Composition of the Narrative Books of the Old Testament [Paperback]

Reinhard G. Kratz (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 16, 2010

Explaining their sources and the nature of their composition, Reinhard Kratz provides an introduction to the narrative books of the Old Testament (Genesis to Nehemiah). He seeks to do this as far as possible without presupposing any hypotheses and on the basis of a few undisputed basic assumptions: a distinction between Priestly and non-Priestly text in the Pentateuch, the special position of Deuteronomy, a Deuteronomistic revision of Joshua-2 Kings, and the literary use of the books of Samuel and Kings by Chronicles. Any further distinctions are based on observations of the text which are well established and not on literary-critical or redaction-critical distinctions. Kratz argues that what is important is how the text is read.This is the first study of its kind since Martin NothÆs classic studies of thePentateuch and Deuteronomic history. It will be an invaluable resource for allscholars and students in the field.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Without dismissing the benefits of historical criticism, Kratz espouses a kind of canonical criticism, attending to the final form of the traditions. Beginning with a literary blue-print of the Bible's narrative books, he treats the Chronicler's History, then the Law and the Historical Books, and only then the Priestly work known as the Pentateuch. Each chapter opens with a short bibliography of the major studies of the material in that section. A very detailed and critical commentary follows." -The Bible Today, May/June 2006

(Review in International Review of Biblical Studies, Vol 51: 2004/05 )

'Kratz's analysis of the way in which the narrative books of the Old Testament reach their present form constitutes a radical challenge to long-accepted views...A short review cannot do justice to either the importance or the intricacies of Kratz's thesis...This monumental work deserves the widest readership.'

~ Canon Dr Phillips, Church Times

(Canon Dr Phillips Church Times )

'With its mixture of close detail and a big argument The Composition of the Narrative Books of the Old Testament...is a bold book...the detailed argument[s] will fascinate.'

~ Graeme Auld, Expository Times, 2007

(Graeme Auld, University of Edinburgh Expository Times )

"...It is without a doubt a most important study, worthy to be set alongside Wellhausen and Martin Noth, whom Kratz describes as his 'constant companions'. The scope is nothing less than the whole narrative from Genesis to Nehemiah. The method is a detailed dissection of the text with a very sharp scalpel."

(C.S. Rodd Theology )

“Without dismissing the benefits of historical criticism, Kratz espouses a kind of canonical criticism, attending to the final form of the traditions. Beginning with a literary blue-print of the Bible’s narrative books, he treats the Chronicler’s History, then the Law and the Historical Books, and only then the Priestly work known as the Pentateuch. Each chapter opens with a short bibliography of the major studies of the material in that section. A very detailed and critical commentary follows.” -The Bible Today, May/June 2006

(, )

'Kratz's analysis of the way in which the narrative books of the Old Testament reach their present form constitutes a radical challenge to long-accepted views...A short review cannot do justice to either the importance or the intricacies of Kratz's thesis...This monumental work deserves the widest readership.'

~ Canon Dr Phillips, Church Times

(, Church Times )

'With its mixture of close detail and a big argument The Composition of the Narrative Books of the Old Testament...is a bold book...the detailed argument[s] will fascinate.'

~ Graeme Auld, Expository Times, 2007

(, Expository Times )

"...It is without a doubt a most important study, worthy to be set alongside Wellhausen and Martin Noth, whom Kratz describes as his 'constant companions'. The scope is nothing less than the whole narrative from Genesis to Nehemiah. The method is a detailed dissection of the text with a very sharp scalpel."

(, Theology )

About the Author

Reinhard G. Kratz is Professor of Old Testament, University of Göttingen.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: T&T Clark Int'l (February 16, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0567089215
• ISBN-13: 978-0567089212
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #907,540 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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