R. B. Salters – författare

Ernest Nicholson's contribution to Old Testament study is here honoured by former pupils, colleagues, and friends. Throughout his career, in Trinity College, Dublin, and in the Universities of Cambridge and Oxford, he has been an effective ambassador for his subject at several levels: as a committed scholar, as an inspiring teacher, and as a loyal friend. The topic of Old Testament covenant has been a long-standing focus of many of his publications, and it is wholly appropriate that it should serve as a framework for this collection. The essays explore this topic from a variety of perspectives: literary, exegetical, historical, religious, and theological, and demonstrate its continuing vitality as a basis for original work in Old Testament study. The contributions include a substantial evaluation of Ernest Nicholson's writings.

While the book of Jonah is, in some ways, unique, it stands firmly in the Old Testament tradition. There have been various suggestions as to genre, the most likely being the (short) didactic story; but the aim of the author is not easy to discern. The authenticity of Jonah''s message to the Ninevites is stressed, as is their repentance, and Yahweh''s mercy. The purpose of the book must lie in a combination of these themes. Lamentations is a neglected book, perhaps because it was associated with the book of Jeremiah and considered almost as an appendix. On the question of genre it has the closest affinities with the psalms of lament; but, whereas it is very difficult to link a psalm with a specific historical event or period, the five chapters of Lamentations appear to have the Fall of Jerusalem as background. While gloom abounds, the careful reader discovers the faith of the author shining through. He is a "practical monotheist" who interprets the castastrophe of the fall of Jerusalem in the light of his faith.

For over one hundred years International Critical Commentaries have had a special place among works on the Bible. They bring together all the relevant aids to exegesis - linguistic, textual, archaeological, historical, literary, and theological - to help the reader understand the meaning of the books of the Old and New Testaments. R.B. Salters’ volume on Lamentations, a text not covered by the original volumes in the series, is now made available in paperback for the first time.

In this title, professor Robert B. Salters contributes his commentary on Lamentations to the International Critical Commentary Series. For over one hundred years, International Critical Commentaries have had a special place among works on the Bible. They bring together all the relevant aids to exegesis - linguistic, textual, archaeological, historical, literary, and theological - to help the reader understand the meaning of the books of the Old and New Testaments. The new commentaries continue this tradition. All new evidence now available is incorporated and new methods of study are applied. The authors are of the highest international standing. No attempt has been made to secure a uniform theological or critical approach to the biblical text: contributors have been invited for their scholarly distinction, not for their adherence to any one school of thought. Robert B. Salters, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament at St. Andrews University provides a masterful commentary on Lamentations , as befits this prestigious commentary series.