The Old Testament Text and Context

includes index and biblioraphy

Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION The Purpose of This Book 1 How to Use This Book 4 How to Evaluate Bible Translations 5 Outline of Israelite History 8 Archaeology and the Bible 10 Advantages and Limitations of Archaeology for Understanding the Bible 12 Chronological Periods of Biblical History 14 Oral Tradition and the Development of the Canon 19 Modern Methods in Studying the Bible 23 Geography and Climate of the Ancient Near East 31 Mesopotamia 31 Egypt 35 Syria-Palestine 37 Conclusions 42 CHAPTER 2: THE PREMONARCHIC PERIOD The Book of Genesis Primeval History: Genesis 1-11 Ancestral Narratives: Genesis 12-50 The Exodus-Settlement Period Historical Background The Figure of Moses The Route of the Exodus The Giving of the Law Law Codes The Wilderness Period The Book of Joshua The Conquest Account Conquest Theories Settlement in the Hill Country The Book of fudges Literary Analysis Analysis of Distinctive Features A Summary of Judges Cultural Analysis Analysis of Point of View Archaeological Analysis CHAPTER 3: THE EARLY MONARCHIC PERIOD The Early Monarchy The End of the Judges` Model of Administration Saul`s Reign as Israel`s First King David the King David`s Court History (2 Sam 10-20) Solomon`s Reign (1 Kgs 1-11; 2 Chr 1-9) The Divided Monarchy Division within the Kingdom Kings and Prophets in the Divided Kingdom Characteristics of Prophets Call Narrative and Its Description Compulsion Message Truth Vocabulary Enacted Prophecies Both Male and Female Prophets Manner of Prophetic Utterance Social Role Prophetic Immunity Audience Remnant Theme Elijah and Elisha The Figure of Elijah The Elisha Cycle CHAPTER 4: THE LATE MONARCHIC PERIOD Political and Historical Overview Prophets in the Late Monarchic Period The Book of Amos The Book of Hosea The Book of Isaiah (Isa 1-39) TheBook of Micah Prophetic Voices of the Late Seventh Century The Book of Zephaniah The Book of Nahum The Book of Habbakuk TheBook of Obadiah The Book of Jeremiah CHAPTER 5: THE EXILE AND THE PERSIAN PERIOD Exilic Prophecy The Book of Ezekiel The Book of Lamentations Isaiah of the Exile (Isa 40-55) The Jewish Identity Movement Persian Rule Postexilic Prophecy The Books of Haggai and Zechariah (Zech 1-8) Isaiah of the Return (Isa 56-66) The Book of Zechariah (Zech 9-14) The Book of Malachi The Book of Joel The Book of Jonah Wisdom Literature and Psalmody Introduction Wisdom Is Where You Find It The Book of Proverbs The Book of Ecclesiastes The Book of lob The Book of Psalms The Song of Songs (Canticles) Postexilic Narrative The Books of Chronicles The Books of Ezra and Nehemiah The Book of Ruth The Book of Esther CHAPTER 6: THE HELLENISTIC PERIOD Historical Overview Alexander and the Diadochi Palestine under the Hellenistic Rulers Temporary Independence: The Hasmonean Kingdom The Book of Daniel Literary Analysis Tales of the Young Men (Dan 1-6) Apocalyptic Visions (Dan 7-12) Summary of the Visions The Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical Books Tobit Judith Additions to Esther Wisdom of Solomon Sirach Baruch The Letter of Jeremiah Additions to Daniel The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Jews Susanna Bel and the Dragon 1 and 2 Maccabees 1 Esdras (Latin Vulgate: 3 Esdras or Greek Ezra) 2 Esdras (4, 5, 6 Ezra; Apocalypse of Ezra; Latin Vulgate: 4 Esdras) Prayer of Manasseh CHAPTER 7: CONCLUDING REMARKS Developing Traditions Relevance of Studying the Bible in Today`s World How to Find Answers to Your Questions: Additional Resources