Applying criteria for the identification of biblical Hebrew poetry, Jason M. H. Gaines distinguishes a nearly complete poetic Priestly stratum in the Pentateuch (“Poetic P”), coherent in literary, narrative, and ideological terms, from a later prose redaction (“Prosaic P”), which is fragmentary, supplemental, and distinct in thematic and theological concern. Gaines describes the whole of the “Poetic P” source and offers a Hebrew reconstruction of the document. This dramatically innovative understanding of the history of the Priestly composition opens up new vistas in the study of the Pentateuch.

The poetic books of the Old Testament--Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon--are often called humankind's reach toward God. The other books of the Old Testament picture God's reach toward man through the redemptive story. Yet these five books reveal the very hear of men and women struggling with monumental issues such as suffering, sin, forgiveness, joy, worship, and the passionate love between a man and woman. C. Hassell Bullock, a noted Old Testament scholar, delves deep into the hearts of the five poetic books, offering readers helpful details such as harmeneutical considerations for each book, theological content and themes, detailed analysis of each book, and cultural perspectives. Hebrew is a language of "intrinsic musical quality that naturally supports poetic expression," says Bullock in his introduction. That poetic expression comes from the heart of the Old Testament writers and reaches all of us exactly where we are in our own struggles and joys.

Preliminary Material /Richard Elliott Friedman -- The Prophet and the Historian: The Acquisition of Historical Information from Literary Sources /Richard Elliott Friedman -- The Epic Traditions of Early Israel: Epic Narrative and the Reconstruction of Early Israelite Institutions /Frank Moore Cross -- Doctrine by Misadventure: Between the Israelite Source and the Biblical Historian /Baruch Halpern -- Zion and Jerusalem as Religious and Political Capital: Ideology and Utopia /Moshe Weinfeld -- The Life and Times of King David According to the Book of Psalms /Alan M. Cooper -- The Origins of Universal History /Arnaldo Momigliano -- Select Bibliography /Richard Elliott Friedman -- Index of Biblical Citations /Richard Elliott Friedman.

Embedded within the Bible lies a largely unknown story of the founding of early Israel and its religion, interwoven with tales documenting the creation of the Torah. Known as the Priestly Source, the complete text has not appeared on its own in either Hebrew or English—until now. This edition contains for the first time the full biblical Hebrew along with a new translation, annotated to guide readers through the text. This translation by Liane M. Feldman, an authority on the text, reveals the mythical foundation for the practice of sacrifice in ancient Israelite and Jewish religion. Beginning with the creation of the world and ending at the edge of the Promised Land, the Priestly Source offers a distinctive account from over two thousand years ago of the origins of the people of Israel and a unique perspective on their relationship with their god, Yahweh—one in stark contrast to what is found when we read the Bible now.

"Embedded within the Bible lies a largely unknown story of the founding of ancient Israel and its religion, interwoven with other ancient tales nearly two thousand years ago in the process of creating the Torah. Generations of scholars have painstakingly worked to recreate the 'Priestly Source,' also known as 'P.' The complete text has never appeared on its own in Hebrew or in English--until now. Beginning with the creation of the world and ending at the edge of the promised land, the Priestly Source offers a distinctive account of the origins of the people of Israel and a unique perspective on their relationship with their god, Yahweh--one in stark contrast to what is found when we read the Bible now. Translated by Liane Feldman, an authority on the text, The Consuming Fire reveals the mythical foundation for the practice of sacrifice in ancient Israelite and Jewish religion. By presenting this fascinating material on its own, The Consuming Fire offers an opportunity to expand our understanding of ancient traditions, and to find something new and beautiful at the source"

Studies in Deuteronomy was compiled as a respectful tribute to Professor C.J. Labuschagne and was presented to him on the occasion of his 65th birthday. The choice of the book of Deuteronomy as a fitting topic for a collection of commemorative essays reflects the focus of Professor Labuschagne's own research on this part of the Bible in recent years. The essays, which employ a variety of methodological approaches to the study of Deuteronomy, deal with such subjects as Masoretic, Septuagintal and Qumran variations in the text of Deuteronomy, Deuteronomic elements in other biblical books, and the reception history of Deuteronomy in the Jewish and Christian worlds. Included also is a first edition of some Deuteronomy manuscripts from Qumran, Masada and Nahal Hever.

Written by leading experts in the field, The Book of Genesis: Composition, Reception, and Interpretation offers a wide-ranging treatment of the main aspects of Genesis study. Its twenty-nine essays fall under four main sections. The first section contains studies of a more general nature, including the history of Genesis in critical study, Genesis in literary and historical study, as well as the function of Genesis in the Pentateuch. In the second portion, scholars present commentary on or interpretation of specific passages (or sections) of Genesis, as well as essays on its formation, genres, and themes. The third part includes essays on the textual history and reception of Genesis in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. The final section explores the theologies of the book of Genesis, including essays on Genesis and ecology and Genesis in the context of Jewish thought.