled and dispersed people of Israel as it travels home. The reader too is called to journey the same path and to join the congregation of Israel and the nations on their way to the New Jerusalem - not in heaven but on a renewed earth. Methodologically, the book combines synchronic and diachronic perspectives and paves the way to a fruitful conversation between them. The vast reception history of the Book of Isaiah in the Septuagint, the New Testament, and in rabbinic and Christian traditions, as well as in painting and music, is also illustrated by some of the most illuminating examples.

Description: Genesis ""was a political document of the state, and its major function was to exalt David and his monarchy, not only with his own people but also among the other states of that world. The scribes of the monarchy used many sources for this work, and certainly the literary criticism of the past has helped us to isolate many of these sources. However, the view presented here is quite different from the older criticism in that the sources that were used in this work must date from before the exile. This is obvious, if the sources were used by the scribes of the Davidic monarchy. None of this can be said with dogmatic zest, but we can at this point discuss some reasons why it seems possible to see Genesis in this way."" --from the Introduction Endorsements: ""Loren Fisher applies what is perhaps the single most valuable method of biblical interpretation to the book of Genesis, the principle of 'multiple voices.' Instead of forcing agreement between clearly distinct units and genres, he allows the differences to speak, and then brings them together to function as a royal epic of leadership and nationhood."" -Baruch A. Levine Skirball Professor Emeritus of Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Studies New York University ""Loren Fisher has produced an elegant and eminently readable translation of the book of Genesis, with helpful literary and comparative notes throughout. The author does an exceptionally fine job of situating Genesis within the world of ancient Near Eastern literature. Both the casual reader and the advanced scholar of the Bible will gain many insights from this well-conceived project."" -Gary Rendsburg Department of Jewish Studies Rutgers University About the Contributor(s): Loren R. Fisher retired as Professor of Hebrew Bible at the School of Theology at Claremont and as Professor of Semitic Languages and Literature at the Claremont Graduate University. He is the author of The Many Voices of Job, Tales from Ancient Egypt, The Jerusalem Academy, and the editor of Ras Shamra Parallels, vols. 1 and 2,

To whom is Moses speaking in Deuteronomy? This question is controversial in OT scholarship. Some passages in Deuteronomy indicate that Moses is addressing the first exodus generation that witnessed Horeb (Deut 5:3-4), while other passages point to the second exodus generation that survived the wilderness (Deut 1:35; 2:14-16). Redaction critics such as Thomas Roemer and John Van Seters view the chronological problems in Deuteronomy as evidence of multiple tradition layers. Although other scholars have suggested that Deuteronomy's conflation of chronology is a rhetorical move to unify Israel's generations, no analysis has thus far explored in detail how the blending of "you" and the "fathers" functions as a rhetorical device. However, a rhetorical approach to the "fathers" is especially appropriate in light of three features of Deuteronomy. First, a rhetorical approach recognizes that the repetitiveness of the Deuteronomic style is a homiletical strategy designed to inculcate the audience with memory. The book is shot through with exhortations for Israel to remember the past. Second, a rhetorical approach recognizes that collective memory entails the transformation of the past through actualization for the present. Third, a rhetorical approach to Deuteronomy accords well with the book's self-presentation as "the words that Moses spoke" (1:1). The book of Deuteronomy assumes a canonical posture by embedding the means of its own oral and written propagation, thereby ensuring that the voice of Moses speaking in the book of Deuteronomy resounds in Israel's ears as a perpetually authoritative speech-act. The Rhetoric of Remembrance demonstrates that Deuteronomy depicts the corporate solidarity of Israel in the land promised to the "fathers" (part 1), under the sovereignty of the same "God of the fathers" across the nation's history (part 2), as governed by a timeless covenant of the "fathers" between YHWH and his people (part 3). In the narrative world of Deuteronomy, the "fathers" begin as the patriarchs, while frequently scrolling forward in time to include every generation that has received YHWH's promises but nonetheless continues to await their fulfillment. Hwang's study is an insightful, innovative approach that addresses crucial aspects of the Deuteronomic style with a view to the theological effect of that style. Jerry Hwang (Ph.D., Wheaton College) serves as Assistant Professor of Old Testament at Singapore Bible College.

