This reissue of Cambridge's classic series of commentaries on the New English Bible conveys some of the best biblical scholarship of its time, with many of its contributors going on to become famous s
This reissue of Cambridge's classic series of commentaries on the New English Bible conveys some of the best biblical scholarship of its time, with many of its contributors going on to become famous scholars in their field and the church. The commentaries are designed for use in schools and colleges, as well as for the minister and general reader. Each volume comments on one book, or a few short books, of the Old Testament and in each the text is given in full. Sections of text and commentary alternate, so that the reader does not have to keep two books open, or turn from one part of the book to the other, or refer to a commentary in small type at the foot of the page. Great care has been taken to see that the commentary is suitable for the student and the general reader: there is no Greek or Hebrew and no strings of biblical reference, making them an accessible and thought provoking read. In addition to the general introductory volume, Understanding the Old Testament, there is a
The book of Job, which deals with deep-seated conflict between the integrity of God and the integrity of man and belongs to a group of writings known as wisdom literature, surpasses any of its known Babylonian or Egyptian forerunners in the beauty of its poetic discourses and in its insight - the poet struggles to probe the meaning of life, especially life where suffering and injustice prevail for no apparent reason.
The first volume of Dr Nicholson's commentary on Jeremiah, dealing with chapters 1–25, was published in 1973. In this second volume, continuing from chapter 26 onwards, Dr Nicholson again introduces the text with a survey of the historical background to the life and ministry of the prophet during the last decades of the Kingdom of Judah, and discusses the composition of the book, giving an outline of its dominant religious ideas. The main body of the volume, in the integrated style now established for this series, contains the New English Bible translation of the text, divided into brief sections, alternating with sections of commentary. The results of recent Old Testament scholarship and modern theological thought are conveyed in simple language to the student and layman.
The six Old Testament books dealt with in this volume of the Commentary are part of a larger unit originally copied on one scroll and called, for the sake of simplicity, the books of the twelve or minor prophets. The prophetic visions, liturgies and oracles contained in the twelve books were collected over a period of more than 300 years and given their final shape not earlier than the middle of the fifth century BC. In his opening chapter Dr Watts provides the historical and liturgical background to the books and discusses the nature and role of prophecy in worship. In the style established for the series, the NEB translation of the text then follows, divided into brief sections alternating with sections of commentary. The results of Old Testament scholarship and modern theological though are conveyed to the student and the layman in simple language.
The book of Leviticus originally formed part of a larger whole comprising what are now the first four or five books of the Old Testament. Its name is descriptive - 'the Levitical book' being about the personnel of the temple, all of whom were supposed to be descended from Levi. In one way the description is accurate, since the material was produced among the priesthood which had survived the fall of Judah to the Babylonians in 587 BC as a manual of instruction for its members. However, since priests in Israel gradually emerged as leaders of the nation, the book of Leviticus is also directed at the laity and, by the promulgation of laws set in a historical narrative, intended to instruct them in their religious and civil obligations.
As in the other Cambridge Bible Commentary volumes, an introduction is followed by the text of the New English Bible translation divided into sections. Each section of the text is followed by the commentary upon it. Canon Robinson shows that 2 Kings is truly a continuation of the story told in the preceding historical books. The narrative now passes to the decline of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah and their territorial absorption into the empires of Assyria and Babylon. The compilers of 2 Kings attributed this downfall to the Hebrews' disregard of the prophets and of the covenant with God.
Dr Nicholson's commentary on Jeremiah will occupy two volumes. The first deals with chapters 1-25 and also contains an introduction. This introduction surveys the historical background to the life and prophetic ministry of the prophet during the last decades of the kingdom of Judah. In a further section the composition of the book is discussed and this is followed by an outline of its dominant religious ideas. The main body of the volume, in the style now established for this series, gives the text, divided into brief sections, and alternating with sections of commentary. The results of recent Old Testament scholarship and modern theological thought are conveyed to the student and the layman in simple language. Chapters 26 onwards will be covered in a second volume.
Dr Phillips's volume, like the others in the series, contains the text in the NEB translation, with introductory material preceding it, and a commentary directly following each section of text. Dr Phillips explains the nature and function of the whole book, its place in Jewish religious history and thought, and among the Old Testament books, and its continuing relevance today.
Like the other Cambridge Bible Commentary volumes, this contains an introduction followed by the texts of the N.E.B. translation divided into sections. Each section of the text is followed by the commentary upon it. Mr Surdy discusses the the content, structure and authorship of the book, pointing to material from two distinct periods: 500–400 BC and some 500 years earlier.
In Isaiah 1–39 are included the oracles of a prophet who lived in the closing half of the eighth century B.C. His interest in contemporary politics and understanding of international affairs was the product of his faith in the Holy God, who rules in and over all history. Professor Herbert introduces the book with sections on its date, context, nature and content. The text is then given with the detailed commentary in the style now established for this series.
