Text and History: Historiography and the Study of the Biblical Text

by Jens Bruun Kofoed

Publisher:

Eisenbrauns

, 2005

Overview

During the past two or three decades, the value of the Hebrew Bible as a testimony to the history of Israel has come under siege. The date of the text has been pushed later and later, often into the Hellenistic era. In Text and History, Jens Bruun Kofoed addresses the methodological issues that lie behind the use of the biblical text as a source for historical information. He describes how to honestly use the biblical text and shows that a late date does not reduce the text’s value as a source of historical information—both by discussing presuppositions underlying various methodologies and evaluating specific test cases. Taking modern genre research and authorial intent into account opens new vistas for evaluating the reliability of ancient texts and creates a way forward from the current impasse.

Key Features

• Addresses the methodological issues that lie behind the use of the biblical text as a source for historical information
• describes how to honestly use the biblical text
• Shows that a late date for the Old Testament does not reduce the text’s value as a source of historical information

Contents

Top Highlights

“Was it at all possible for the Israelites to write sophisticated literature, such as the texts of the Hebrew Bible, in the 10th, 9th, or 8th centuries b.c.e.?” (Page 30)

“the texts of the Hebrew Bible contain reliable information for a reconstruction of the period it purports to describe,” (Page 30)

“the writers and that thus offers a valuable insight into perceptions of that reality from particular points of view.” (Page 24)

“How does religious or ideological bias affect the reliability of the historical information given in the texts?” (Page 31)

“taken to the extreme it would mean a terminal ‘concealment’ of the past, the end of historiography” (Pages 3–4)

Product Details

• Title: Text and History: Historiography and the Study of the Biblical Text
• Author: Jens Bruun Kofoed
• Publisher: Eisenbrauns
• Publication Date: 2005
• Pages: 311
• Resource Type: Topical
• Topic: Biblical Studies

Benefits of Logos Edition

p>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.

About Jens Bruun Kofoed

Jens Bruun Kofoed lectures at the Copenhagen Lutheran School of Theology.