Omri, 27
P
P, 16, 44
parallelism, 100–102
Passover, 46, 51, 66–67, 69–72
Pentateuch, 15–6, 19–20. See also Torah
Pentecost, 67
Persians, 25
Pesah. See Passover
Pharaoh, daughter of, 114
Philistines, 117
Pithom, 48
plagues, in Egypt, 18, 47, 48, 49
poetry, biblical, 100–103
priests, 64, 65–66, 67, 72
Promised Land, 2, 5, 22, 25, 31, 39, 40, 51, 56, 111, 113, 114
prophecy, prophets, 74–90, 91, 97–99, 114, 115
message of, 58, 104
Prophets (Neviim), 4, 5–6, 10
proverbs, 102–4
Proverbs, book of, 5, 10, 53, 78, 100–101, 103–4
Psalms, book of, 5, 35, 37, 50–51, 65, 73, 86, 101, 102, 117
Puah, 46
Purim, 69
purity, ritual, 65, 71, 72
Q
Qur’an. 4, 113
R
Rachel, 5
Rahab
prostitute, 115
sea deity, 35, 37, 51
Rameses, city of, 48
Rameses II, 48
Rebekah, 5, 114
Red Sea, 49. See also Sea of Reeds
Retabah, Tell er-, 48, 49
Revelation, book of, 90
ritual, rituals, 63, 64–72
Ritual Decalogue, 61, 71
Romans, 25
Rosh Hashanah, 69
Ruth, book of, 6, 8
S
Sabbath, 62, 69
sacrifice, 63, 65–67
Samaria, 84, 85
Samuel, 105, 111
books of, 3, 5, 22, 38, 78, 79, 80, 83, 114, 116–19
Sarah, 5, 111, 113–14
satan, 106–7
Saul, 22, 24, 80, 105, 114, 117
Sea of Reeds, 48, 50, 51
Seder, 71, 118. See also Passover
Sennacherib, 91–99
seraphs, 41, 82
Shavuot, 67, 69, 71
Sheol, 105
Shiphrah, 46
Shishak (Seshonq), 24
Siloam Tunnel, 94–96
Simon, Richard, 13
Sinai, Mount, 14, 44, 48, 49, 53, 59, 71, 86, 109
Sirach. See Ben Sira
Sisera, 115, 116
slavery, 57
Socrates, 20
Sodom, 112, 114
Solomon, 7, 20, 22, 24, 30, 31, 88, 103, 111, 117, 118
Song of Solomon, book of, 5, 102
sons of God, 41
source criticism, 15–16, 18, 19, 20, 44, 45, 61–62
Southern Kingdom. See Judah, Southern Kingdom of
Spinoza, Baruch (Benedict), 13, 21
storm god, 34–37, 40, 50, 53, 101
Sukkot, 67, 69, 71
Sumerians, 21
T
tabernacles, festival of, 67
Tammuz, 40
Tanak(h), 4
tell, 30, 43
Tell. See latter part of name for specific sites
Temple, Jerusalem, 69, 88, 98, 118
Ten Commandments, 14, 52, 59–63, 86, 87
theodicy, 104–6, 110
Tiamat, 34–35
Timothy, letter to, 4
Tobit, book of, 8
Torah, 4–6, 8, 19–20, 53, 64, 102
tribes of Israel, 22
U
unclean. See purity, ritual United Monarchy, 24, 31
unleavened bread, 70
festival of. See Passover
Uriah, 119
Ussher, James, 23
Utnapishtim, 37
W
weeks, festival of, 67, 69, 71
wisdom literature, 102–4
Wisdom of Solomon, book of, 8, 10
women, status of, 57–58, 62, 116
Writings, 4, 5–6, 10, 102
Y
Yahweh, 13–14, 44
as storm god, 37
yhwh. See Yahweh
Yom Kippur, 67
Z
Zebulun, tribe of, 115
Zechariah, book of, 80, 90, 113
Zilpah, 5, 114
Zipporah, 45, 46
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VERY SHORT INTRODUCTIONS
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175. Documentary Film
176. Modern China
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178. German Literature
179. Nuclear Weapons
180. Law
181. The Old Testament
THE BIBLE
A Very Short Introduction
John Riches
It is sometimes said that the Bible is one of the most unread books in the world, yet it has been a major force in the development of Western culture and continues to exert an enormous influence over many people’s lives. This Very Short Introduction looks at the importance accorded to the Bible by different communities and cultures and attempts to explain why it has generated such a rich variety of uses and interpretations. It explores how the Bible was written, the development of the canon, the role of Biblical criticism, the appropriation of the Bible in high and popular culture, and its use for political ends.
“Short in length, but not in substance, nor in interest. A fascinating introduction both to the way in which the Bible came to be what it is, and to what it means and has meant for believers. The examples are well-chosen and involving, and the discussion is erudite and original.”
Joel Marcus, Boston University
THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS
A Very Short Introduction
Timothy Lim
Since their accidental discovery in 1947, the Dead Sea Scrolls have been hailed as the greatest manuscript discovery ever. Amidst conspiracies, politics, and sensational claims, however, it can be difficult to separate myth from reality.
In this Very Short Introduction, Timothy Lim explores the cultural and historical background of the scrolls and examines their significance for our understanding of the Old Testament and the origins of Christianity and Judaism. He also tells the fascinating story of the discovery, explains the science of the deciphering and dating, and does not omit the characters, scandals and controversies that have elevated the scrolls to the status of cultural icon.
“An excellent addition to the series.”
Evangelical Quarterly
JUDAISM
A Very Short Introduction
Norman Solomon
This Very Short Introduction discusses Judaism as a living religion, in all its contemporary richness and variety. How has it changed since the days of the Bible, or even since the time of Jesus? What sects and divisions does it have, and how does it respond to the challenges of modernity? How does the secular state of Israel resolve the conflicts of “Church” and state?
Norman Solomon provides an accessible and perceptive introduction to the central features and characters of Judaism, from its spiritual leaders, poets, and philosophers, to its eccentrics, including the mystic who tried to convert the pope, and the Berber princess who held up the Arab invasion of Spain.
“Norman Solomon has achieved the near impossible with his enlightened Very Short Introduction to Judaism…. He manages to keep the reader engaged, never patronizes, assumes little knowledge but a keen mind, and takes us through Jewish life and history with such gusto that one feels enlivened, rather than exhausted, at the end.”
Rabbi Julia Neuberger
CHRISTIANITY
A Very Short Introduction
Linda Woodhead
This Very Short Introduction offers a candid and wide-ranging overview of the world’s largest religion. Linda Woodhead distinguishes three main types of Christianity—Church, Biblical, and Mystical—and examines their struggles with one another and with wider society.
Steering away from an idealistic approach, this introduction considers Christianity’s relations with worldly power and its attempts to achieve social, political, economic and cultural dominance. It sheds light on Christianity’s changing fortunes, and helps explain why a religion that is currently growing in much of the southern hemisphere is struggling to survive in parts of the West.
“Faced with an almost impossible task of making a coherent and truthful selection of the emphases and themes, I don’t think it could have been done better. Though very broad in its range, this is highly informed, observant and wise.”
Iain Torrence, President, Princeton Theological Seminary
The Old Testament_A Very Short Introduction Page 14