The Book of Judges forms part of that section of the Old Testament known as the 'Historical Books'. These books are theological interpretations of history, the word of God revealed in the events of Israel's past. The Book of Judges describes the continuing attempts of the Israelites to settle in central Palestine in the period between 1250 and 1000 BC and consists of a series of stories about individual judges who, in the earlier period of settlement, as military leaders, saved the people in attacks by hostile neighbours and in the later period of settlement became judicial figures of considerable importance. In his introductory section Dr Martin tries to discern the objective truths behind the theological interpretations of historical events; he also discusses the original form of the book, its chronology, multiple authorship, sources, and the nature and role of the judges. In the established style of the series the N.E.B. translation of the text then follows, divided into brief
The Book of Daniel was compiled in the second century B.C.; as we have it, it is written partly in Hebrew and partly in Aramaic. The first part contains stories about Daniel, a Jewish exile in the Babylonian captivity, and his companions. The later chapters consist of an account of visions granted by God to Daniel. Canon Hammer's commentary shows that the book carries a message of hope to those who live in the faith. This volume contains an introduction dealing with the background and content of the book, following the pattern set by other commentaries in the series. A section-by-section presentation of the New English Bible text with commentary follows.
The New English Bible has benefited not only from advances in the understanding of ancient language and discoveries of new manuscripts and methods, but also from the recent growth in knowledge of the social and political history of the biblical period and the development of new ways of evaluating prehistory. In Understanding the Old Testament the essentials of the background and context of the Old Testament and Apocrypha are set out as concisely as possible to enable the reader to understand the meaning and significance of much that can only be appreciated fully with the help of this background material. The geographical setting, the prehistory, the social and political history, as well as the nature of the ideas which grew in this context are all described. The literary point i=of view is on the Old Testament and Apocrypha presented in the companion volume, The Making of the Old Testament.
Chapters 1–11 of Genesis are like a poetic prologue to the early history of the Jewish people and to their religion. For Christianity also they later fulfil a similar purpose. Professor Davidson takes these chapters as a separate unity, comments on them, and explains their religious significance and their place in the Bible as a whole. Introductory sections on the sources and purpose of the book, and the meaning of myth, lead straight into the text and commentary which alternate with each other in the style of the series.
As in other volumes of the Cambridge Bible Commentary, there are introductions to the books dealt with, followed by the text of the New English Bible divided into sections. Each section of the text is followed by the commentary upon it. The preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah gave a new impetus to the life of the 'remnant' of the Jewish people returned from the Babylonian exile. Haggai stresses the importance of the relationship to God of the community as a whole, while Zechariah is seen as a prophet of hope, promising Yahweh's salvation to his people. Dr Mason considers Malachi, dating perhaps from a little later than the other two, a fitting conclusion to the group of prophetic books, in that it reminds its readers of the role of the prophets in preparing the people for God's coming, that they might enjoy salvation rather than suffer punitive judgement.
Unlike the First and Second Books of the Chronicles, the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah have received considerable attention; partly because their presentation is more attractive, but more importantly because they illuminate a period of history about which very little is known: Jerusalem in the context of the Persian domination of South-West Asia from 539 to 336 B.C. In other respects, however, there are striking similarities between these books, textually, linguistically and theologically: the opening of Ezra repeats the end of 2 Chronicles, suggesting that the works were originally continuous and possibly by the same hand or hands; and there is constantly a theological motivation in the recording of 'historical' events.
Dr Whybray's volume, like the others in the series, contains the text in the New English Bible translation, with introductory material preceding, and a commentary directly following, each section of text. Dr Whybray describes the ancient Near Eastern tradition of producing collections of 'wisdom': instructions in the form of aphorisms and proverbs, for the education of the young for a happy and successful career. He indicates the dependence of Proverbs on this tradition, but also points out how the Israelite authors modified it. The book contains three kinds of material: sections whose form and character are hardly distinguishable from the instructions of Egypt and Mesopotamia; others where, in spite of a more specifically Israelite dress, the aim remains the achievement of a successful life; and finally passages in which the main purpose has now become the pursuit of a wisdom conforming entirely with the 'fear of the Lord'.
The Making of the Old Testament is one of three books accompanying the volumes of commentary in the Old Testament and Apocrypha series of Cambridge Bible Commentaries on the New English Bible. This volume is concerned with the formation of the books of the Old Testament and Apocrypha in the context of the ancient Near Eastern World, and with the ways in which these books have come down to us through the Jewish and Christian communities. Individual chapters discuss other literary documents contemporary with events in the Old Testament; the style of and critical approaches to the Old Testament books; other Jewish writing (Apocrypha and pseudepigrapha); the development of the Old Testament canon; the development of the modern English text from the various earlier versions; and the place of the Old Testament in modern Judaism and Christianity. Each of the chapters is followed by suggestions for further reading.
The plan of this volume of commentary on the New English Bible text of three Old Testament books follows the pattern established by the New Testament series of Cambridge Bible Commentaries on the New English Bible. The main divisions of the text are those provided by the New English Bible itself. The text is further subdivided for the purposes of the commentary, which is printed in short sections following the relevant portion of text. In his introduction Dr McKeating discusses the chronology of the books in this volume, indicating briefly the historical events of the period. He examines the structure and content of these books and shows how these three men, alike in their intensity but utterly different in background and in temperament, reflect three different attitudes to a corrupt society.
