The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha Vol. 1

by James H. Charlesworth

Paper Book, 1983

Status

Available

Call number

229

Collection

Publication

Garden City, N.Y. : Doubleday, 1983-1985.

Description

Expansions of the "Old Testament" and legends, wisdom and philosophical literature, prayers, psalms and odes, and fragments of lost Judeo-Hellenistic works. The writers of the Bible lived in a world filled with many writings. Some of these documents are lost forever, but many have been preserved. Part of these extant sources are the Pseudepigrapha. This collection of Jewish and Christian writings shed light on early Judaism and Christianity and their doctrines. This landmark set includes all 65 Pseudepigraphical documents from the intertestamental period that reveal the ongoing development of Judaism and the roots from which the Christian religion took its beliefs. A scholarly authority on each text contributes a translation, introduction, and critical notes for each text. Volume 2 includes expansions of the "Old Testament" legends, wisdom, and philosophical literature; prayers, psalms, and odes; and fragments of lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works. --… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member slaveofOne
No scholar's library is complete without it (and its companion).
LibraryThing member markbstephenson
Don't miss The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs which Jesus evidently knew well.
LibraryThing member Kushana
This is one half of the standard two volume collection used by scholars of books that did not make it into the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament. The translations are up-to-date and the notes and introductions are clear and helpful guides to each work. An invaluable collection of Jewish life and thought
Show More
(including efforts at assimilation to Greek culture) in far newer translations than can be found for free online.

Highly recommended for anyone who is curious about what isn't in the Bible.

-Kushana
Show Less
LibraryThing member agyapw
This PB edition is great value, and particularly suitable for students. The print quality is great and the pagination the same as in other editions for ease of reference, although the margins are smaller to accomodate the smaller format. The cover and binding are not heavy-duty, however, and I've
Show More
found it essential to have the book covers stiffened.
Show Less
LibraryThing member deusvitae
The defining resource for Old Testament pseudepigrapha.

The first volume contains apocalypses and testaments, featuring prominent works like 1 Enoch and the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs as well as lesser known texts.

Each text is translated into modern English and prefaced with an
Show More
introduction explaining what is known about the text's origin, likely location, relation to the OT/NT/pseudepigrapha, etc. The introductions are of the highest quality and facilitate understanding.

The only challenge is the uneven nature of the work since it is collaborative: some texts are full of explanatory notes, others have very few indeed.

Nevertheless, if you have any interest in pseudepigraphal literature, this is a must have and must read resource.
Show Less
LibraryThing member Frans_J_Vermeiren
This collection (in 2 volumes) - the ancient Jewish or Jewish-Christian texts and the excellent introductions - opens the door to an unknown and fascinating religious world. Indispensable in the study of the origins of Christianity.

Physical description

24 cm

ISBN

0385096305 / 9780385096300

Local notes

See also Delamarter's Index, in stock.
Page: 0.3872 seconds