IVP Dictionary of the Old Testament Bundle: Wisdom, Poetry, and Writings & Prophets (2 vols.)

by Mark J. Boda; J. Gordon McConville; Peter Enns; Tremper Longman III

Publishers:

IVP Academic; Inter-Varsity

, 2008–2012

Overview

This two-volume collection of Old Testament dictionaries completes the IVP Bible Dictionary Series’ coverage of the Old Testament with hundreds of articles from top scholars, thoroughly covering each canonical book of prophetic, wisdom, and poetic literature. With accessible yet scholarly articles and thorough, up-to-date bibliographies, these volumes are the best place for the student, pastor, scholar, or lay-person to begin study of these portions of Scripture.

Key Features

• Coverage of each prophetic book, including separate articles on history of interpretation and key methods of interpretation
• Well-rounded treatments of Israelite prophecy and its ancient Near Eastern context
• Full coverage of literary dimensions of poetry and prose
• Well-rounded treatments of Israelite wisdom and Wisdom literature
• Up-to-date bibliographies

Product Details

• Title: IVP Dictionary of the Old Testament Bundle Upgrade
• Series: The IVP Bible Dictionary Series
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press
• Volumes: 2
• Pages: 1,963

Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets

• Editors: Mark J. Boda and J. Gordon McConville
• Series: The IVP Bible Dictionary Series
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press
• Publication Date: 2012
• Pages: 966

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

With the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets, IVP’s Black Dictionary series completes its coverage of the Old Testament canonical books. A true compendium of recent scholarship, the volume includes 115 articles covering all aspects of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, the Twelve, and Daniel. Each book’s historical, cultural, religious and literary background is thoroughly covered, alongside articles on interpretation history and critical method. Pastors, scholars, and students will find this an essential resource for their Old Testament studies.

This eighth volume in the Black Dictionary series continues to provide up-to-date, accessible scholarship in the tradition established by the prior volumes. As has consistently been done in previous volumes, the editors have assembled a stellar cast of contributors to acquaint the reader with information necessary to the understanding of the prophets and the prophetic literature, as well as to the hermeneutical issues and to the conversations current in scholarship. The strength of this and the other volumes in the series is that, while they provide important introductory material, they also offer the reader a remarkable depth that allows a mature and nuanced understanding of the subject matter, thereby surpassing other dictionaries, surveys, and even commentaries. Every pastor and scholar should not only add this to their library but should keep it ready to hand for constant use.

—John Walton, professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College

The advantage of the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets is focus. Attention is paid in a sustained way to the prophets as a specific literary collection, and the reward is integration and mutual illumination across these varied witnesses. The volume deals with older questions of history, method, and culture, and newer concerns with hermeneutics, canon, and theological significance. History of interpretation is also provided. This up-to-date resource will prove useful both in the classroom and in the scholarly discussion.

—Christopher R. Seitz, research professor of biblical interpretation, Wycliffe College, University of Toronto

IVP’s ‘Black Dictionaries’ are renowned as a primary resource for serious study of the Bible. The volume on the prophets brings the coverage of the Old Testament canon to completion. Boda and McConville have gathered an exceptional group of both senior and younger contributors who have maintained the superior quality of the articles that has characterized the previous volumes. The scope of the articles is comprehensive, their content profound. All the articles give an up-to-date description of the state of the art on a particular topic, and many make new important contributions. I highly recommend this volume for all students of the Bible, in particular students, clergy, and scholars.

—Tremper Longman III, Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies, Westmont College

The Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets completes IVP’s Dictionary of the Old Testament with a rich and comprehensive volume on a part of Scripture that intrigues many people. Combining careful research with readability, this is an excellent addition to the libraries of all who wish to learn more about the Bible. Students and pastors in particular will want to make it their first point of reference when working on the prophetic books.

—Nathan MacDonald, research team leader, Göttingen University

Mark J. Boda is professor of Old Testament at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

J. Gordon McConville is professor of Old Testament theology at the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham, England. He is the author of several books and studies on Old Testament topics, including Law and Theology in Deuteronomy, the Two Horizons Commentary: Joshua, and more.

Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry, and Writings

• Editors: Tremper Longman III and Peter Enns
• Series: The IVP Bible Dictionary Series
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press
• Publication Date: 2008
• Pages: 967

Sample Pages: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

The Old Testament books of wisdom and poetry carry themselves differently from those of the Pentateuch, the histories, or the prophets. The divine voice does not peal from Sinai, there are no narratives carried along by prophetic interpretation, nor are oracles declaimed by a prophet. Here Scripture often speaks in the words of human response to God and God’s world. The hymns, laments, and thanksgivings of Israel, the dirge of Lamentations, the questionings of Qohelet, the love poetry of the Song of Songs, the bold drama of Job, and the proverbial wisdom of Israel all offer their textures to this great body of biblical literature. Then too, there are the finely crafted stories of Ruth and Esther that narrate the silent providence of God in the course of Israelite and Jewish lives.

This third Old Testament volume in InterVarsity Press’ celebrated “Black Dictionary” series offers nearly 150 articles covering all the important aspects of Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Song of Songs, Lamentations, Ruth, and Esther. Over 90 contributors, many of them experts in this literature, have contributed to the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry, and Writings. This volume maintains the quality of scholarship that students, scholars, and pastors have come to expect from this series.

Coverage of each biblical book includes an introduction to the book itself as well as separate articles on its ancient Near Eastern background and its history of interpretation. Additional articles amply explore the literary dimensions of Hebrew poetry and prose, including acrostic, ellipsis, inclusio, intertextuality, parallelism, and rhyme. And there are well-rounded treatments of Israelite wisdom and wisdom literature, including wisdom poems, sources, and theology. In addition, a wide range of interpretive approaches are canvassed in articles on hermeneutics, feminist interpretation, form criticism, historical criticism, rhetorical criticism, and social-scientific approaches.

The Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry, and Writings is sure to command shelf space within arm’s reach of any student, teacher, or preacher working in this portion of biblical literature.

A stellar cast of younger and senior scholars has put together a handbook for the study of the writings of the Old Testament. While one will find easy access to the expected and necessary basic information on the various books of wisdom and poetry, there will be some interesting surprises for readers as the authors take up theological, rhetorical, metaphorical, and sociological dimensions of this literature. An important sign of the times is the fact that for each biblical book, major attention is given to the history of its interpretation.

—Patrick D. Miller, professor emeritus of Old Testament theology, Princeton Theological Seminary

At last, a fully comprehensive, fascinating compendium of information about Psalms, Wisdom literature, and other writings of the Old Testament! From characters such as Ruth to major wisdom books such as Job, from scholarly method to major theological themes, this volume gives us articles of real depth and substance. Its broad and thorough remit includes contributions on Jewish and Christian tradition, festival worship, ancient Near Eastern background, and Hebrew language from a range of highly qualified experts in the field. An essential reference book for all serious-minded students of the Hebrew Scriptures.

—Katharine J. Dell, senior lecturer in Old Testament studies, University of Cambridge

This volume in the acclaimed InterVarsity Press Bible dictionaries will serve to further enhance the reputation of the series. Longman and Enns have brought together a great team of authors to cover wisdom, poetry, and writings of the Old Testament. This volume is comprehensive and up to date as, for example, the articles on history of interpretation and intertextuality indicate. This volume will be an invaluable resource for students, pastors, and scholars as they seek to hear God’s address through these biblical books. The wisdom and poetic books have not always received the attention they deserve, and this volume will play a significant role in addressing that imbalance. Highly recommended!

—Craig Bartholomew, H. Evan Runner Professor of Philosophy and professor of religion, Redeemer University College, Ontario, Canada

This volume on wisdom, poetry, and writings covers over 100 topics like acrostic poetry, Old Testament ethics, Psalms of lament, Messiah, retribution, rhetorical criticism, and worship. The articles are scholarly but accessible and unintimidating. Both pastors and laymen will be able to profit from this dictionary without having to know or read Hebrew.

—David Wenkel, Christian Library Journal

Tremper Longman III (MDiv, Westminster Theological Seminary; PhD, Yale University) is Robert H. Gundry Professor of Biblical Studies at Westmont College. He is also visiting professor of Old Testament at Mars Hill Graduate School, visiting professor of Old Testament at Westminster Theological Seminary, and adjunct of Old Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. He lectures regularly at Mars Hill, Regent College in Vancouver, and the Canadian Theological Seminary in Calgary. Longman is the author or coauthor of over 20 books, including An Introduction to the Old Testament (with Raymond B. Dillard) and many others.

Peter Enns (PhD, Harvard) is professor of Old Testament at Eastern University. He has also served on the faculty of Westminster Theological Seminary as professor of Old Testament. He is the author of several books, including the Two Horizons Commentary: Ecclesiasties and the NIV Application Commentary: Exodus.