The Jewish Pseudepigrapha: An Introduction to the Literature of the Second Temple Period

by Susan Docherty

Publisher:

SPCK

, 2014

Overview

This is a concise yet comprehensive guide to the Pseudepigrapha: the Jewish texts of the late Second Temple Period (ca. 250 BC–100 AD) that are not included in the Hebrew Bible or standard collections of the Apocrypha. Each chapter deals with a specific literary genre (such as apocalyptic, testaments, and “rewritten Bible”), encouraging readers to appreciate the texts as literature as well as furthering their understanding of each book’s content and historical significance. A helpful introduction to an often overlooked body of literature, this book surveys key issues such as date, authorship, purpose, fundamental theological themes, and significance.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Surveys the literary genres of the Pseudepigripha
• Discusses the content and significance of the texts
• Includes information on the date, authorship, and theological themes of each book

Contents

• Introduction
• Rewritten Bible
• Para-biblical Literature or Biblical Expansions
• Non-narrative Literature: Poems, Hymns and Drama
• Testaments
• Apocalyptic Literature
• Conclusions

Top Highlights

“The Book of Jubilees retells the narrative of the book of Genesis and the early chapters of the book of Exodus, following the structure and wording of the biblical source very closely.” (Page 14)

“The significance of writings like Jubilees and the Biblical Antiquities for today lies in the light they throw on three main areas: the formation of the text of the Hebrew Bible, the tradition of early Jewish interpretation of it, and theological developments in the Second Temple period. First, these books sometimes seem to be reproducing a form of the scriptural text which is different from the Masoretic type which became the standard version in Judaism and which underlies the major modern translations of the Hebrew Bible.” (Page 34)

“A great wealth of other texts were composed by Jews in the centuries ‘between the testaments’, however, which are not so well known or widely appreciated today.” (Page 1)

“At the heart of the Book of Jubilees lies the theme of God’s covenant relationship with the people of Israel” (Page 19)

“The great majority of Jews, however, did not live in Palestine but elsewhere in the Hellenistic world” (Page 6)

Praise for the Print Edition

Susan Docherty offers a clear and concise introduction, based on impeccable scholarship, which opens up this fascinating world to students and general readers.

—Philip Alexander, emeritus professor of postbiblical Jewish literature, University of Manchester

This volume offers an authoritative and accessible introduction to an ancient corpus of religious texts neglected by the mainstream Judaeo-Christian tradition and largely beyond the reach of a wider readership.

—Charlotte Hempel, reader of Hebrew Bible and Second Temple Judaism, University of Birmingham

Product Details

• Title: The Jewish Pseudepigrapha: An Introduction to the Literature of the Second Temple Period
• Author: Susan Docherty
• Publisher: SPCK
• Print Publication Date: 2014
• Logos Release Date: 2014
• Pages: 224
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subject: Apocryphal books (Old Testament) › Criticism, interpretation, etc
• ISBNs: 9780281064823, 9780281073023, 9781451490282, 9781451496727, 0281064822, 0281073023, 1451490283, 1451496729
• Resource ID: LLS:JWSHPSDPGRPH
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:00:18Z

About Susan Docherty

Susan Docherty is reader in biblical studies and head of theology at Newman University, Birmingham. She is the current chair of the Annual Seminar on the Use of the Old Testament in the New Testament, and serves as member of the steering group for the Society of Biblical Literature Hebrews Section. She specializes in early Jewish and early Christian scriptural interpretation. Her recent publications include: The Use of the Old Testament in Hebrews; Genesis in the New Testament; and The Scriptures of Israel in Jewish and Christian Tradition.

Sample Pages from The Jewish Pseudepigrapha: An Introduction to the Literature of the Second Temple Period