TANAK: A Theological and Critical Introduction to the Jewish Bible

TANAK: A Theological and Critical Introduction to the Jewish Bible

Though "biblical theology" has long been considered a strictly Christian enterprise, Marvin A. Sweeney here proposes a Jewish theology of the Hebrew Bible, based on the importance of Tanak as the foundation of Judaism and organized around the major components: Torah, Nevi'im (Prophets), and Kethuvim (Writings). Sweeney finds the structuring themes of Jewish life: the constitution of the nation Israel in relation to God; the disruption of that ideal, documented by the Prophets; and the reconstitution of the nation around the Second Temple in the Writings. Throughout he is attentive to tensions within and among the texts and the dialogical character of Israel's sacred heritage. "This exhaustive survey of the Hebrew Bible is based on the most current scholarship. Drawing on a remarkable breadth of knowledge, Sweeney describes the historical setting of the biblical books from a Jewish theological perspective." --Frederick E. Greenspahn, Gimelstob Eminent Scholar in Judaic Studies, Florida Atlantic University "In Tanak one of the most learned biblical scholars of our time offers a highly intelligent, intellectually honest, and readable introduction to the Jewish Bible. Among its many strengths is its capacity to locate that set of books within the world of its composition without losing sight of its foundational role in the Jewish tradition and the deeper theological issues at stake. I highly recommend Tanak to general readers, scholars, students, and clergy alike." --Jon D. Levenson, Albert A. List Professor of Jewish Studies, Harvard University Marvin A. Sweeney is professor of Hebrew BIble at the Claremont School of Theology. He is the author of three Fortress volumes, Tanak: A Theological and Critical Introduction to the Jewish Bible (2012); Reading the Hebrew Bible after the Shoah: Engaging Holocaust Theology (2008); and Zephaniah (Hermeneia, 2003).