Marieke Dhont - Böcker

To understand the New Testament well, it is important to study the larger world surrounding it, and one of the primary avenues for this exploration is through reading related ancient texts, a daunting task for scholars and novices alike given the sheer size of the ancient literary corpora. The ALNTS series aims to bridge this gap by introducing the key ancient texts that form the cultural, historical, and literary context for the study of the New Testament.This volume explores two vital strands of ancient Jewish literature: (1) the Jewish apocrypha and (2) the Septuagint (the Old Greek translations of the Hebrew Bible). These text-collections reveal the rich and dynamic Jewish environments in which early devotion to Jesus Christ first emerged. Intriguing on their own, these text-collections also backlight the life of Jesus and the faith of his earliest followers, adding contours of depth to the writings of the New Testament in relation to the Jewish matrix of their time.Contributors: Samuel L. Adams, Loveday Alexander, Philip Alexander, Joshua Alfaro, Sonja Ammann, Anna Angelini, John Barton, Katell Berthelot, Francis Borchardt, Miryam T. Brand, Alma Brodersen, Nuria Calduch-Benages, Adela Yarbro Collins, John J. Collins, Lindsey A. Davidson, David A. deSilva, Susan Docherty, Joseph R. Dodson, Michael W. Duggan, Craig A. Evans, Lisbeth S. Fried, Edmon L. Gallagher, Pieter B. Hartog, Tuukka Kauhanen, Olivia Stewart Lester, David Lincicum, William Loader, Francis M. Macatangay, Jean Maurais, Jill Middlemas, Gerbern S. Oegema, Mika S. Pajunen, Nicholas Perrin, Barbara Schmitz, Marco Settembrini, Shayna Sheinfeld, Jan A. Sigvartsen, Malka Simkovich, Gert J. Steyn, Markus Witte, and Benjamin G. Wright III.

This volume provides a critical introduction to Hellenistic Jewish Literature. It offers serious students and scholars with an overview of the scholarly issues for each work (covering issues such as date, provenance, language, content, style, reception, contribution to ancient Judaism, etc.) as well as important information about critical editions, manuscripts, and secondary scholarship, serving as a clear starting point for anyone who is interested in this corpus of literature.The volume begins with a set of thematic essays, providing orientation for the reader and examining core general issues such as language, geography and identity. The core of the volume provides overviews of the scholarly issues surrounding texts. Each entry provides readers with the core information necessary to study the text in depth and to understand its impact upon our understanding of Hellenistic Judaism and its later reception.

This volume honours the life and scholarship of James K. Aitken (1968–2023), a distinguished scholar of Hebrew and Early Jewish Studies at the University of Cambridge. Bringing together fourteen original essays by colleagues, students, and friends, the collection explores themes central to Aitken’s work. Contributors examine the interplay between language and identity in ancient Jewish communities, with particular attention to the Septuagint and its place within the history of Greek.Aitken’s intellectual legacy is reflected in the breadth of topics covered, from lexical studies and syntactic analysis to sociolinguistic phenomena and historical context. The essays build on his pioneering research and continue conversations he began, offering fresh insights into the lived realities of Jews in the Hellenistic world.More than a scholarly tribute, this volume is a testament to Aitken’s collegial spirit and mentorship. The editors—William A. Ross, Marieke Dhont, and Christopher Fresch—were all shaped by his guidance and friendship, and have curated a collection that reflects both his academic influence and personal impact. With contributions from leading international scholars, this book stands as a fitting memorial to a beloved teacher, collaborator, and friend.