The Cambridge Bible Commentary gives the full text in the N.E.B. version, with a lucid untechnical commentary designed for students in schools and colleges, for ministers of religion, and laymen generally. The volume is meant to be read as an uninterrupted unity, with introductory sections leading straight into the text, which is itself interwoven with the commentary. The central theme of Joshua is the acquisition of the land of Canaan by the people of Israel under the leadership of Joshua, the successor of Moses.

This is the third and final volume in the comprehensive three-volume set of commentaries on all of the lectionary texts for Sunday reading (including the Psalms) and for special days in all communions, treating the readings for each year in a single volume. The three volumes are based on The Common Lectionary (1992) together with other readings kept in the Episcopal, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic churches. A complete index of texts is included in each volume, making it useful for those who do not follow the lectionary or who are looking for commentaries on specific texts. Continuing acclaim for the series GCo GC There is no better one-volume resource for the weekly task of preparing sermons grounded in biblical faith. Over the course of the past year, the four authors have become my good and trusted friends as they helped me find something to say that is both lively and true to the text.GCY GCoThe Rev. Barbara Brown Taylor, Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church, Clarkesville, Georgia GC Simply put, the best commentary series on the best lectionary. An unusual blend of biblical and homiletical skills.GCY GCoJames F. White, Professor of Liturgy, University of Notre Dame GC Its exegeses are well written and extremely helpful in preparing sermons. I and my congregation are appreciative of this source. I look forward to reading the next volume in the series, and in the meantime I find myself continuing to browse through, study, reflect upon, write in the margins of, and otherwise use the previous volume.GCY GCoThe Rev. Rebecca L. Spencer, Central Congregational Church, Providence, Rhode Island GC Professors Craddock, Hayes, Holladay, and Tucker have already established themselves as insightful and helpful interpreters of the scriptures. These volumes significantly broaden their previous contributions by embracing all the alternatives offered by the recent revision of The Common Lectionary. The publishing values GCo the convenience of a single volume, a binding that lays flat, and clear, readable type GCo make this an indispensable addition or replacement for the preacherGCOs library.GCY GCoThe Rev. Patrick J. Willson, St. StephenGCOs Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth, Texas The authors of the outstanding series teach at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. All have published extensively in their respective fields of endeavors: Fred B. Craddock, Professor of Preaching and New Testament; John H Hayes, Professor of Old Testament; Carl R. Holladay, Professor of New Testament; Gene M. Tucker, Professor of Old Testament.

Daniel, with an Introduction to Apocalyptic Literture is Volume XX of The Forms of the Old Testament Literature, a series that aims to present a form-critical analysis of every book and each unit in the Hebrew Bible. Fundamentally exegetical, the FOTL volumes examine the structure, genre, setting, and intention of the biblical literature in question. They also study the history behind the form-critical discussion of the material, attempt to bring consistency to the terminology for the genres and formulas of the biblical literature, and expose the exegetical process so as to enable students and pastors to engage in their own analysis and interpretation of the Old Testament texts. In his introduction to Jewish apocalyptic literature, John J. Collins examines the main characteristics and discusses the setting and intention of apocalyptic literature. Collins begins his discussion of Daniel with a survey of the book's anomalies and an examination of the bearing of form criticism on them. He goes on to discuss the book's place in the canon and the problems with its coherence and bilingualism. Collins's section-by-section commentary provides a structural analysis (verse-by-verse) of each section, as well as discussion of its genre, setting, and intention. The book includes bibliographies and a glossary of genres and formulas that offers concise definitions with examples and bibliography.

The Forms of the Old Testament Literature Series has long been acknowledged as a unique and valuable commentary on the Old Testament. The volumes in the FOTL series are specifically concerned to explore the structure, genre, setting, and intention of each type of biblical literature so the fullest possible meaning of Scripture can be uncovered. This new addition to the FOTL commentary series presents a complete form-critical analysis of the book of Micah. Ehud Ben Zvi looks at how Micah was read by its ancient audience and explores the social setting that stands behind it. Emphasis is placed on the construction of the past, on the images of the future, and on the relevance of both of these to the present of the community or communities of readers for whom the book was intended. His various lines of investigation lead to a deeper understanding of Micah and its enduring message.

1 Samuel is Volume VII of The Forms of the Old Testament Literature, a series that aims to present a form-critical analysis of every book and each unit in the Hebrew Bible. Fundamentally exegetical, the FOTL volumes examine the structure, genre, setting, and intention of the biblical literature in question. They also study the history behind the form-critical discussion of the material, attempt to bring consistency to the terminology for the genres and formulas of the biblical literature, and expose the exegetical process so as to enable students and pastors to engage in their own analysis and interpretation of the Old Testament texts. Antony Campbell's valuable form-critical analysis of 1 Samuel highlights both the literary development of the text itself and its meanings for its audience. A skilled student of the Hebrew scriptures and their ancient context, Campbell shows modern readers the process of editing and reworking that shaped 1 Samuel's final form. As Campbell's study reveals, the tensions and contradictions that exist in the present text reflect a massive change in the way of life of ancient Israel. Samuel, the first prophet, here emerges to preside over the rise of Saul, Israel's first king, to be the agent of Saul's rejection, and to anoint David as Israel's next king and the first established head of a royal dynasty. The book of 1 Samuel captures the work of God within this interplay of sociopolitical forces, and Campbell fruitfully explores the text both as a repository of traditions of great significance for Israel and as a paradigm of Israel's use of narrative for theological expression.

Because of its long oral tradition the Old Testament includes a great variety of types of literature--narrative, poetry, proverbs, hymns. Form criticism analyzes these genres within the biblical material in terms of structure, intention, and setting. Gene Tucker clearly defines the basic principles and methods of form criticism and outlines its relation to other disciplines.