A Brief Guide to the Hebrew Bible

by Hans M. Barstad

Overview

The Bible is the most important cultural and religious document in the Western world. Te three monotheistic faiths-Judaism, Christianity, and Islam-have all grown out of the traditions that we find in the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible. The Bible therefore has a natural place in a liberal arts curriculum.

-from the introduction

So begins Barstad in this comprehensive, student-friendly introductory textbook outlining the contours of the Old Testament literature in simple and straightforward prose. This text is an excellent primer as well as an invaluable reference book to which students will turn throughout their education.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780664233259
Publisher:	Westminster John Knox Press
Publication date:	08/23/2010
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Hans M. Barstad is Professor of Hebrew and Old Testament Studies at the University of Edinburgh, and is the author of five books.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

1 Introduction 1

2 The Priestly History: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers 11

3 The Deuteronomistic History: Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings 53

4 The Chronicler's History: Ezra, Nehemiah, 1 and 2 Chronicles 79

5 The Prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Daniel 98

6 The Poetic Literature and Wisdom Literature: Psalms, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes 133

7 Novellas: Jonah, Ruth, Esther 170

Glossary 175

Index of Hebrew Bible Texts 197

Index of Subjects 203