Old Testament

Understanding the Old Testament Abridged 4th Edition

5 stars (Fleshes out the Bible) - No question the Old Testament is a great read, but face it, the original audience for this work is long dead and buried. Anderson's standard text on the world of the Old Testament is excellent in bringing the ancient world and the context for the collection that is the Old Testament to light. Reading the Bible without Anderson you get a story about some guy named Abram who took a walk one day and had some trouble with his new neighors. Reading it with Anderson, you get a deeper understanding of where Abraham came from, where he was headed, and how the belief of early Judahism developed through and in conflict with those of the neighboring Canaanites. The agrarian focused religion of the Canaanites get's it's own hearing as a people's attempt to make sense of the life around them. "Understanding the Old Testament" then provides this level of insight and background for all the other books of the Old Testament. How and why we now have the expression of the Jewish people's understanding of God gains more texuture and depth. 4 stars (Fascinating insights on ancient biblical events!) - An amazing, descriptive, objective, factual read about the beliefs, people and events that went on in ancient biblical times. Some great pictures too! I was captivated and fascinated! 3 stars (In depth survey following historico-critical methods) - Anderson uses easy to read sentences and aims his OT introduction at the lay person, but will be useful more to students and pastors because of the content. I was somewhat disappointed that he has nothing on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). R.K. Harrison's Intro to the OT is much more comprehensive, including discussion using both historico-critical methodology and conservative approaches, whereas Anderson assumes that the historico-critical method is the only way to go. Nevertheless, the information is readily accessible and easy to read, and illustrated well. ...
Prentice Hall :: Religion & General :: To 70 A D :: Religion - Biblical Studies :: Religion :: Old Testament Commentary :: O T :: O T :: Jews :: History of Biblical events :: History O :: Understanding the Old Testament (Abridged 4th Edition)

New International Commentary on the Old Testament

New International Commentary on the Old Testament ...
Wm B Eerdmans Publishing Company :: Religion - Commentaries & Reference :: Religion :: Bible - Commentaries - Old Testament :: Robert L :: Jr Hubbard :: :: New International Commentary on the Old Testament

Where God Was Born - A Journey by Land to the Roots of Religion

5 stars (Superb tour guide with sermons of biblical locations) - As he did with the prequel WALKING THE BIBLE: A JOURNEY BY LAND THROUGH THE FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES, Bruce Feiler combines a tour guide of biblical locations with intriguing annotations and "sermons" lifted from ancient times but also includes modern events. WHERE GOD WAS BORN: A JOURNEY BY LAND TO THE ROOTS OF RELIGION starts with Joshua and continues on through to the Babylonian captivity and the Diaspora written by a fine author who describes what he observes first hand. Well written with incredible insight somewhat thanks to archeological companion Avner Goren, readers will appreciate this fabulous journey that goes way beyond just Israel's' borders as the author finds greatness in the non-Jewish Semite cultures of the region as much as he embraces being a Jew. Because he and Mr. Goren are not armchair travelers, but instead visit the locales described, this superb reference work and his previous excellent nonfictions are inspirational for us religious moderates who believe in tolerance for all; suicidal extremists or intelligent designers who share in common their faith is the divine one need to pass as these groups will reinterpret the simple underlying moral message of Mr. Feiler's strong belief in the words of the bible. Harriet Klausner 5 stars (Praise this welcome perspective on religion) - Feiler is passionate about his own beliefs in his own religion, but never used that as an excuse to beat other readers into following his perspective in this latest work. I admire his articulate and sophisticated critique of religion and the state. Because it is so easy for anybody to become wrapped up in religious extremism while practicing their own perspective, Feiler's work needs to be studied by people of all perspectives seeking a balanced--and thus peaceful alternative to both history and current events. 5 stars (Should be required reading for people of all faiths) - Feiler's newest book offe...
William Morrow :: Religion & Bible & General :: Religion - Commentaries & Reference :: Religion :: Palestine :: Old Testament :: Iraq :: Iran :: History :: General :: Description And Tra :: Where God Was Born - A Journey by Land to the Roots of Religion

