Table of Contents
1 Cover
4 Figures
5 Maps
6 Main Discussions/Outlines of Biblical Books Where to Find Basic Information on Biblical Books
7 Preface to the First Edition PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION
10 Overview of the Historical Period
11 Timeline
12 Prologue The Bible as a Complex Product of Many Hands The Different Scriptures of Judaism and Christianity Becoming an Informed User of a Contemporary Bible Translation Conclusion on Critically Analyzing a Page of Your Own Bible CHAPTER REVIEW RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY APPENDIX 1: TRANSLATION AND PARAPHRASE COMPARISON OF ISA 52:13–15 APPENDIX 2: CHARACTERISTICS OF SELECT ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS OF THE BIBLE
13 1 Studying the Bible in its Ancient Context(s) Academic Study of the Bible The Geography and Major Characters of the Biblical Drama Major Periods in the Biblical Drama Multiple Contexts, Multiple Methods Conclusion CHAPTER ONE REVIEW RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY APPENDIX: ISRAEL’S HISTORY AND EMPIRES
14 2 The Emergence of Ancient Israel and its First Oral Traditions Imagining Early Israel Problems in Reconstructing Early Israel FOCUS TEXT: The Song of Deborah (Judges 5) as a Window to Ancient Tribal Israel Ancient Israel and Israelites The Oral Background of Genesis Exodus Conclusion: The Creation of “Israel” Through Cultural Memory of Resistance to Domination CHAPTER TWO REVIEW RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
15 3 Beginnings of the Monarchy and Royal and Zion Texts Imagining Early Monarchal Israel The Rise of the Israelite Monarchy and Resistance to It The Story of David’s Succession Influence of Ancient Empires on Early Israel’s Monarchy and Writings Echoes of Near Eastern Royal Theology in the Royal and Zion Psalms CHAPTER THREE REVIEW RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
16 4 Interlude Echoes of Texts from Earlier Empires in Writings Attributed to Solomon FOCUS TEXT: The Speech of Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8 Echoes of Texts from Earlier Empires Elsewhere in the Bible FOCUS TEXT: The Garden of Eden Story (Gen 2:4–3:24) Conclusion CHAPTER FOUR REVIEW RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY
17 5 Narrative and Prophecy Amidst the Rise and Fall of The Northern Kingdom Setting the Stage: The Rise of the Northern Kingdom of Israel and Its Texts Ancient Near Eastern Prophecy Amos, Prophet of Justice Hosea, the Northern Prophet, Calling for Israel’s Devotion to Yahweh Alone Conclusion CHAPTER FIVE REVIEW RESOURCES FOR FURTHER STUDY