Books in the Society for Old Testament Study series

A collection of essays that covers text, translation, and theology - the three nouns in the title indicate the main fields of Old Testament study.

The negative biblical presentation of King Saul of Israel has been biased in favour of David at the expense of Saul. This book presents a positive picture and realistic view of the culture of the period extending from Saul to the schism drawing on literary, historical and archaeological material to present a balanced view of the period.

Offers a selection of essays on the life and literature of the ancient Hebrews. This book includes subjects that range from the Hebrew God, the world-view of the Bible, and the formation of the scriptural canon, to peasant poverty, women's work, the good life, and prophetic street theatre.

The "Book of Proverbs" continues to be seen as a disorganised repository of traditional banalities, while "Job" and "Qohelet" are viewed as more exciting texts, in revolt against "Proverbs'" conventional wisdom. This book argues that this misleading consensus owes more to scholarly presuppositions than to the content of "Proverbs".

Presents Nicolas Wyatt's discussions of royal ideology, its mythic and ritual expressions and various literary treatments in ancient Israel, viewed from a comparative perspective. The author considers the main early cultural influences on Israel and emphasizes the mythic dimension in which the 'divinity' of the king is a real factor.

Examines the personification of Wisdom as a female figure - a central motif in Proverbs, Job, Sirach, Wisdom and Baruch. The author identifies how and why the complex character of Wisdom was introduced into the Israelite tradition, and created and developed by Israelite/Jewish wisdom teachers and writers.

The oracles about the nations in Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel originate in the ancient Laments. Ultimately they were preserved because of their relevance to the Year of Jubilee, with its origins in the New Year Festival; this study illuminates their intention.