A study of the importance of variant forms of Old Testament narratives in prompting the development of the criticism of the Bible. The recognition of the recurrence of stories in variant forms in the Old Testament has been seminal to the birth and development of biblical criticism. The author assesses the role of the “double narrative phenomenon” in the evolution of Old Testament methodology, from its earliest documentary theories to its most recent literary ones, with the help of current literary, folklore and textual studies.

Explaining their sources and the nature of their composition, Reinhard Kratz provides an introduction to the narrative books of the Old Testament (Genesis to Nehemiah). He seeks to do this as far as possible without presupposing any hypotheses and on the basis of a few undisputed basic assumptions: a distinction between Priestly and non-Priestly text in the Pentateuch, the special position of Deuteronomy, a Deuteronomistic revision of Joshua-2 Kings, and the literary use of the books of Samuel and Kings by Chronicles. Any further distinctions are based on observations of the text which are well established and not on literary-critical or redaction-critical distinctions. Kratz argues that what is important is how the text is read.This is the first study of its kind since Martin Noth's classic studies of thePentateuch and Deuteronomic history. It will be an invaluable resource for allscholars and students in the field.

From celebrated translator of the Hebrew Bible Robert Alter, the "groundbreaking" (Los Angeles Times) book that explores the Bible as literature, a winner of the National Jewish Book Award. Renowned critic and translator Robert Alter's The Art of Biblical Narrative has radically expanded our view of the Bible by recasting it as a work of literary art deserving studied criticism. In this seminal work, Alter describes how the Hebrew Bible's many authors used innovative literary styles and devices such as parallelism, contrastive dialogue, and narrative tempo to tell one of the most revolutionary stories of all time: the revelation of a single God. In so doing, Alter shows, these writers reshaped not only history, but also the art of storytelling itself.

The Old Testament's stories are intriguing, mesmerizing, and provocative not only due to their ancient literary craft but also because of their ongoing relevance. In this volume, well suited to college and seminary use, Jerome Walsh explains how to interpret these narrative passages of Scripture based on standard literary elements such as plot, characterization, setting, pace, point of view, and patterns of repetition. What makes this book an exceptional resource is an appendix that offers practical examples of narrative interpretation- something no other book on Old Testament interpretation offers.

For well over two centuries the question of the composition of the Pentateuch has been among the most central and hotly debated issues in the field of biblical studies. In this book, Joel Baden presents a fresh and comprehensive argument for the Documentary Hypothesis. Critically engaging both older and more recent scholarship, he fundamentally revises and reorients the classical model of the formation of the Pentateuch. Interweaving historical and methodological chapters with detailed textual case studies, Baden provides a critical introduction to the history of Pentateuchal scholarship, discussions on the most pressing issues in the current debate, and a practical model for the study of the biblical text.

Historical and Literary Approaches

This brightly illustrated Old Testament story about the amazing life of Joseph comes straight from the Bible, rewritten so even younger children can understand. Captivating for first readers and young listeners alike, this inspiring story teaches kids to have faith that God will help them through difficult times. As your children listen to you read or read for themselves about the beautiful coat Joseph’s father gave his son, they will be nurturing a lifelong interest in the Bible. They’ll learn about the strange dreams Joseph had—and what they meant. They’ll discover how Joseph’s brothers treated him...and how differently Joseph treated them. From rags to riches, Joseph’s life—as colorful as his coat—teaches lessons that are as important today as they were in Bible times.

Chances are there are stories in the Bible you've never heard or have forgotten. Or maybe you're like many people--completely missing it when someone makes a cultural or literary reference to a common Bible story. Either way, this visually rich collection of true tales curated especially for adults will surprise, entertain, and inform, as you journey through some of the most important stories in the Old Testament.

Here is a collection of some of the most powerful and wonderful stories from the Old Testament. We can trace the lives of memorable Biblical characters across the generations including Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Moses, Ruth, Saul and David. Their lives are played out in turbulent times - and the drama of great floods, plagues, journeys, and battles is revealed to us through stories that have been retold with spirit and originality by Berlie Doherty. From this epic sweep, Berlie Doherty's narrative draws out the emotions of real men and women: their hopes and fears, grief and joy, fulfilment and suffering, compassion and betrayal. Berlie Doherty brings us to an understanding of the promises that these people keep and the mistakes they make. Through all this we discover more about God and our faith in him. Fully illustrated throughout by Jason Cockcroft with both sumptuous colour and evocative black and white artwork, this collection of Bible stories is a book to cherish.

In this newly revised and expanded second edition, Victor Matthews and Don Benjamin have gathered key ancient documents from Eastern Mediterranean traditions that provide a literary backdrop for Old Testament writings.