Judges

by Serge Frolov

Overview

This commentary is the eighteenth published volume in The Forms of the Old Testament Literature (FOTL), a series that aims to present a form-critical analysis of the books and units in the Hebrew Bible. Serge Frolov's valuable study of Judges, addressing both synchronic and diachronic perspectives, offers the first full-scale form-critical treatment of Judges since 1922 and represents an important application of form criticism as practiced today.

Fundamentally exegetical, Frolov's work examines the structure, genre, setting, and intention of Judges. Focusing on the canonical Hebrew text, Frolov argues that what we know as the book of Judges is not a literary unit but rather a series of interconnected units that are for the most part closely linked to adjoining books. In particular, he shows how the sequence "apostasy-oppression-repentance-deliverance" traverses the boundary between Judges and Samuel. Frolov also analyzes the history behind the form-critical discussion of this book and exposes the exegetical process so as to enable students and pastors to engage in their own analysis and interpretation of Judges.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780802829672
Publisher:	Eerdmans, William B. Publishing Company
Publication date:	05/22/2013
Series:	The Forms of the Old Testament Literature (FOTL)
Pages:	390
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Serge Frolov is Nate and Ann Levine Professor of JewishStudies and associate professor of religious studies atSouthern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.,

Table of Contents

Abbreviations and Symbols vii

Editors' Foreword xii

Author's Preface xv

Methodological Introduction 1

Judges

Chapter 1 Judges as a Whole: What Lies Beneath 11

The Individual Units of Judges

Chapter 2 Major Component 1: Wrapping Up or Winding Down? (Judges 1:1-26) 33

Chapter 3 Major Component 2: The Wages of Greed (Judges 1:27-3:6) 55

Chapter 4 Major Component 3: Vicious Circles (Judges 3:7-1 Samuel 7:17) 87

Chapter 5 Major Component 3, Part 1: The Rhetoric of Bare Bones (Judges 3:7-11) 101

Chapter 6 Major Component 3, Part 2: Whacked in the Outhouse (Judges 3:12-31) 105

Chapter 7 Major Component 3, Part 3: (Really) Desperate Housewives (Judges 4:1-5:31) 120

Chapter 8 Major Component 3, Part 4: Like Father Like Son (Judges 6:1-10:5) 155

Chapter 9 Major Component 3, Part 5: The Bride of YHWH (Judges 10:6-12:15) 203

Chapter 10 Major Component 3, Part 6: Pro and Contra (Judges 13:1-1 Samuel 7:17) 230

Chapter 11 Major Component 3, Part 6, Section 1: A Hero in Context (Judges 13:2-16:31) 239

Chapter 12 Major Component 3, Part 6, Section 2: The Blood Money (Judges 17:1-6) 277

Chapter 13 Major Component 3, Part 6, Section 3: The Upside-Down Conquest (Judges 17:7-18:31) 287

Chapter 14 Major Component 3, Part 6, Section 4: Things Fall Apart (Judges 19:1-21:25) 301

Appendix

Chapter 15 The Enneateuch (Genesis 1:1-2 Kings 25:30) 333

Chapter 16 Synchronic and Diachronic 347

Glossary of Genres 363

Supplemental Bibliography 368

Editorial Reviews

Journal of the American Oriental Society
"Productively provocative and insightful."

Journal of Hebrew Scriptures
"Frolov's commentary is stimulating and interesting. . . . A worthwhile resource."

The Bible Today
"A fine resource for any serious investigation of the book of Judges."

Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
"The vivid explications throughout this volume represent a striking moment, exegetically and methodologically, in research in Judges, illuminating some of Israel's darkest times and their instructive value for godly thought and living today."

From the Publisher