History of Biblical Interpretation: A Reader [Hardcover]

William Yarchin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2004

What questions do interpreters ask of Scripture and how have those questions changed over time? History of Biblical Interpretation starts at 150 BCE and moves to the present in exploring the major developments and principal approaches to interpreting the Bible. Thirty-four chapters survey the most significant methods and provide introductions to the prominent people who exemplify them. Each chapter also presents an original document that demonstrates this person’s interpretational approach and includes a reference bibliography for further reading. Whether used as a textbook or in individual study, this excellent introduction to the history of biblical interpretation will open new doors for students of the Bible, theology, and church history.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Highly recommended for larger collections and essential for seminary and theological collections. -- Library Journal

From the Inside Flap

"Yarchin’s History of Biblical Interpretation provides students, scholars, and interested lay readers with a sorely needed collection of writings devoted to the interpretation of biblical literature from Greco-Roman times through the present. Unlike other works, this volume does not simply discuss the history of biblical interpretation. Instead, Yarchin presents the reader with a virtual cornucopia of examples from the extraordinarily rich history of biblical interpretation in both the Jewish and Christian traditions. The volume includes examples from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Philo, Justin Martyr, Augustine, the early Syrian Church, the Jerusalem Talmud, Saadiah Gaon, John Calvin, Moses Mendelssohn, Hermann Gunkel, Brevard Childs, Jon Levenson, Phyllis Trible, and many more. Yarchin’s volume will become an indispensable textbook and resource for all concerned with the interpretation of the Bible."
—Marvin A. Sweeney, Professor of Hebrew Bible, Claremont School of Theology

"The essays Yarchin has selected for the book are well chosen to represent the numerous diverse strategies for reading the Bible beginning with the second century BCE through the present day. His introduction to the book, a history of Biblical interpretation in Jewish and Christian contexts, and his helpful introductions to each essay in the volume are written in clear and concise prose at a level for the general reader. Where the language of a given essay may be technical or otherwise unclear, Yarchin clarifies with notes and parenthetical explanations. He neither advocates one method over another nor critiques methods as to strengths and weaknesses. His introductions to the essays are geared to facilitate a reader’s understanding of the strategy in its historical context, and his bibliography with each essay guides the reader to additional information on the method. The book is a wonderful resource for the classroom and provides a literary laboratory for student discussion of method and strategy in reading the Bible. Having representative essays of the major turning points in the history of biblical interpretation assembled in a one-volume reader should also facilitate the discussion of methods in the guild by making materials, particularly the older essays, easily accessible. Some of the essays are here translated into English for the first time. Yarchin is a reliable and unbiased guide through the rather complex and argumentative history of biblical interpretation. An exceptional book! It will remain a valuable resource for years to come."
—Charles W. Hedrick, Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies, Southwest Missouri State University

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 412 pages
• Publisher: Hendrickson Pub (April 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1565637208
• ISBN-13: 978-1565637207
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,009,765 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for study of historical biblical exegesis, September 6, 2004

By 

Paul C. Boles - See all my reviews
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This review is from: History of Biblical Interpretation: A Reader (Hardcover)

William Yarchin's History of Biblical Interpretation is a much-needed addition to the study of historical biblical exegesis. It is the only volume dedicated to historical exegesis of which I am aware whose prime concern is allowing the reader to experience the primary sources rather than informing the reader concerning the author's understanding of the primary sources. This does not mean that the reader is left to his or herself without any guidance concerning the primary sources, however. Yarchin gives brief yet complete introductions to each source, setting them in context and guiding the reader concerning themes and perspectives to look for while reading the source.

A primary strength of the book is its range. It is relatively short (429 pages of text plus introduction) while covering a span of twenty-two centuries. It is not the case, however, that the compendious nature of the book keeps it from being thorough. While I was unfamiliar with a good portion of the sources (many of which I had never heard of before), I am very familiar with works such as Origen's De Principiis, book IV and Augustine's De Doctrina. Yarchin has identified the heart of these works as I remember them and printed them for the reader. Because of this I feel confident in the assumption that he has done the same with the other works in his book.

Another strength of History of Biblical Interpretation is that it is not only dedicated to historical biblical exegesis in the Christian tradition, but pays ample attention to the Jewish tradition of biblical exegesis as well. Since these two traditions share so many of the same texts, a history of biblical interpretation is incomplete without attention to both. Yarchin's commitment to giving attention to both of these traditions not only gives his reader a more well-rounded history of biblical exegesis, but also can contribute to the discovering of ways in which the exegetical traditions of these two religions can inform one another in the future.

I was initially disappointed that there was not provided a summary essay at the end of the book. But what I would expect in such an essay is really presented in the introduction. I would strongly suggest anyone who has any interest in the history of biblical interpretation to read Yarchin's History of Biblical Interpretation. It not only provides much of the information one will find in some of the standard introductory texts concerning historical exegesis (although in a different format), but is also the best springboard to delving into more obscure, yet important, texts (which are ignored by most introductions) that I have come into contact with as of yet.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book, April 15, 2006

By 

C. B. Kvidahl "ο λογο... (Glendora, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: History of Biblical Interpretation: A Reader (Hardcover)

For my advanced hermeneutics class, we read through Yarchin's book. It was a clear and helpful guide through the maze of Biblical Interpretation. I recomend it to anyone who wants an understanding of various Biblical interpreters in one volume.