In this volume, Richard J. Clifford seeks to make the biblical wisdom literature intelligible to modern readers. It is easy to quote the occasional proverb, say a few things about "the problem of evil" in Job, or quote "vanity of vanities, " but far more rewarding to read the whole book with an appreciative and informed eye.
Opening chapters of The Wisdom Literature comment on the striking similarities between ancient and modern "wisdom literature" and on the comparable literature from ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Canaan. Thereafter, a chapter is devoted to each...
In this volume, Richard J. Clifford seeks to make the biblical wisdom literature intelligible to modern readers. It is easy to quote the occasional...
Clifford differs from other commentators on the Psalms chiefly in his concern with the inner dramatic logic of the Psalms - how they organize the experience and desires of the "pray-er" and bring them to a proper conclusion. His primary concern is to help readers see the pattern and progression within the Psalms, while at the same time attending to the richness of their words and the texture of their imagery.
Clifford differs from other commentators on the Psalms chiefly in his concern with the inner dramatic logic of the Psalms - how they organize the expe...
This second volume completes Richard Clifford's Commentary on the Psalms. The richimagery of the Psalms has guided and molded pray-ers since ancient times. As we seekto understand the threads and colors of the Psalms, Clifford helps us see theirinner dramatic logic, how they organize the experience and desires of the pray-er, and how they seek to move us. His primary concern is to help readers see the patternand progression within the Psalms, while attending to their complex, evocativenature.
This second volume completes Richard Clifford's Commentary on the Psalms. The richimagery of the Psalms has guided and molded pray-ers since ancient t...
Fair Spoken and Persuading argues that Isaiah 40-55 is a collection of substantial speeches that reinterpret national traditions to answer a sixth century question: how could the exiles be Israel outside of the sacred land? The prophet's answer: by making a fresh Exodus and Conquest. The Judahites would become Israel through their brave and trustful journeying to Zion (Second Isaiah's name for Jerusalem). Second Isaiah is therefore not just a poet but an orator. His program of action ? one becomes Israel through action ? is still relevant today for both Jews and Christians who seek...
Fair Spoken and Persuading argues that Isaiah 40-55 is a collection of substantial speeches that reinterpret national traditions to answer a sixth cen...
The term ""cosmic mountain"" is a rendering of the nineteenth-century German scholarly designation Weltberg, which was derived from ancient Mesopotamian sources. The book offers a critique of the concept, especially as it has been applied to West Semitic religion, chiefly that witnessed to in Ugaritic texts and the Bible. Chapter 2 examines the connection of various Ugaritic deities to sacred mountains--El, Baal, Mot, Anat, and other deities. Chapter 3 studies the concept in Genesis, in the Sinai and Zion traditions, and in the Solomonic Temple. The last chapter looks at the concept in some...
The term ""cosmic mountain"" is a rendering of the nineteenth-century German scholarly designation Weltberg, which was derived from ancient Mesopotami...
