Table Of ContentA Theological Introduction to the Old Testament
A Theological Introduction
to the Old Testament
Mark W. Hamilton
1
1
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Hamilton, Mark W., author.
Title: A theological introduction to the Old Testament / Mark W. Hamilton.
Description: New York : Oxford University Press USA, 2018. | Includes index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017032763 (print) | LCCN 2018005571 (ebook) |
ISBN 9780190203139 (updf) | ISBN 9780190865160 (epub) |
ISBN 9780190203115 (hardcover : alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Bible. Old Testament—Theology. | Bible.
Old Testament—Introductions.
Classification: LCC BS1192.5 (ebook) | LCC BS1192.5 .H35 2018 (print) | DDC 221.6/1—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017032763
9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Printed by Sheridan Books, Inc., United States of America
For Samjung, Nathan, and Hannah
Yosi son of Yoezer, the man from Saredah, says,
“Let your house be an assembly point for the wise. Powder yourself with
the dust of their feet and drink their words in gulps.”
(Pirqe Abot 1:4)
Contents
Acknowledgments ix
List of Abbreviations xi
1. Introduction 1
2. The Pentateuch in Brief 11
3. “In the Beginning”: The Book of Genesis 15
4. Rescue and Renewal: The Book of Exodus 33
5. On Holiness and Life: The Book of Leviticus 54
6. In the Desert: The Book of Numbers 65
7. On Memory and Action: The Book of Deuteronomy 82
8. Israelite Historiography 97
9. A New Land and a New People: The Book of Joshua 105
10. Seeking Order Amid Chaos: The Book of Judges 117
11. The Model Convert: The Book of Ruth 132
12. God, King, and People: 1– 2 Samuel 139
13. The Triumph and Tragedy of Monarchy: 1– 2 Kings 157
14. Rethinking Israel’s History: 1– 2 Chronicles 180
15. Ezra and Nehemiah: Finding Life After Death 193
16. The Queen of Comedies: The Book of Esther 201
17. Poetic and Wisdom Texts 207
18. God as Defendant and Plaintiff: The Book of Job 211
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19. The Praises and Laments of Israel: The Book of Psalms 222
20. Proverbs: Wisdom and the Order of the World 241
21. Ecclesiastes: Doubt as an Order of Faith 253
22. Love in the Air: The Song of Songs 261
23. Introduction to the Prophetic Books 267
24. Isaiah, the Prophet of Salvation 273
25. Not Just a Weeping Prophet: Jeremiah 290
26. Mourning a Lost World: The Book of Lamentations 308
27. Ezekiel, the Prophet of the Rebuilt Temple 314
28. Keeping Faith in a Distant Land: The Book of Daniel 331
29. The Twelve Minor Prophets 342
30. The Secondary Canon 369
31. What’s It All About? 386
Index of Biblical References 389
Subject Index 415
Acknowledgments
Many minds play a role in writing a book of this sort, and many deserve thanks. First,
I wish to thank the many students who have discussed the texts of the Old Testament
with me over the past two decades. Their names are too numerous to list, but their faces
run through my brain, and I recall them with affection and gratitude. The numerous
anonymous reviewers of the book in its various stages also contributed much to its clar-
ity and usefulness. Robert Miller and Steve Wiggins of Oxford University Press enabled
the publication of this project and encouraged its completion. Josiah Peeler has read and
commented on successive versions of the book, always to good effect and with cheer-
fulness. My children, Nathan Hamilton and Hannah Hamilton have not only suffered
through their father’s obsessions with teaching old texts to young people but have also
read large parts of this book with an eye toward its improvement. They have unstint-
ingly given of their knowledge of music and science far exceeding that of their father,
often with results that improve this book, and more importantly my life. Most of all,
I thank my wife and partner, Dr. Samjung Kang- Hamilton, who believed in this work
even through difficult patches in writing it.
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