Journal: Bulletin for Biblical Research
Volume: BBR 23:1 (NA 2013)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

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BBR 23:1 (2013) p. 79

Book Reviews

Geoffrey Khan and Diana Lipton, eds. Studies in the Text and Versions of the Hebrew Bible in Honour of Robert Gordon. VTSup 149. Leiden: Brill, 2012. Pp. xx + 436. ISBN 978–90–04–21730–0. $212.00 cloth.

This volume includes a very broad and interesting arrangement of articles in celebration of an amazing man, Robert P. Gordon, Regius Professor of Hebrew at Cambridge University. His breadth of scholarship is evident in the wide range of articles that have been dedicated to him, often topics that Professor Gordon had dealt with in some way. His reputation for scholarship and kindness is evident in Professor Macintosh’s apt summary of the Festschrift: “It captures an important aspect of the man—his firm commitment to his core beliefs, his willingness to teach and lead, and his understanding that humour facilitates all these endeavours” (p. 1). One thing that I admired most about him was how accommodating he was in allowing his students to work on topics with him.

In every collection of articles from a variety of scholars, some will be very good and some will leave the reader still wanting more evidence. While each of the articles is interesting and merits inclusion in such a collection, some are not as convincing as others. Also, it would have been helpful to provide readers with some biographical information about each author. In a review of this size, I will briefly mention some of the best articles and then point out some that still need more work.

A. R. Millard presents an extremely well argued and convincing article entitled “Are There Anachronisms in the Books of Samuel?” Millard examines both areas of “coined money” and “siege techniques” to show how they are not anachronistic. His conclusion states: “Arguments can be brought against all the alleged ‘blatant anachronisms’ in Samuel. . . . Some may be stronger than others, but in no case can an anachronism be proved” (p. 46). Hans M. Barstad provides an article on “Jeremiah the historian.” This helpful and carefully argued article shows that Jer 46:1–2 and Jer 46:13–28/45:30 provide valuable historical information concerning the latter part of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign. The history concerning the psalms and biblical theology discussed by R. E. Clements is quite interesting and reminds the reader how important it is to bridge the gap between scholarship and the life of the modern Christian church. While the structure of the book of Job can be complex and confusing, V. Philips Long proposes a plausible explanation for the third cycle and for Job’s having written ch. 28. Brian A....

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