A complete revision and modernisation of this classic introduction to Hebrew.

This addition to Sheffield's acclaimed Old Testament Guides series introduces students not only to Proverbs but also to the genre of 'wisdom literature' in general (dealing with such questions as the origin and location of 'wisdom' in ancient Israel). Martin discusses the structure of the book of Proverbs as a whole, provides a guided reading to the more or less sustained discourses in chapters 1-9 and to the collections of proverb-type sentences in the remaining chapters, and considers the relationship of Proverbs to other ancient Near Eastern literature. The Guide is completed by essays on 'The Feminine in the Book of Proverbs' and 'Wisdom and Theology'.>

The Book of Judges forms part of that section of the Old Testament known as the 'Historical Books'. These books are theological interpretations of history, the word of God revealed in the events of Israel's past. The Book of Judges describes the continuing attempts of the Israelites to settle in central Palestine in the period between 1250 and 1000 BC and consists of a series of stories about individual judges who, in the earlier period of settlement, as military leaders, saved the people in attacks by hostile neighbours and in the later period of settlement became judicial figures of considerable importance. In his introductory section Dr Martin tries to discern the objective truths behind the theological interpretations of historical events; he also discusses the original form of the book, its chronology, multiple authorship, sources, and the nature and role of the judges. In the established style of the series the N.E.B. translation of the text then follows, divided into brief sections and alternating with passages of commentary. The results of recent Old Testament scholarship and modern theological thought are conveyed in simple language to the student and layman.