Books in the Cambridge Bible Commentaries on the Old Testament series

Dr Rogerson and Dr McKay stress the richess and variety of the material in the Psalms, and provide an analytical table of the predominant themes. They discuss the literary characteristics of Hebrew poetry with special reference to devices such as the acrostic, and examine the problems faced by the New English Bible translators.

The Chronicles, divided into two books purely for convenience, have long suffered from neglect; this is partly because much of their content can be found elsewhere in the Old Testament and partly because their presentation, emphasizing genealogies and ritual ceremonies, has lacked appeal for modern man over the last few hundred years.

Dr Phillips's volume, like the others in the series, contains the text in the NEB translation, with introductory material preceding it, and a commentary directly following each section of text. Dr Phillips explains the nature and function of the whole book, its place in Jewish religious history and thought, and among the Old Testament books, and its continuing relevance today.

As in other volumes of the Cambridge Bible Commentary, there are introductions to the books dealt with, followed by the text of the New English Bible divided into sections. Each section of the text is followed by the commentary upon it.

Canon Robinson shows that 2 Kings is truly a continuation of the story told in the preceding historical books. The narrative now passes to the decline of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah and their territorial absorption into the empires of Assyria and Babylon.

This volume contains an introduction dealing with the background and content of the Book of Daniel, following the pattern set by other commentaries in the series. A section-by-section presentation of the New English Bible text with commentary follows.

Like the other volumes of the Cambridge Bible Commentary, this contains an introduction followed by the text of the New English Bible divided into sections. Each section of the text is followed by the commentary upon it.

The Cambridge Bible Commentary gives the full text in the N.E.B. version, with a lucid untechnical commentary designed for students in schools and colleges, for ministers of religion, and laymen generally. The central theme of Joshua is the acquisition of the land of Canaan by the people of Israel under the leadership of Joshua, the successor of Moses.

The Book of Judges forms part of that section of the Old Testament known as the 'Historical Books'. These books are theological interpretations of history, the word of God revealed in the events of Israel's past. The Book of Judges describes the continuing attempts of the Israelites to settle in central Palestine in the period between 1250 and 1000 BC.

Introductory sections on the sources and purpose of the book, and the meaning of myth, lead straight into the text and commentary which alternate with each other in the style of the series.

In Isaiah 1-39 are included the oracles of a prophet who lived in the closing half of the eighth century B.C. Professor Herbert introduces the book with sections on its date, context, nature and content. The text is then given with the detailed commentary in the style now established for this series.

The New English Bible translation of the First Book of Samuel, with an introduction summarizing the book's place in the Old Testament canon, its relationship with history and its theological purpose and a commentary on each section of the text.

In this book the essentials of the background and context of the Old Testament and Apocrypha are concisely presented. The geographical settting, the prehistory, the social and political history, as well as the nature of the ideas which grew in this context, are all described.

This is the illustrations volume which accompanies the Old Testament series of the Cambridge Bible Commentary. It is arranged on the same general plan as Mr Jones's successful companion volume on the New Testament. It contains 201 photographs, maps and drawings arranged in groups with a connected commentary which describes each picture in detail.

Chapters 12-50 of the book of Genesis may be considered as enshrining the patriarchal traditions of the Jewish people. Besides the elements of poetry and legend embodied in these traditions, Professor Davidson shows that there can be a historical basis for the narratives and offers guidelines for exploring it.

Dr Clements' volume, like others in the series, contains the text in the New English Bible translation, divided into sections, with introductory material preceding, and a commentary directly following each section of the text. Dr Clements discusses the content and historical background of the book, and the theories about the authorship of Exodus, identifying briefly the four main sources.

This volume follows the general pattern of the series, opening with a discussion of content, of authorship and of the way the collection came to be put together, followed by a psalm-by-psalm presentation of the N.E.B. text with commentary.

The book of Job, which deals with deep-seated conflict between the integrity of God and the integrity of man and belongs to a group of writings known as wisdom literature, surpasses any of its known Babylonian or Egyptian forerunners in the beauty of its poetic discourses and in its insight.

The five Old Testament books dealt with in this volume of the Commentary occupied a special place in Hebrew tradition as selected readings for major festivals and were accordingly brought together in Hebrew manuscripts to form a group of five scrolls. The books of The Five Scrolls vary greatly; debate about their holiness and authority is recorded from the second century AD onwards.

The main body of the volume, contains the New English Bible translation of the text, divided into brief sections, alternating with sections of commentary. The results of recent Old Testament scholarship and modern theological thought are conveyed in simple language to the student and layman.

The prophet Ezekiel, in exile from the land of Judah, came, to see the reason for his country's downfall, and prophesied its eventual restoration with the revival of faith and moral responsibility. This visionary book is often difficult to understand. Dr Carley's commentary makes its meaning available to the modern reader, particularly by explaining the historical context.

Like the other Cambridge Bible Commentary volumes, this contains an introduction followed by the texts of the N.E.B. translation divided into sections. Each section of the text is followed by the commentary upon it. Mr Surdy discusses the the content, structure and authorship of the book, pointing to material from two distinct periods: 500-400 BC and some 500 years earlier.

Dr Whybray describes the ancient near-eastern tradition of producing collections of 'wisdom': instructions in the form of aphorisma and proverbs for the education of the young for a happy and successful career. He indicates the dependence of Proverbs on this tradition, but also points out how the Israelite authors modified it.

The six Old Testament books dealt with in this volume of the Commentary are part of a larger unit originally copied on one scroll and called the books of the twelve or minor prophets.

This volume follows the general pattern of the series, opening with a discussion of content, of authorship, and of the way the collection came to be put together, followed by a psalm-by-psalm presentation of the NEB text with commentary. Dr Rogerson and Dr McKay stress the richness and variety of the material in the Psalms, and provide an analytical table of the predominant themes.

The plan of this volume of commentary on the New English Bible text of three Old Testament books follows the pattern established by the New Testament series of Cambridge Bible Commentaries on the New English Bible.

The book of Leviticus originally formed part of a larger whole comprising what are now the first four or five books of the Old Testament. Its name is descriptive - 'the Levitical book' being about the personnel of the temple, all of whom were supposed to be descended from Levi.

Dr Nicholson's commentary on Jeremiah will occupy two volumes. The first deals with chapters 1-25 and also contains an introduction. This introduction surveys the historical background to the life and prophetic ministry of the prophet during the last decades of the kingdom of Judah.

The Making of the Old Testament is one of three books accompanying the volumes of commentary in the Old Testament and Apocrypha series of Cambridge Bible Commentaries on the New English Bible.