This volume is part of a series of English translations of the Syriac Peshitta along with the Syriac text carried out by an international team of scholars.

KAnig David ist eine der herausragendsten Gestalten der Alten Welt. Sein sagenhafter Aufstieg vom Hirten zum KAnig durch den Sieg A1/4ber Goliath hat Dichter und KA1/4nstler A1/4ber die Jahrhunderte inspiriert. In dieser erstmals auf deutsch verAffentlichten Biographie zeigt der renommierte amerikanische Alttestamentler Steven McKenzie auf, daA viele Geschichten, die sich um David ranken, tatsAchlich Mythen sind: Die Bezeichnung "Hirte" ist eine Metapher fA1/4r "KAnig," und David kam aus einer reichen Familie der Oberschicht und nicht aus "kleinen VerhAltnissen." Der David, der bei kritischer Durchsicht der biblischen Texte, althistorischen Dokumente und neuen archAologischen Funde zum Vorschein kommt, war ein ThronrAuber, Ehebrecher und MArder, der seinen Aufstieg zum KAnig geschickter Machtpolitik und Terror verdankte. Steven McKenzie bietet mit dieser sorgfAltig recherchierten und spannend geschriebenen Biographie ein provokantes Portrait. Die englische Originalausgabe wurde mit dem Preis "Best Book of the Year 2000" der Los Angeles Times Book Review ausgezeichnet.

Using narrative devices such as allusions and free associations, multivalent expressions, and irony, the author of Esther wrote a story that is about a Jewish woman, Esther, during the time of the Persian exile of Yehudites, and the Persian king, Ahasuerus, who was in power at the time. At various junctures, the author also used secret writing, or we could say that he conveys mixed messages: one is a surface message, but another, often conflicting message lies beneath the surface. For instance, the outer portrayal of the king as one of the main protagonists is an ironic strategy used by the author to highlight the king's impotent, indecisive, "antihero" status. He may wield authority-as symbolized by his twice-delegated signet ring-but he remains powerless. Among all the concealments in the story, the concealment of God stands out as the most prominent and influential example. A growing number of scholars regard the book of Esther as a "comic diversion," the function and intention of which are to entertain the reader. However, Grossman is more convinced by Mikhail Bakhtin's approach, and he labels his application of this approach to the reading of Esther as "theological carnivalesque." Bakhtin viewed the carnival (or the carnivalesque genre) as a challenge by the masses to the governing establishment and to accepted social conventions. He described the carnival as an eruption of ever-present but suppressed popular sentiments. The connection between the story of Esther and Bakhtin's characterization of the carnivalesque in narrative is evident especially in the book of Esther's use of the motifs of "reversal" and "transformation." For example, the young girl Esther is transformed from an exiled Jewess into a queen in one of the turnabouts that characterize the narrative. Many more examples are provided in this analysis of one of the Bible's most fascinating books.

The world cries out for a prophetic word to the chaos, unrest, and destructiveness of our times. Can the biblical prophets speak into our world today? Old Testament ethicist M. Daniel Carroll R. shows that learning from the prophets can make us better prepared for Christian witness. In this guide to the ethical material of Old Testament prophetic literature, Carroll highlights key ethical concerns of the three prophets most associated with social critique--Amos, Isaiah, and Micah--showing their relevance for those who wish to speak with a prophetic voice today. The book focuses on the pride that generates injustice and the religious life that legitimates an unacceptable status quo--both of which bring judgment--as well as the ethical importance of the visions of restoration after divine judgment. Each of these components in the biblical text makes its own particular call to readers to respond in an appropriate manner. The book also links biblical teaching with prophetic voices of the modern era.

An image rich, passage-by-passage commentary that integrates textual and artifactual context from the ancient Near East to inform our understanding and interpretation of the Hebrew Bible-while remaining respectful to the inerrancy of Scripture. Without a deep knowledge of the ancient cultures the Old Testament was born from, we can be tempted to impose our own culture on the text, potentially distorting it. This unique Bible backgrounds commentary examines: The history of the ancient Near East as a means of recovering knowledge of the events that shaped the lives of the people. The archaeology as a means of recovering the lifestyle reflected in the material cultures. The literature of the ancient Near East as a means of understanding the heart and soul of the people who inhabited the ancient world that Israel shared. Detailed exegetical notes are combined with comparative discussions of the cultural settings that help scholars interpret the Pentateuch. This volume of the celebrated Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary series brings the first five books of the Bible into sharper focus-enabling scholars, pastors, and laity to access rich data from over one hundred and seventy years of explorations and excavations in the Near East. THE ZONDERVAN ILLUSTRATED BIBLE BACKGROUNDS COMMENTARY SERIES Invites you to enter the world of the Old Testament with a company of seasoned guides, experts who will give new insights into these cherished writings. Features: Over 2000 photographs, drawings, maps, diagrams, and charts provide a visual feast that breathes fresh life into the text. Passage-by-passage commentary presents archaeological findings, historical explanations, geographic insights, notes on manners and customs, and more. Analysis into the literature of the ancient Near East will open your eyes to new depths of understanding both familiar and unfamiliar passages. Written by an international team of 30 specialists, all top scholars in background studies.