Tradition Kept: The Literature of the Samaritans
Overview
In this volume, Samaritan experts Anderson and Giles have created an accessible introduction to the Samaritans’ sacred literature. The book features fresh translations of the most important and least available portions of this literature. It includes major historical works, liturgies, theological compositions, and even samplings of Samaritan astronomical and amulet texts. Students and scholars will particularly benefit from a bibliography that provides direction for further research into the corpus of Samaritan sacred texts.
With the Logos Bible Software edition, you have unprecedented access to the most important scholarly material on Semitic and Pentateuchal studies. Your digital library’s powerful search tools help you locate the specific material relevant to your study. All references to the Old Testament link directly to the Hebrew texts in your library, along with your preferred English translations. These advanced tools make the Logos edition of these important works an important addition to your library, whether you’re a scholar, a pastor, or a student.
Key Features
- Describes and illustrates a variety of Samaritan literature
- Presents the narrative works that tell the Samaritan story
- Deals with religious writings that concern Samaritan ritual and theology
Contents
- Part One: The Samaritan Story
- Samaritan Pentateuch
- Samaritan Joshua
- Kitah al-Tarikh (The Annals of Abu’l Fath)
- Additional Samaritan Chronicles: The New Chronicle
- Part Two: Samaritan Theology and Worship
- Tibat Marqe (Memar Marqe)
- The Samaritan Liturgy
- Miscellaneous Texts
Praise for the Print Edition
Anderson and Giles attempt to fill a longstanding hole by treating the Samaritan writings as a subject for student inquiry. The chapter on the Samaritan Pentateuch is especially welcome in beginning to cure a much neglected part of studies of Second Temple Judaic tradition. The value of the chapter on the Samaritan Pentateuch . . . accents the need for student-oriented writings on the Pentateuchal witnesses at the turn of the era.
—Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
In constructing an introduction to Samaritan literature, Anderson and Giles are successful in their stated goals. Tradition Kept is an attractive and accessible collection of often hard to find Samaritan literature that will likely become a standard tool for undergraduate students and educated individuals wishing to consult a wide range of Samaritan literature in translation. The various texts that Anderson and Giles include present the Samaritan community’s view of its own history and greatly illuminate the theological and liturgical framework of Samaritan religion and culture.
—Journal of Hebrew Scriptures
Various aspects of Samaritan literature are explored, including the relation of many of its features to Jewish, early Christian, and Muslim traditions. Although the material is treated in depth, the authors succeed in making the book accessible not only to an academic audience, but to a larger public interested in the humanities. The book is recommended for academic institutions of higher learning that have departments of Bible, religion, or Semitic studies, and for public libraries.
—Association of Jewish Libraries
A very useful book. It makes accessible in full or in lengthy excerpts most of the core texts of Samaritan history, theology, and liturgy. . . . Tradition Kept enables the biblical scholar to include Samaritan tradition and history in research. It gives voice to the role of the Samaritan Israelites in the formation of biblical traditions as well as religio-political relationships between Samaritans and Jews since the early postexilic period.
—Catholic Biblical Quarterly
Tradition Kept deserves an appreciative readership. Anderson and Giles have done a noble deed in helping us understand and value the contributions of a small, too neglected community.
—Restoration Quarterly
Tradition Kept covers the literature of the Samaritans and is comprehensive but not exhaustive, since major works are merely sampled. . . . The authors state that their goal is to provide ‘a window into the Samaritan self understanding,’ and they seem to do a good job of that. The translations are very readable. Their observations are generally pertinent and helpful, providing valuable insight into a sect and ethnic group mentioned in both Testaments. . . . The book provides a good overview of the Samaritan corpus of literature. As such, Tradition Kept is an important reference work, especially for intertestamental and New Testament studies.
—Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Product Details
- Title: Tradition Kept: The Literature of the Samaritans
- Authors: Robert T. Anderson and Terry Giles
- Publisher: Hendrickson
- Publication Date: 2001
- Pages: 192
About the Authors
Robert T. Anderson, author of Samaritan Manuscripts and Artifacts, is an emeritus professor of religious studies at Michigan State University.
Terry Giles teaches biblical studies as a professor of theology at Gannon University. He has also been active in higher education administration and served as a guest teaching faculty in Europe, Asia, and Africa.