Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, 3rd ed.

by William W. Klein; Craig Blomberg; Robert L. Hubbard Jr.

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2017

Overview

Introduction to Biblical Interpretation, now in its third edition, is a bestselling hermeneutics textbook that sets forth concise, logical, and practical guidelines for discovering the truth in God’s Word. With updates and revisions throughout that keep pace with current scholarship, this book offers students the best and most up-to-date information needed to interpret Scripture.

Used in college and seminary classrooms around the world, this textbook is a trusted and valuable tool for students and other readers who desire to understand and apply the Bible.

Key Features

• Defines and describes hermeneutics, the science of biblical interpretation
• Suggests effective methods to understand the meaning of the biblical text
• Surveys the literary, cultural, social, and historical issues that impact any text
• Evaluates both traditional and modern approaches to Bible interpretation

Contents

• Part I—The Task of Interpretation
  • Chapter 1: The Need for Interpretation
  • Chapter 2: The History of Interpretation
  • Chapter 3: Literary and Social-Scientific Approaches to Interpretation
  • Chapter 4: The Canon and Translations
• Part II—The Interpreter and the Goal
  • Chapter 5: The Interpreter
  • Chapter 6: The Goal of Interpretation
• Part III—Understanding Literature
  • Chapter 7: General Rules of Hermeneutics: Prose
  • Chapter 8: General Rules of Hermeneutics: Biblical Poetry
• Part IV—Understanding Bible Genres
  • Chapter 9: Genres of the Old Testament
  • Chapter 10: Genres of the New Testament
• Part V—The Fruits of Interpretation
  • Chapter 11: Using the Bible Today
  • Chapter 12: Application

Top Highlights

“A basic principle of biblical hermeneutics is that the intended meaning of any passage is the meaning that is consistent with the sense of the literary context in which it occurs.” (Page 294)

“The process of arriving at an accurate interpretation of written texts like the Bible involves an understanding of five essential items: (1) literary context (that is, the context that surrounds a specific text within the larger document); (2) historical-cultural background; (3) word meanings; (4) grammatical relationships; and (5) literary genre (the global literary context of which the text is a part: letter, apocalyptic, narrative, parable, etc.).” (Page 293)

“Interpretation is not either an art or a science; it is both an art and a science.” (Page 42)

“The word ‘canon’ comes from the Greek kanōn, meaning ‘list,’ ‘rule,’ or ‘standard.’ The canon of Scripture refers to the collection of biblical books that Christians accept as uniquely authoritative.” (Page 165)

“Hermeneutics provides a strategy that will enable us to understand the meaning and significance of what an author or speaker intended to communicate.” (Page 43)

Endorsements

The appearance of the third edition of Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (much more than a mere introduction!) stands as testimony to the book’s lasting influence and significance. The authors engage ongoing scholarship in biblical studies as they provide readers necessary principles and guidelines that impact the discipline of hermeneutics. Importantly, they also point readers to the fact that we must not be content merely to “master” the biblical text; rather, we must strive to let it master us. The book will greatly benefit those willing to invest the time to wrestle with its insights.

—Bryan E. Beyer, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Columbia International University

Long a foundational resource for the study of the Scriptures, Introduction to Biblical Interpretation now appears in a third edition. With updated discussions, footnotes, and bibliographies this work constructively engages developments in areas treated in previous editions and interacts with more recent approaches that bring fresh questions to the text. Deeply committed to the Bible as holy writ, the authors present guidelines for its careful study and application to life. Detailed yet practical, this valuable tool proves its worth for a new audience.

—M. Daniel Carroll R., Blanchard Chair of Old Testament, Wheaton College

Product Details

• Title: Introduction to Biblical Interpretation (Third Edition)
• Authors: William W. Klein, Craig Blomberg, Robert L. Hubbard Jr.
• Edition: Third Edition
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2017
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Bible › Hermeneutics
• ISBNs: 9780310524199, 9780310524175, 9780785252252, 0310524199, 0310524172, 0310524180, 0785252258, 9780310524182
• Resource ID: LLS:INTBIBINT3ED
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-05-24T16:06:16Z

About the Authors

William W. Klein (PhD, Aberdeen) is professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He is author of The New Chosen People: A Corporate View of Election and a commentary on Ephesians in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Revised Edition and serves as both editor and coauthor of Introduction to Biblical Interpretation with Craig Blomberg and Robert Hubbard.

Craig L. Blomberg (PhD, Aberdeen) is distinguished professor of New Testament at Denver Seminary. He is the author, coauthor, or coeditor of numerous books and more than 130 articles in journals or multiauthor works. A recurring topic of interest in his writings is the historical reliability of the Scriptures.

Robert L. Hubbard, Jr. (PhD, Claremont Graduate School) is emeritus professor of biblical literature at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. He is author of several books, including The Book of Ruth: New International Commentary on the Old Testament and Joshua in the NIV Application Commentary series and coauthor of Introduction to Biblical Interpretation with William Klein and Craig Blomberg.