×


 x 

Shopping cart
9%OFFAvigdor Shinan - From Gods to God: How the Bible Debunked, Suppressed, or Changed Ancient Myths and Legends - 9780827609082 - V9780827609082
Stock image for illustration purposes only - book cover, edition or condition may vary.

From Gods to God: How the Bible Debunked, Suppressed, or Changed Ancient Myths and Legends

€ 29.99
€ 27.37
You save € 2.62!
FREE Delivery in Ireland
Description for From Gods to God: How the Bible Debunked, Suppressed, or Changed Ancient Myths and Legends Paperback. The ancient Israelites believed things that the writers of the Bible wanted them to forget: myths and legends from a pre-biblical world that the new monotheist order needed to bury, hide, or reinterpret. Ancient Israel was rich in such literary traditions. Written in clear and accessible language, this volume presents thirty such traditions. Translator(s): Zakovitch, Valerie. Num Pages: 320 pages, 6 tables, 1 glossary. BIC Classification: HRCG. Category: (P) Professional & Vocational. Dimension: 227 x 154 x 19. Weight in Grams: 438.
The ancient Israelites believed things that the writers of the Bible wanted them to forget: myths and legends from a pre-biblical world that the new monotheist order needed to bury, hide, or reinterpret. Ancient Israel was rich in such literary traditions before the Bible reached the final form that we have today. These traditions were not lost but continued, passed down through the ages. Many managed to reach us in post-biblical sources: rabbinic literature, Jewish Hellenistic writings, the writings of the Dead Sea sect, the Aramaic, Greek, Latin, and other ancient translations of the Bible, and even outside the ancient Jewish world in Christian and Islamic texts. The Bible itself sometimes alludes to these traditions, often in surprising contexts. Written in clear and accessible language, this volume presents thirty such traditions. It voyages behind the veil of the written Bible to reconstruct what was told and retold among the ancient Israelites, even if it is “not what the Bible tells us.”
 

Product Details

Publisher
The Jewish Publication Society
Number of pages
320
Format
Paperback
Publication date
2012
Condition
New
Weight
438g
Number of Pages
320
Place of Publication
Philadelphia, United States
ISBN
9780827609082
SKU
V9780827609082
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 7 to 11 working days
Ref
99-1

About Avigdor Shinan
Avigdor Shinan is the Yitzhak Becker Professor of Jewish Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is the author of numerous books in Hebrew on rabbinic literature, Jewish liturgy, and the Aramaic translations of the Bible.  Yair Zakovitch is the Emeritus Father Takeji Otsuki Professor of Bible Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a professor of Jewish Peoplehood at the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya. He is the author of numerous books in Hebrew on biblical literature and ancient interpretation of the Bible.  Valerie Zakovitch is a translator and editor of works in Jewish studies and the humanities.  

Reviews for From Gods to God: How the Bible Debunked, Suppressed, or Changed Ancient Myths and Legends
http://nebraskapress.typepad.com/university_of_nebraska_pr/2012/10/jps-spotlight.html “Shinan and Zakovitch approach 30 specific Bible stories (e.g., Was Goliath really slain by a young boy named David?) as literary archaeologists. . . . Their thoughtful and sympathetic exegesis uncovers possible explanations why the biblical authors saw their interpretations of these stories as best suited to instruct a nation. Most important, they introduce the oral and literary traditions of ancient Israel with breathtaking clarity and ease.”—Christopher McConnell, Booklist “A meticulously researched primer on the Hebrew Bible’s role as part of an evolving theological and political discourse. . . . Shinan and Zakovitch paint a richly nuanced portrait of the biblical literature as an interlocutor in the debates of its day. . . . An illuminating, challenging look at the original significance of many of the Bible’s stories.”—Kirkus "This book is wonderful, not just for its scholarship or for its many fascinating themes, but also because it is, simply, a joy to read."—Bob Rickard, Fortean Times "Readers interested in the legends of ancient Israelites or examining the possibilities of the biblical text from a different viewpoint will enjoy exploring the lessons of From Gods to God."—Rabbi Rachel Esserman, Reporter "This was a well researched book and shares some strong arguments on how we have come to be where we are today."—Christopher Lewis, Dad of Divas’ Reviews "This book will open readers' eyes to a whole new way of reading our sacred texts. It could forever change the way its readers will approach the subject. The term "must read" may be overused, but I believe it is appropriate in describing this book."—Stuart Lewis, Jewish Chronicle "Approachable and illuminating, the book enriches our understanding of both the biblical text and the environment in which it emerged."—Howard Freeman, JWeekly.com "[From Gods to God] can serve as both primer for the beginners as well as wide collection of case-studies and source-references for more experienced students and scholars.  . . . The authors themselves draw from the centuries-old traditions of biblical interpretation and prove that what should count in academic entourage is diversity and creativity—one cannot and should not be satisfied with a single or most popular interpretation."—Wojciech Kosior, Polish Journal of Biblical Research “In this remarkable volume, Avigdor Shinan and Yair Zakovitch have channeled their prodigious learning into a narrative about the legacy of the Bible that is not only readable but compelling. Anyone who loves the Bible and the interpretive challenges it has bequeathed generations of readers will enjoy the encounter with these two illustrious commentators.”—Gary A. Anderson, Hesburgh Professor of Catholic Theology, University of Notre Dame http://www.thetower.org/article/where-denominations-lose-their-meaning/

Goodreads reviews for From Gods to God: How the Bible Debunked, Suppressed, or Changed Ancient Myths and Legends


Subscribe to our newsletter

News on special offers, signed editions & more!