
Poetry was a key art-form for the ancient Jews, the most distinctive way in which they tried to depict the relationship between God and his people. The Poems and Psalms of the Hebrew Bible introduces the reader to the full range of the poetry of the Old Testament, both outside the Psalter and within it. After considering the essential elements of Hebrew verse, it looks at the most familiar poems--the Psalms, the Songs of Solomon, and the poetry of Job and Proverbs--as well as at less familiar examples of poems which by contrast are embedded in narrative, such as war poetry, harvest hymns, elegies, prayers of protest, and thanksgiving songs. The book is addressed to both specialists and non-specialists; no knowledge of Hebrew is presumed, and a bibliography following each chapter offers suggestions for further study.
This work investigates the function, structure, and theological significance of poetic forms within the Hebrew Bible. S. E. Gillingham, a lecturer in theology at Oxford, utilizes a comparative analysis of canonical texts to demonstrate how poetry served as a primary medium for articulating the relationship between the divine and the community. The text provides a framework for understanding both the technical mechanics of Hebrew verse and the diverse contexts in which these poems were composed and utilized.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Experts and students frequently cite this text as an accessible entry point for understanding the complexities of biblical poetry. Readers often note the balance between technical linguistic analysis and broader theological interpretation, making it a standard resource for both academic and lay study.
Page Count:
328
Publication Date:
1994-08-18
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192132423
ISBN-13:
9780192132420
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