Chapter Title: The Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament
Author: John Barton
Book Title: The Hebrew Bible: A Critical Companion
Editor: John Barton
Published by: Princeton University Press
Stable URL: JSTOR
Terms and Conditions of Use: Access via JSTOR indicates acceptance of terms.
The Old Testament is a collection of texts regarded as sacred in Judaism.
Majority written during the kingdom of Judah between the eighth and second centuries BCE.
Some texts possibly dating back to the tenth or eleventh century BCE, predating Homer.
Earliest manuscripts: Dead Sea Scrolls found at Khirbet Qumran, dating no older than the first century BCE.
Comparison with Mesopotamian and Egyptian texts shows that Israelite literature depends on later texts.
The Old Testament is often referred to as a library of books, encompassing various genres and historical contexts.
Early figures include legendary heroes: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and Joshua.
Israel emerged as a nation in the eleventh century under David and Solomon; these figures may be mostly legendary.
After Solomon's death, Israel split into two kingdoms:
Northern Kingdom (Ephraim/Israel)
Southern Kingdom (Judah)
The Northern Kingdom fell to the Assyrians in the 720s BCE, and Jerusalem fell to Babylonian rule in the sixth century BCE.
Major shifts in writing during the eighth and seventh centuries contributed to the formation of many Old Testament books, especially in Judah.
Prophetic texts developed during the sixth century alongside historical accounts of Israel’s early history.
Babylonian Exile led to significant literary activity; returning exiles influenced the reconstitution of Jewish life in Judah.
Key texts from this period: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and historical books (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings).
The Hellenistic period saw the composition of texts like Ecclesiastes and Daniel, and led to codification of Jewish scripture.
Old Testament: The term traditionally used, rooted in a Christian context, contrasting with the New Testament.
Hebrew Bible: More neutral terminology used in academic circles to avoid supersessionist implications tied to 'Old Testament'.
Issues arise in terminology:
Not strictly accurate as it includes Aramaic texts.
Highlights gaps where some Christian texts differ as not part of Judaism.
Ongoing discussions about terminology continue to affect scholarly and religious communities.
The majority of the Old Testament is in Hebrew, a Semitic language.
It has evolved over time, including influences from Persian and Greek.
Aramaic: Important language of the Bible, used in parts of Daniel and Ezra.
Aramaic was a lingua franca and historically significant.
Reading challenges arise due to textual conventions: early Hebrew texts recorded consonants with vowels needing to be inferred by readers.
Septuagint (LXX): Greek translation of Hebrew texts; significant for early Christians who often read this version.
Paul and other authors cited biblical texts primarily from the Greek translation, adding complexity to scripture interpretation.
Variations between Hebrew and Greek versions raise questions about textual authority and content authenticity.
Apocrypha means "hidden books"; includes texts recognized by some Christian denominations but not by Judaism.
Disputes in the early Christian canon involved acceptance and authority of these additional texts.
Treatment and recognition of the Apocryphal books vary among different denominations, including Orthodox and Catholic canons.
Judaism:
Divided into three sections: Torah, Prophets, Writings (Tanakh).
The Torah is central in halakhah (Jewish law), influencing much of Jewish life.
The authority of scripture is often challenged by rabbinic interpretation and tradition.
Christianity: More dialectical relationship with the Old Testament; some views see it as equally authoritative as the New Testament.
Non-legalistic interpretations allow for modification based on New Testament revelations.
The roles of ceremonial laws and Old Testament portrayals of God contribute to contemporary theological debates.
Both Judaism and Christianity's relationship with the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament is complex and multifaceted, reflecting historical, cultural, and theological nuances that continue to inform scholarly research and religious practice.
The dynamics between terms, translations, and textual authority continue to impact contemporary interpretations within both faiths.