An Introduction to Early Judaism [Paperback]

James C. Vanderkam (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 14, 2000

One of today's most respected scholars of biblical history and the Dead Sea Scrolls, James C. VanderKam here offers a superb new introduction to early Judaism.

Based on the best, most recent archaeological research, this illustrated volume explores the history of Judaism during the Second Temple period (516 B.C.E. - 70 C.E.), describing the body of Jewish literature written during these centuries and the most important groups, institutions, and practices of the time. Particularly interesting are VanderKam's depiction of events associated with Masada and the Kokhba revolt, and his commentary on texts unearthed in places like Elephantine, Egypt, and Qumran.

Written in the same accessible style as VanderKam's widely praised Dead Sea Scrolls Today, this volume provides the finest classroom introduction to early Judaism available.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (November 14, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802846416
• ISBN-13: 978-0802846419
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #373,754 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Based on new information from scrolls, but not on aggadic sources, November 9, 2006

By 

Arthur Cohn "Flying Boat Fan" (Portola Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to Early Judaism (Paperback)

This book is very useful as a history of Judaism as it markedly evolved from the Biblical to the Talmudic era. VanderKam is highly conversant with the Dead Sea Scrolls and other recently un-earthed archeological material and integrates their evidence into his historical narrative. Conversly, he gives little indication of being aware of Talmudic aggadot that pertain to this historical era of Judaism's transition . For example there is not even a reference to the Mishna Avot, which is concerned with the rabbinical sages during this period of the development of Judaism.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Introduction To Second Temple Judaism, December 8, 2008

By 

Steve Jackson "stevejackson100atyahoocom" (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: An Introduction to Early Judaism (Paperback)

James Vanderkam's AN INTRODUCTION TO EARLY JUDAISM is a good overview of certain aspects of Second Temple Judaism. By far the largest portion of the book is an introduction to the literature of the period (Qumran, the apocrypha, pseudepigrapha, etc.). There is also a fairly long section on history from Persia to Bar Kokhba. Unfortunately the practices, theology and social structures of Judaism are largely ignored.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars stilling the sea surrounding the second temple, March 18, 2009

By 

Michael Thompson (Elkhart, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: An Introduction to Early Judaism (Paperback)

James VanderKam has proven himself one of the foremost authorities on the Dead Sea Scrolls and the vast literature of Second Temple Judaism - two areas which typically overwhelm the average research student and biblical scholar.

Here in this accessible volume (easy to follow, 234 pages), VanderKam provides a succinct overview of the sea of literature and lays the foundation to eliminate the enormous task of getting a hold of the literature from the Second Temple period. It is helpful (especially trying to cut through for the specific task of research) to have a resource which provides a simple and straightforward explanation of the whos, whats and wheres of documents which are filled with people, places and symbols quite foreign to most everything else you learn in church and typical coursework for New Testament studies.

But it remains difficult to overestimate the importance of this literature, as it provides the closest and clearest information of how Judaism interpreted their own Scriptures at the time when the Christian movement emerged. This book is a wonderful introduction and would be a great addition to an introduction or survey course.