The Hebrew Bible - 1371 Words

In the course of human history, few books have fascinated scholars to the extent of the Hebrew Bible. This is not to say that biblical scholarship has been static. Instead, it has evolved over the course of many centuries of scrutiny, both of preceding scholarship and the Bible itself. Scholarship relating to the Hebrew Bible, then, is often grouped into two categories: the work of the ancient interpreters and that of modern scholarship. Operating from two very different sets of assumptions, there are many similarities and differences that can be found between the ways the ancient interpreters and modern scholars read and understand the Bible. The ancient interpreters, according to Kugel, were Jews and early Christians living and†¦show more content†¦The text clearly states that if man eats of the tree of the knowledge of good and bad, he will instantly die. However, according to Genesis 5:5, Adam lived a total of 930 years. Ancient interpreters viewed this not as a contr adiction or error, but rather an instance which can be clarified by using other passages (such as Psalm 90:4, which equates 1 day to 1000 years in the sight of the Lord.) This is discussed in the book of Jubilees, an apocryphal work attributed to the ancient interpreters. Thus, the ancient interpreters did not view Genesis 2:15-17 as contradictory or troubling, but rather drew upon their foundational assumptions to aid their understanding of a text. Modern scholars, however, have very a different understanding of the same text. Since the Bible contains no cryptic meaning, the issue of Adam’s death cannot be explained using other biblical texts. This, then, must be an error which exists within the text. Modern scholars noticed something else, however, which caused them to closely examine the language used in Genesis 1-3. The portrayal of God in Genesis 1 differed greatly from the portrayal in Genesis 2-3. This led to another key differenceShow MoreRelatedThe Hebrew Bible And The Bible Essay2023 Words   |  9 Pages The Hebrew Bible contains contradictory and inadequate information, which impacts my views about what the Hebrew Bible, says and what the Bible means. It has multiple significances. It is evident that various scriptures in the Hebrew Bible do not say what it means, nor does it mean what it says. â€Å"Ultimately, it s going to take some detective work in an effort to enhance interpretation further.†[pg. 6]. In addition, I feel that portions, and not all of the Hebrew Bible should be re-investigatedRead MoreThe Bible And The Hebrew Bible783 Words   |  4 Pagesa conclusion must be made that one can not put ancient literature into a neat and tidy â€Å"this is what the Bible is saying so it must be true† box. There are many parts of the Hebrew Bible that are strange to read. If many were lived out today, it would ostracize people, and to be blunt, land someone in prison. However, all of these passages are included in this great book, the Hebrew Bible, for a reason. They were important to the Jewish culture whom they were written for. Why were they importantRead MoreIn Judaism, GodS Word Is Found In The Hebrew Bible (Or1524 Words   |  7 PagesIn Judaism, God s word is found in the Hebrew Bible (or Old Testament), written entirely in Hebrew, except for a few chapters or verses that are in Aramaic, the Semitic language related to Hebrew. This is the most transled and mo st read worldwide book. The Bible is divided into: Torah (the five books of Moses), Nevi’im (Prophets) and Ketuvim (writings, Psalms). In rabbinic literature the word Torah it is common to refer to the entire Bible. The sacred book of Judaism is the Torah, which consistsRead MoreThe And Of The Hebrew Bible888 Words   |  4 Pageshas no one than this: to lay down one s life for one s friends† (John 15:13). This belief is shared by the tribes of Israel featured in the Hebrew Bible. This small nation requires each Israelite to be willing to die for the moral code and religious statutes handed down by their god, Yahweh. This ideal of selflessness is evident throughout the Hebrew Bible, but especially so in the stories of two midwives, the mother of Moses, and a prophet called Amos. Here, Israelites show the importance of beingRead MoreThe Bible And The Hebrew Bible2344 Words   |  10 PagesThe book â€Å"Deuteronomy†, of the Hebrew Bible, describes the reiteratio n of laws that the people of Israel are to follow upon entrance to the Promised Land. Upon reviewing Deuteronomy, the people of Israel versus Moses and why Moses was refused entry to the land raises interesting questions. By predominantly focusing on the behavior of the people of Israel, the behavior of Moses, their interactions with the God, and the language used by the author(s) it provides some insight into how and why eventsRead MoreThe Hebrew Bible1781 Words   |  8 PagesIntroduction to the Hebrew Bible has provided me with a critical analysis of the Hebrew Bible and introduced a wide variety of interpretive strategies, including African American, anthropological, feminist, historical-critical, Jewish, and literary perspectives. These approaches were presented by our author’s, L. Juliana M. Claassens, Peter Enns, Walter Brueggemann, and John L. Collins. Each author provides a unique interpretation to help us comprehend how the text is an expression of one’s interpretiveRead MoreSocratesApology And The Hebrew Bible1493 Words   |  6 Pageshow they view their world. The people in Socrates’ Apology and the Hebrew Bible have different ways of life. The Greek gods and the Hebrew God shape these people’s views, and they live the way their Gods want them to. Socrates’ gods and the Jews’ God give them a sense of authority in how they live and view their world. It evidently shows in Socrates’ Apology while Socrates defends himself in court, and in the books of the Bible when the Jews follow God and how they judge before and after JesusRead MoreThe Reading Of The Hebrew Bible1867 Words   |  8 PagesIn the required reading of The Hebrew Bible, the character referred to as God is represented as a very mysterious character in several different instances. God appears to test the humans He creates periodically without cause. He punishes more than just the guilty offenders with His wrath and yet will reward the unfavorable actions of others. He appears to be a constant contradiction of His own ethical code leaving a sense of confusion towards any definition of morality. In the beginning of GenesisRead MoreBiblical Context Of The Hebrew Bible2238 Words   |  9 PagesLydia ATS2185 Assignment 3: Essay (40%) 1. The Hebrew Bible contains at least three different creation myths. Discuss these different accounts, highlighting their similarities and differences. This essay requires the analysis of the different creation myths in the Hebrew Bible. Before proceeding, I will first define the key term- ‘Creation’ and fit it into a biblical context. According to the Oxford dictionary, creation is the â€Å"action or process of bringing something into existence. In a biblicalRead MoreComparison Between Judaism And Christianity1711 Words   |  7 Pagessome kind of common ground especially when it comes to two of the oldest and most significant religions in existence today. Judaism and Christianity are two of the more universally practiced religions today. They are both rooted in their faith in the Bible, both believe in one God, and follow the Word of God. The similarities between these two groups are almost as important as their differences. There is one main difference that separates the two religions, and that is Jesus Christ. Christians believed