Early Judaism: A Comprehensive Overview

by Daniel C. Harlow; John J. Collins

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2012

Overview

Culled from The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism, a monumental, groundbreaking reference work published in late 2010, Early Judaism: A Comprehensive Overview contains 15 first-rate essays from a diverse group of internationally renowned scholars. This volume provides the most comprehensive and authoritative overview available of Judaism in the Hellenistic and early Roman periods.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Contains first-rate essays from a diverse group of international renowned scholars
• Provides an authoritative overview of Judaism in the Hellenistic and early Roman periods

Contents

• “Early Judaism in Modern Scholarship” by John J. Collins
• “Jewish History from Alexander to Hadrian” by Chris Seeman and Adam Kolman Marshak
• “Judaism in the Land of Israel” by James C. VanderKam
• “Judaism in the Diaspora” by Erich S. Gruen
• “The Jewish Scriptures: Texts, Versions, Canons” Eugene Ulrich
• “Early Jewish Biblical Interpretation” by James L. Kugel
• “Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha” by Loren T. Stuckenbruck
• “The Dead Sea Scrolls” by Eibert Tigchelaar
• “Early Jewish Literature Written in Greek” by Katell Berthelot
• “Philo” by Gregory E. Sterling, David T. Runia, Maren R. Niehoff, and Annewies van den Hoek
• “Josephus” by Steve Mason, James S. McLaren, and John M. G. Barclay
• “Archaeology, Papyri, and Inscriptions” by Jürgen K. Zangenberg
• “Jews among Greeks and Romans” by Miriam Pucci Ben Zeev
• “Early Judaism and Early Christianity” by Daniel C. Harlow
• “Early Judaism and Rabbinic Judaism” by Lawrence H. Schiffman

Top Highlights

“In contrast to the Dead Sea Scrolls, the Diaspora literature makes minimal reference to halakic issues or purity laws. It does, however, insist on Jewish monotheism, and frequently ridicules pagan idolatry. It also insists on the superiority of Jewish sexual ethics and the fact that Jews refrain from infanticide.” (Page 23)

“Before the conquests of Alexander, all Jews (so far as we are aware) resided within the confines of the Persian Empire.” (Page 31)

“But these issues were commonly disputed among Palestinian Jews, and since no group represented the ‘official’ position on any matter—there was none—Jesus cannot be said to have opposed the Judaism of his day.” (Page 394)

“During the latter half of the nineteenth century, several more important pseudepigrapha came to light—Jubilees, 2 and 3 Baruch, 2 Enoch, the Apocalypse of Abraham, and the Testament of Abraham.” (Pages 3–4)

“Only one apocalyptic writing, the book of Daniel, was included in the Hebrew Bible, and the apocalyptic tradition was rejected by rabbinic Judaism.” (Page 12)

Praise for the Print Edition

I do not think there is now a better guide to early Judaism than The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism. . . . Opens a door into a fascinating and compelling world of ideas, texts, and practices.

—John Barton in Times Literary Supplement

It is difficult to overstate how impressive the volume is in terms of scope, quality of scholarship, and number of high-level contributors. . . . The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism is bound to be a classic reference text for the next generation. It is more than worth its weight in gold - which, given the bulky nature of the book, is quite considerable

—Trinity Journal

Product Details

• Title: Early Judaism: A Comprehensive Overview
• Authors: Daniel C. Harlow, John J. Collins
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2012
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 533
• Era: era:Contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Judaism › History--Post-exilic period, 586 B.C.-210 A.D; Jews › History--586 B.C.-210 A.D
• ISBNs: 9780802869227, 080286922X
• Resource ID: LLS:EARLYJUDAISMCOLLINS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-29T23:32:47Z

About James H. Charlesworth

John J. Collins is Holmes professor of Old Testament Criticism and Interpretation at Yale Divinity School and has served as president of both the Society of Biblical Literature and the Catholic Biblical Association. His many books include Beyond the Qumran Community, King and Messiah as Son of God, The Bible after Babel: Historical Criticism in a Postmodern Age, The Apocalyptic Imagination and coeditor of The Eerdmans Dictionary of Early Judaism

Daniel C. Harlow is professor of biblical, early Jewish, and early Christian studies at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, Michigan.