The Divine Drama: The Old Testament as LiteratureJames Clarke & Co., 2001 - 798 עמודים The Bible, as is often said, is the world's least-read bestseller. That is particularly true of the Old Testament. People are often put off by the sheer bulk of the material and its frequently undistinguished quality. John Dancy has selected large samples from most of the canonical and apocryphal books, amounting to just under a third of the total, chosen for artistic merit and intrinsic interest rather than for representative status or theological value. Literature of this stature, he says, should not be restricted to academics and believers. To make it more approachable, the text is presented with commentary on the same page, in smaller type so that attention is never diverted from the original. The commentary mostly concentrates on literary matters but provides technical explanations where necessary. In addition a sensitive and sound introduction also puts the Hebrew writings in the historical context of the ancient Near East. Extracts are used from a variety of translations, preferring the most faithful in language, tone and style for each section. Accuracy is a prime concern, but so is poetry. Above all, the selections bring out the inherent dramatic qualities of the verse dialogues and narrative prose. Nothing quite like this has yet been made available. The Divine Drama will be a welcome addition to the library of any thoughtful reader who cares for good stories. |
תוכן
Acknowledgements | 9 |
Hebrew Storytelling | 17 |
Archaeology and the Old Testament | 29 |
21 | 75 |
TEXT AND COMMENTARY | 222 |
34 | 771 |
Introduction to the Pentateuch | 785 |
797 | |
מונחים וביטויים נפוצים
Abraham Absalom Adonijah Ahab ancient answered Assyrian Baal Babylon Babylonian Balaam ben Sira blessing bring brother brought called comes command cont contrast covenant curse Daniel daughter David death earth Edom Egypt Egyptian Elijah enemies Esau Esther exile eyes father give God's gods Greek ground hand heart heaven Hebrew Hittite holy human Isaiah Israel Israelites Jacob Jehoiakim Jeremiah Jerusalem Jews Joab Jonathan Jordan Joseph Judah king king's kingdom land literature live look LORD LORD's Moab Moses myth narrative nations Nebuchadnezzar night NRSV oracle parallel Pharaoh Philistines poem poetry praise priest prophets Psalm punishment replied Samuel Saul Saul's sent servant Sisera Solomon Song speak story tell Temple theme told took translation turn Ugaritic verses whole wife Wisdom woman word worship YHWH