An Introduction to the Old Testament: Sacred Texts and Imperial Contexts of the Hebrew Bible - Hardcover

Carr, David M.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 140518468X ISBN 13: 9781405184687

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010

Synopsis

This comprehensive, introductory textbook is unique in exploring the emergence of the Hebrew Bible in the broader context of world history. It particularly focuses on the influence of pre-Roman empires, empowering students with a richer understanding of Old Testament historiography. * Provides a historical context for students learning about the development and changing interpretations of biblical texts * Examines how these early stories were variously shaped by interaction with the Mesopotamian and Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Hellenistic empires * Incorporates recent research on the formation of the Pentateuch * Reveals how key biblical texts came to be interpreted by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths * Includes numerous student-friendly features, such as study questions, review sections, bibliographies, timelines, and illustrations and photos

About this title

Review:

"Carr's book is an excellent introduction to what mainstream (non-evangelical) scholars have come to believe about ancient Israel's literary history." (International Review of Biblical Studies, 2010)

From the Back Cover:

Offering readers a balanced and informative guide to the forces that shaped the Old Testament and methods for study of it, this comprehensive text explores the emergence of the Hebrew Bible in the broader context of world history. It particularly focuses on the way the Hebrew Bible was shaped by its interaction with ancient empires, empowering students with a richer understanding of the Old Testament.

In charting the development and impact of the work that forms the core of Judeo-Christian belief, the author examines how these early stories were variously shaped by contact with the Mesopotamian and Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, and Hellenistic empires. He explores the historical context of the varied readings of the Old Testament, revealing how the Bible came to be interpreted by Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths.

This introductory text engages students by placing the development and reception of biblical texts in their historical context - enabling them to explore the formation of the Hebrew Bible and also its subsequent interpretation. Numerous reader-friendly features are incorporated throughout, including study questions, review sections, bibliographies, timelines, and illustrations and photos.

About this edition

• Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 140518468X
• ISBN 13: 9781405184687
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 304