Speaking on the Brink of Sheol : Form and Message of Old Testament Death Stories

Since its inception at the beginning of the twentieth century, form criticism has diminished in popularity and use in recent years. Bryan H. Cribb's studies demonstrates that, if appropriately modified, form criticism still has much to add to Old Testament studies. Using a synchronic and inductive approach to the text, Cribb engages in a form critical study of nine "death stories" in the Old Testament. In so doing, he not only provides substantial support for the existence of this genre, but he also shows how remarkably fruitful such a study can be in revealing the messages of these accounts. TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES FOREWORD PREFACE ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ABBREVIATIONS INTRODUCTION 1. METHODOLOGY 2. DEATH IN ISRAEL AND IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST 3. DEATH ACCOUNTS IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST AND ISRAEL AND THE OLD TESTAMENT GENRE OF DEATH STORY 4. FORM CRITICAL EXEGESIS OF THE DEATH STORIES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT 5 CONCLUSIONS APPENDIX BIBLIOGRAPHY INDEX