Hebrew-English Tanakh

4 stars (attention tightwads, there is cheaper) - no need to resort to ramen noodles and have msg kill your brain; get the ISBN 0827607660 hebrew-english bilingual POCKET edition. 20 list 14 postpaid, assuming you shell out 25 minimum per order additional benefit of the POCKET-sized cheap edition is that you can take it on a backpacking trip, and 'smuggle' it into nations that frown on their citizens/subjects having a copy of Scripture you could order two: one for the top of the fridge, and one that rides inside your daypack or carry-on luggage. that'll make US25 1 stars (Nicely printed Hebrew text in a rotten binding.) - Since others have described the contents of the JPS Hebrew-English Tanakh (ISBN: 0827606974) I will just say a few words about the incredibly poor binding of this book. Although the book is well-printed on excellent paper, it is being misleadingly touted as "leather bound." In fact, it is cased in PAPER-covered boards, comes with a cheap and nasty glued spine, and seems to have been designed to self-destruct after minimal use. For a more durable bilingual Tanakh, and one with a much more interesting English translation, readers might take a look at the Artscroll Stone Edition Tanach (ISBN: 0899062695) which is also available at Amazon and is the edition I now wish that I had bought. Too many publishers today are putting cheap glued paperbacks between cardboard covers, pretending that they are real books, and selling them at inflated prices. Hence the single star. 5 stars (Very readible translation, Hebrew and trop) - The JPS edition of the Tanakh has been in print since 1985 at which time this modern English translation replaced JPS's "Shakespearean" style translation. This translation has been well respected and stand's with the translation by Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan of blessed memory, and the Artscroll translation known as the "Stone Edition." Originally, the JPS edition was published only in English but, they later added editions in Hebre...
Jewish Publication Society of America :: Religion :: Judaism - Sacred Writings :: Judaism - General :: Bibles - Hebrew :: Bibles :: Bible - Study - Old Testament :: :: Hebrew-English Tanakh

JPS Torah Commentary Set

4 stars (Be Advised, Speciality is Key) - Because of the degree of specialty of each of the writers (each are specialists on the Law), a decent (at least some) amount of Hebrew knowledge is key, to allow the reader to evaluate decisions made by the authors. It is also key to remember that these commentaries (following after the aims of JPS) are thoroughly Jewish and track the development of understanding for the passages discussed, though not necessarily to the detriment of the series. A great work, worth the shelf space of any Rabbi, Preacher, or Scholar. rq ladonai kvd 5 stars (Thorough and thought provoking) - Of the five commentaries in the JPS series on the first five books of the Bible, Milgrom's is the best. Milgrom's commentary reveals a healthy respect for classical Jewish commentators but doesn't hesitate to address and add modern Biblical research. Milgrom excels when explaining the more obscure portions of Numbers, such as the rituals, calendars, and sacrifices. In addition to his verse by verse commentary, Milgrom adds lengthy excurses, exploring in more depth the issues raised in the commentary. For example, his insights into the meaning of "tzitzit" - the fringes attached to four cornered garments - are outstanding. Milgrom argues that attaching the linen tzitzit with the dyed blue thread (techelet) to one's garment as required by the text, rendered the garment "shaatnez" - a forbidden combination of wool and linen. Milgrom notes that "shaatnez" is generally forbidden to be worn, but was permitted to be used in the construction of the Tabernacle and the clothing of the priests. By allowing, indeed requiring, every Israelite to attach shaatnez tzitzit to the corners of his/her garments, the Bible was drumming into the people the mandate that they be "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." Similarly, Milgrom's treatment of the paradox of the Red Cow, whose ashes purified those rendered impure by contact with the dead but rendered impure those who...
Jewish Publication Society of America :: Religion :: Judaism - Sacred Writings :: Judaism - History :: Judaism :: Bible - Study - Old Testament :: Chaim Potok :: Nahum M Sarna :: :: JPS Torah Commentary Set

New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology - Exegesis 5 1 for Windows

New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis 5.1 for Windows...
Zondervan :: Computers & Reference :: BIBLE STUDY AND REFERENCE :: Software - Bibles & Religion :: Religion :: Reference :: Bible - Reference - General :: Bible - Reference - :: New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology - Exegesis 5 1 for Windows