Introduction to the Scriptures of Israel

In this distinctive textbook for Hebrew Bible courses, author Tzvi Novick's approach is thematic rather than chronological. Sorting the books according to their historical context, theological claims, and literary conventions, Novick examines and elucidates the historical and intellectual development of the Hebrew Bible. With attentiveness to both historical-critical and traditional-canonical approaches, An Introduction to the Scriptures of Israel focuses on the dichotomy of the particular and the universal. It shows how this dichotomy impacts each book's style and content and how it informs the development of Jewish and Christian traditions. This nontraditional textbook is coherent, engaging, and succinct a perfect resource for any introductory Hebrew Bible course. ContentsPrefaceAbbreviations1. Three Introductions2. The Wisdom Tradition: Religion without Revelation3. Revelation and Love:The Patriarchal Narratives and the Song of Songs4. Joseph and Narrative5. The Exodus: Freedom and Sonship6. Sinai: Covenant and Code7. The Problem of Monarchy: Samuel and Kings8. Condemning Israel, Sparing the Nations:Amos and Jonah9. Eden and the Art of Reading10. Priestly Theology and Holy Space11. Exile and Return: Prophetic Visions12. The Consolidation of Judaism: Temple and Torah13. Violence and Identity: Joshua and Judges14. Jews, Gentiles, and Gender:Esther, Ruth, Ezra, and Nehemiah15. Apocalyptic: Daniel and the Dead Sea Scrolls16. The Israelite at Prayer: The Book of PsalmsSubject IndexScripture and Other Ancient Sources Index