Introduction to the Hebrew Bible with Study Guide

by John J. Collins

Publisher:

Fortress Press

, 2004

Overview

John J. Collins's Introduction to the Hebrew Bible is a leading textbook in Old Testament studies. From the preface: "This book is written out of the experience of teaching introductory courses on the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible at several different institutions over thirty years."

Key Features

• Offers extensive additional materials, including discussion questions, maps, illustrations, and Web resources.
• Includes bibliographies and indexes as well as a Study Guide as a separate resource

Endorsements

John Collins's introduction is a timely and welcome contribution, one based on his own extensive research and on his many years of teaching the subject. The reader will find not only a careful presentation of the biblical material but also a judicious assessment of scholarship on it. This book will be a valuable tool for classroom use, and the bibliographies appended to each chapter will help the student who wishes to pursue a topic in greater detail.

—James C. VanderKam, John A. O'Brien Professor of Hebrew Scriptures, University of Notre Dame

Drawing on years of teaching in seminary and university, and of addressing Christian and Jewish popular audiences, Collins has produced a clear, concise, and up-to-date introduction to the Old Testament including the Deuterocanonical books. Wisely following the canonical order of books (slightly adapted), he describes each book's contents, critical issues, and religious meaning. Collins situates each biblical book squarely in its historical setting, and deals honestly with the problems as well as well as the bounty of the Bible. A special bonus is his masterful coverage of the often-slighted Second Temple literature. Its seriousness, detail, and sophistication set this textbook apart and make it an excellent resource for college and seminary courses, and for pastors and educated laity.

—Richard J. Clifford, S.J., Professor of Biblical Studies, Weston Jesuit School of Theology, Cambridge, MA

At last! This is the Introduction to the Hebrew Bible I have been looking for: a balanced and richly informative introduction that covers essential critical and comparative perspectives and sets up pertinent interpretive issues, leaving the instructor free to work with the class in any number of directions. Using Collins' textbook is like team-teaching with a master teacher. His tone is welcoming but often wry, accessible yet authoritative. This is a textbook written by someone who not only knows his students but who genuinely likes them–and likes to challenge them. Collins does not take refuge in an antiquarian approach to the Hebrew Bible but repeatedly identifies the complex ethical issues raised by the text and by the responsibilities involved in interpreting the text.

—Christianity Today

Collins' volume meets a long-standing need for an up-to-date and well-informed critical introduction to the Hebrew Bible. His lucid presentation of the socio-historical background of the world of ancient Israel and Judah and the compositional history of the biblical books provides a fitting context by which to read the Bible's perspectives on the people of Israel/Judah, their interrelationships with surrounding cultures, and their understandings of the divine. A particularly important contribution of this volume is its treatment of the deutero-canonical or apocryphal books. Collins' work stands as a most welcome and highly recommended textbook for both undergraduates and seminarians.'

—Marvin A. Sweeney, Professor of Hebrew Bible, Claremont School of Theology, Professor of Religion, Claremont Graduate University

Product Details

• Title: Introduction to the Hebrew Bible (Download)
• Author: John J. Collins
• Publisher: Fortress Press
• Print Publication Date: 2004
• Language: English
• Resources: 2
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Resource ID: {14DA5A2E-8ED9-4F21-8129-923493F0EE92}
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-28T19:29:33Z

Benefits of Logos Edition

The Logos edition of Introduction to the Hebrew Bible equips you for better study with cutting-edge functionality and features. Whether you are performing Bible word studies, preparing a sermon, or researching and writing a paper, Logos Bible Software gives you the tools you need to use your digital library effectively and efficiently by searching for verses, finding Scripture references and citations instantly. Additionally, important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, commentaries, theology texts, and other resources in your library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. With most Logos resources, you can 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.

About John J. Collins

John J. Collins is Holmes Professor of Old Testament Criticism and Interpretation at Yale Divinity School. He previously served as professor of Hebrew Bible at the University of Chicago and has published widely on the subjects of apocalypticism, wisdom, Hellenistic Judaism, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. His books include the commentary on Daniel in the Hermeneia series, The Apocalyptic Imagination, and Between Athens and Jerusalem: Jewish Identity in the Hellenistic Diaspora. He has served as editor of the Journal of Biblical Literature and as president of both the Catholic Biblical Association and the Society of Biblical Literature.