Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 43:4 (Dec 2000)
Article: Jewish Intertestamental And Early Rabbinic Literature: An Annotated Bibliographic Resource
Author: David W. Chapman

JETS 43:4 (Dec 00) p. 577

Jewish Intertestamental And Early Rabbinic Literature:
An Annotated Bibliographic Resource

David W. Chapman

Andreas J. Köstenbergera

The field of Jewish literature can be mystifying to the non-specialist. The initial obstacle often is where to go for texts, translations, concordances, and bibliography. Even many researchers more familiar with these materials often fail to take advantage of the best critical texts, translations, and helps currently available. The goal of this article is to summarize in a single location the principal texts, translations, and foundational resources for the examination of the central Jewish literature potentially pertinent to the background study of early Christianity. 1

Generally the procedure followed for each Jewish writing is to list the single most important work in the categories of bibliography, critical text, translation, concordance/index, lexical or grammatical aides, introduction, and commentary. Where deemed helpful, more than one work may be noted. English translations, introductions, and helps are generally preferred. Also noted in many instances are the language(s) of extant manuscripts and the likely dates of composition (reflecting the current scholarly consensus). While the emphasis is on printed editions, some computer-based resources are noted. Space did not permit bibliographies on Samaritan texts or on early Jewish liturgies, papyri, and inscriptions.

1. General Reference Tools (incl. Abbreviations)

1.1 Encyclopedias and Dictionaries

Encyclopaedia Judaica (16 vols.; Jerusalem: Keter, 1972). Also on CD-ROM.
[EncJud]

Freedman, David Noel, ed. The Anchor Bible Dictionary (6 vols.; New York: Doubleday, 1992). Useful introductory articles on much intertestamental literature. [ABD]

Singer, Isidore, et al., eds. The Jewish Encyclopedia (12 vols.; New York/London: Funk & Wagnalls, 1901–1906). Older than EncJud but often fuller articles. [JE]

JETS 43:4 (Dec 00) p. 578

Werblowsky, R. J. Zwi and Geoffrey Wigoder, eds. The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion (Oxford: OUP, 1997). [ODJR]

1.2 Works Containing Surveys of Jewish Literature

Davies, W. D., Louis Finkelstein, John Sturdy, and William Horbury, eds.
Cambridge History of Judaism (3 vols.; Cambridge: CUP, 1984–1999). [CHJ]

Evans, Craig A. Noncanonical Writings and New Testament Interpretation
(Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1992).

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