Take a Refreshing Plunge into theBible

Journey inside the pages of Scripture andyou ll meet a personal God who enters individual lives and begins a creative workfrom the inside out. Immersion Bible Studies is your guide forthat journey. Shaped with the individual in mind, Immersionencourages simultaneous engagement both with the Word of God and with the God of theWord to become a new creation in Christ.

Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation, the CommonEnglish Bible, stands firmly on Scripture and helps you explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of your personal faith. More importantly, you llbe able to discover God 's revelation to you through readings andreflections.

So, take the plunge and find the transforming loveand knowledge of a personal God. Job features 6 sessions.

The evangelical community should welcome the appearance of this fine commentary . A thoroughly evangelical work characterized by insightful exegetical and theological observations. It is clearly the best commentary available on Isaiah, one that should be in the library of every serious student of Isaiah's prophecy.
Bibliotheca Sacra
This second installment in John Oswalt's two-volume treatment of the Book of Isaiah should quickly become the standard American evangelical exposition of Isaiah 40-66. As expected of a major commentary, it features extensive attention to textual issues and substantive conversation with leading critical commentators . Those who would like to see an exemplary representative of American evangelical biblical scholarship need look no further than this volume.
Princeton Seminary Bulletin
The finest commentary on Isaiah to date.
Stone Campbell Journal
An excellent introduction for interpreting and a stimulus for preaching Scripture. This must rank as one of the best commentaries available.
Themelios

Studying the Bible can be a daunting prospect, with each passage revealing new truths at every reading. The Studies on the Go series is designed to help keep your youth group focused and exciting, exploring the rich depths in every book of the bible. In Genesis, Laurie Polich-Short delivers a set of 30 in-depth study sessions to unlock the potential in the first book of the Bible. Every chapter is examined with care and matched with questions to promote discussion in a group study setting. These segments also include tips to help your students apply what they learn in their everyday lives. The Studies on the Go series has provided invaluable resources for small group leaders, and Genesis is a title in that same tradition. Structured study questions and varied discussion topics promise a rich experience and deeper understanding of God s word for your small group."

Dale Patrick examines the first five books of the Bible--the Pentateuch--the Law.He provides an effective method for studying and understanding this vital part of the canon. His introduction concentrates on the exposition of the major thrust of Old Testament Law: the Ten Commandments, the Book of the Covenant, the Deuteronomic Law, the Holiness Code, and the Priestly Law.Law--rules and regulations, concepts and principles, legal codes--written and unwritten. Patrick tackles important questions surrounding the formation of the Law. What is the Law? How was it formulated? What implications does the Law of the Israelites have for Christians today? Patrick's deft handling and answering of these questions results in a book that provides a means to understand the specific rules governing the concepts and principles of the written law so that we may grasp the unwritten law; i.e., the justice, righteousness, and holiness required by God.Patrick offers critical exposition in a format that makes a seemingly difficult and esoteric part of the Bible accessible to the reader. This introductory text serves as a springboard to further study.

W. Eugene March shares the amazing journey of God s chosen people from slavery in Egypt to the freedom before entering into the Promised Land as described in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. This eight-week study focuses on real life issues such as conflicts, leadership, holy living, and offerings. While these books of the Bible take a scholars approach to the story of the Israelites, Immersion Bible Studies: Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers is written in easy to understand language that explains and clarifies the Scripture and helps grow our faith. Easy-to-follow, step-by-step suggestions for leading a group are provided, as well as questions to facilitate class discussion. Immersion, inspired by a fresh translation the Common English Bible stands firmly on Scripture and helps readers explore the emotional, spiritual, and intellectual needs of their personal faith. More importantly, they ll be able to discover God s revelation through readings and reflections."

In this work, Julia Rhyder provides new insights into the relationship between the Holiness legislation in Leviticus 17-26 and processes of cultic centralization in the Persian period. The author departs from the classical theory that Leviticus 17-26 merely presume, with minor modifications, a concept of centralization articulated in Deuteronomy. She shows how Leviticus 17-26 use ritual legislation to make a new, and distinctive case as to why the Israelites must defer to a central sanctuary, standardized ritual processes, and a hegemonic priesthood. This discourse of centralization reflects the historical challenges that faced priests in Jerusalem during the Persian era: in particular, the need to compensate for the loss of a royal sponsor, to pool communal resources in order to meet socio-economic pressures, and to find new means of negotiating with the sanctuary at Mount Gerizim and with a growing diaspora.