The Old Testament: A Very Short IntroductionOxford University Press, 2008 M03 28 - 160 páginas Eminent biblical scholar Michael D. Coogan offers here a wide-ranging and stimulating exploration of the Old Testament, illuminating its importance as history, literature, and sacred text. Coogan explains the differences between the Bible of Jewish tradition (the "Hebrew Bible") and the Old Testament of Christianity, and also examines the different contents of the Bibles used by Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, and Protestants. He looks at the rise of modern biblical scholarship as well as the recovery of ancient Near Eastern literatures and their significance for biblical interpretation. Coogan explores the use of invented dialogue and historical fiction in the Old Testament, the presence of mythic elements in apparently historical accounts, and the relationship of ancient Israelite myths to those of their neighbors. The book considers the Old Testament's idea of divine justice, especially in Ecclesiastes and Job, and looks at notions of the afterlife in the ancient Near East and in ancient Israel. Coogan highlights the significance of the history and literature of the Old Testament and describes how non-biblical evidence, such as archaeological data and texts, has placed the Old Testament in a larger and more illuminating context. The book also discusses law and ritual in the Bible as well as the biblical understandings of prophecy. Here then is a marvelous overview of one of the great pillars of Western religion and culture, a book whose significance has endured for thousands of years and which remains vitally important today for Jews, Christians, and Muslims worldwide. About the Series: Oxford's Very Short Introductions offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects--from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, and Literary Theory to History. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume provides trenchant and provocative--yet always balanced and complete--discussions of the central issues in a given topic. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of the subject in question, demonstrating how it has developed and influenced society. Whatever the area of study, whatever the topic that fascinates the reader, the series has a handy and affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable. |
Contenido
1 | |
2 Interpretive strategies | 12 |
3 The Old Testament and history | 22 |
4 The Old Testament and myth | 33 |
a deep probe | 43 |
biblical law | 53 |
ritual in ancient Israel | 64 |
8 Prophets and prophecies | 74 |
10 Poetry and dissent | 100 |
11 Let us now praise famous menand women | 111 |
12 The enduring significance of the Old Testament | 121 |
Chronology | 125 |
The Canons of the Hebrew BibleOld Testament | 127 |
References | 130 |
Further Reading | 132 |
135 | |
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Términos y frases comunes
Aaron Abraham Amos ancient Israel ancient Near East Assyrian Babylonian Ben Sira biblical and nonbiblical biblical writers book of Isaiah book of Job book of Kings called canon Chapter Christian chronology Commandments Covenant Code David Deborah Decalogue deity described Deuteronomy divinely given Documentary Hypothesis early Egyptian eighth century bce example Exod Ezekiel five books Genesis genres gods Hammurapi Hezekiah holy Hosea human hymns interpretation Isaiah Israelites Jeremiah Jerusalem Jewish Job’s Joshua Judah Judaism Kingdom of Israel Kingdom of Judah laws Leviticus literature Lord Maccabees Megiddo Mesha Stela millennium bce Moab modern Moses Moses’s myth mythical narrative Noah nonbiblical sources Numbers Old Testament Passover Pharaoh PHILOSOPHY poetry priests Promised Land Proverbs Psalms punishment religious ritual Samuel scholars scriptures Scrolls Sennacherib Sennacherib’s Short Introduction Sinai Sira sixth century bce slaves Solomon Southern Kingdom Torah unleavened bread Wisdom word worship written Yahweh