Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This book includes historical and literary studies arising from a seminar on Biblical History in the Near Eastern Setting sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The seminar director, William W. Hallo of Yale University, has contributed the introductory essay on the comparative method. Other essays address biblical topics in the patriarchal narratives, prophetic literature, historical literature, and apocalyptic. The topics are investigated against the background of Near Eastern itineraries, chronicles, mythological texts, prophecies, and other relevant contextual literature.
Table of Contents
Hallo, W. W. Biblical history in its Near Eastern setting.--Millar, W. R. Oral poetry and Dumuzi's Dream.--Andreasen, N. E. A. Genesis 14 in its Near Eastern context.--Savage, M. Literary criticism and Biblical studies: a rhetorical analysis of the Joseph narrative.--Schmitt, J. J. Pre-Israelite Jerusalem.--Saint-Laurent, G. E. Light from Ras Shamra on Elijah's ordeal upon Mount Carmel.--Polley, M. E. Hebrew prophecy within the Council of Jahweh, examined in its ancient Near Eastern setting.--Evans, C. D. Judah's foreign policy from Hezekiah to Josiah.--White, J. B. Universalization of history in Deutero-Isaiah.--Davison, J. M. The oikoumene in ferment: a cross-cultural study of the sixth century.--Schultz, C. The political tensions reflected in Ezra-Nehemiah.--Thomas, J. D. Jewish apocalyptic and the comparative method.--Jones, B. W. Antiochus Epiphanes and the persecution of the Jews.