Introduction to Old Testament Study

by John Hayes

Overview

This volume will provide an understanding of the issues, problems, and methods of approach in contemporary Old Testament study.

Dr. Hayes first describes the development of the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible and how it came to exist in three canonical forms--Jewish, Catholic, and Protestant. He then discusses the goals of textual criticism: an understanding of the transmission of the text in its various forms throughout history and the reconstruction of the text in its most authentic and original form. New terms are defined as they are introduced in each section.

An examination of the critical methods of study of the Old Testament--literary, historical, and form critical--are offered. The author presents opposing views fairly, and his helpful summaries of the topics under discussion make the book an ideal study text.

The background, tools, and methods used to examine and interpret the main sections of the Old Testament--the Pentateuch, the historical books, the prophetic writings, the Psalms, wisdom literature, and the Apocalyptic writings are all presented in the second half of the study. Bibliographies in each of the chapters include only sources available in English or in translation for those who plan further study.

Beginning students interested in an introduction to, and a limited history of, Old Testament study will value this well-organized and lucidly written book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780687013630
Publisher:	Abingdon Press
Publication date:	04/28/1979
Pages:	404
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

(2001) John H. Hayes is Professor of Old Testament at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.

Table of Contents

	Abbreviations	10
	Preface	13
1.	The Canon of the Old Testament	15
A.	Early References to a Developing Canon	20
B.	The Close of the Jewish Canon	27
C.	The Old Testament in the Early Church	34
D.	Protestants and the Hebrew Canon	41
E.	The Canon and Contemporary Studies	43
2.	The Textual Criticism of the Old Testament	45
A.	Hebrew Manuscripts and Texts	48
B.	The Samaritan and Greek Texts	58
C.	Differences Among the Texts	68
D.	Variant Readings and Scribal Practices	74
E.	Rules and Principles in Textual Criticism	77
3.	The Historical-Critical Approach to the Old Testament	83
A.	Literary Criticism in the Early Synagogue and Church	86
B.	Early Jewish and Christian Interpretation of the Old Testament	91
C.	Biblical Study from the Middle Ages to the Reformation	95
D.	The Origins of the Historical-Critical Approach	106
E.	Pentateuchal Criticism	115
4.	Old Testament Form Criticism	121
A.	Hermann Gunkel and the Rise of Form Criticism	123
B.	Form Criticism and the Narratives in Genesis	130
C.	Form-Critical Study of the Psalms	139
D.	Form-Critical Study of the Prophets	143
E.	Form Criticism and Old Testament Laws	149
F.	Form-Critical Study of Wisdom Literature	151
G.	Issues in Contemporary Form-Critical Study	152
5.	The Pentateuch	155
A.	Wellhausen and Classical Source Criticism	159
B.	Reactions to Documentary Analysis	167
C.	The Contributions of the History of Tradition Approach	180
D.	The Theology of Pentateuchal Traditions and Sources	190
E.	Contemporary Issues in Pentateuchal Studies	194
6.	The Historical Books	199
A.	Pentateuchal Sources in the Former Prophets?	202
B.	The Deuteronomistic History	206
C.	Pre-Deuteronomistic Materials in the Former Prophets	218
D.	I and II Chronicles	237
E.	Ezra-Nehemiah	243
7.	Israelite Prophecy	249
A.	The Prophets and Ecstatic Experience	254
B.	The Diversity of Prophets in Ancient Israel	260
C.	The Forms of Prophetic Speech	273
D.	The Origin of Prophetical Books	277
E.	Summary Remarks on Prophecy	282
8.	The Psalms	285
A.	Approaches to Psalms Study	287
B.	Issues in the Form-Critical Study of the Psalms	291
C.	The Psalms and the Cult	304
D.	Psalms Types and Cultic Ritual	307
9.	Israelite Wisdom Literature	319
A.	Wisdom in Israel	324
B.	The Character of Israelite Wisdom	337
C.	Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes	351
D.	Other Wisdom Literature?	357
10.	Daniel and Jewish Apocalyptic	363
A.	The Nature of the Book of Daniel	366
B.	The Nature of Apocalyptic Writings	374
C.	The Apocalyptic Vision of Daniel	379
D.	The General Background of Jewish Apocalyptic	383
	Index of Modern Authors	390
	Index of Subjects	391
	Index of Biblical Passages	392