Books in the Bible in History / La Bible Dans L'Histoire series

Deals with the commentary of Yefet ben Eli the Karaite (second half of the tenth century) on "The Song of Songs" that is an example of an exegetical work obeying two imperatives: The explanation of the divine message of Salvation mixed with the assiduous Karaite effort to prove wrong their adversaries, the Rabbanites, with the help of the Bible.

The interpretation of Exodus 4:24-26 is very controversial. Scholars have treated this text from various viewpoints on the basis of divergent methods or approaches. Two fundamental problems cause uncertainty about the origin and meaning of this text. One problem has to do with the nature of Exod 4:24-26. Another problem is the identity of the persons mentioned in Exod 4:24-26. This book arranges forty-two documented interpretations under each approach or approaches, presenting the view of each scholar proposing his/her interpretation of Exodus 4:24-26 in chronological order. The author presents his own view in the concluding chapter, essentially adopting a redactional, canonical, narrative, rhetorical methodology.

Tanchum Yerushalmi, born c.1220 probably in Jerusalem, but spent most of his life in Egypt where he died in 1291, mastered Hebrew and other Middle Easter languages as well as Greek philosophy, which makes of his commentary - edited in the present book - a welcoming contribution to the understanding of the highly symbolic book of The Song of Songs.

What can one say about eschatology in the Old Testament? For a number of scholars there is no eschatology in the Old Testament and for many others eschatology only occurs at the fringes of that section of the Bible. Biblical Studies have tried to clarify the issues around eschatology, but different views remain. It is from this general background that this book examines the eschatology of the unit of Isa 65 and 66. The author throws new light on what Old Testament eschatology really is and offers a practical view of the unit of Isa 65 and 66, situating it within the larger Isaian tradition.