Kirjahaku

This commentary will appeal particularly to those familiar with Professor Soggin's Introduction to the Old Testament and History of Israel who would prefer an alternative to the parallel work by J. L. Mays in the Old Testament Library. Written with the verve that the author brings to his other commentaries on Joshua and Judges, it offers a new translation of the text of Amos accompanied by two types of comment: first comes a critical philological account which justifies the rendering of the text adopted, and then, in a style familiar from the Old Testament Library, the main body of the commentary.

In this short, accessible and readable book, Professor Soggin gives an account of all the features of Israelite and Jewish religion in the biblical period. After a radical assessment of the nature of the sources and the problems of using them historically, he discusses the origin of monotheism and Israel's belief in its one God Yahweh. Then follow accounts of the three most important features in Israelite religion: the Jerusalem temple and its worship, the covenant, and sacrifices. The main festivals are discussed and there are chapters on the sabbath and the new moon, the sabbatical year and the year of jubilee, and the calendar. The book ends with an account of changes brought about after the exile and the development of Middle Judaism, and the collapse of the old Israelite system of worship after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 CE.Though firmly based on biblical and Near Eastern texts and artefacts, the book wears its learning lightly; there are no footnotes, but a bibliography of books for further reading. Its clarity and straightforward approach make it an ideal introduction to the subject for students.

This volume, a part of the Old Testament Library series, provides an introduction to the Old Testament.The Old Testament Library provides fresh and authoritative treatments of important aspects of Old Testament study through commentaries and general surveys. The contributors are scholars of international standing.

This Old Testament Library volume provides a commentary on the book of Judges.The Old Testament Library provides fresh and authoritative treatments of important aspects of Old Testament study through commentaries and general surveys. The contributors are scholars of international standing.