The focus of the contributions are models of constructions of individual, personal and collective identity in the ancient Orient, in Roman antiquity, in early Judaism and in early Christianity. These contributions are intended to supplement the work published in the first volume (BThSt 161: "Constructions of individual and collective identity I"). It becomes clear that the individual constructions of identity are not only shaped by religious and cultural requirements, but also by specific interests of those behind the texts Authors are intended. This explains central differences: for example, in how much individuality is granted to the individual as a member of a community or what role "strangers" are allowed to play in a society and how people outside a community are rated.

Der Sammelband enthAlt knapp dreiAig substantielle Artikel namhafter zumeist alttestamentlicher Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler beider Konfessionen und unterschiedlicher Generationen zu den fA"r die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft grundlegenden Themen Theologie, Philologie, Recht und Geschichte des antiken Israel. Die LektA"re der einzelnen BeitrAge zeigt, dass diese Bereiche in vielfAltiger Weise miteinander in Beziehung stehen und einander beeinflussen. Damit wird das Werk von Udo RA"terswArden zugleich aufgenommen, gewA"rdigt und weitergedacht.