The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, Vol. 2: Expansions of the "Old Testament" and Legends, Wisdom and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works

Western culture has been shaped largely by the Bible. In attempting to understand the Scriptures, scholars of the last three hundred years have intensively studied both these sacred texts and other related ancient writings. A cursory examination reveals that their authors depended on other sources, some of which are lost and some of which have recently come to light. Part of these extant sources are the pseudepigrapha. Though the meaning of the word can be disputed by scholars, The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha is a collection of those writings which are, for the most part, Jewish or Christian and are often attributed to ideal figures in Israels past. The publication of Volume 2 now completes this landmark work. Together with Volume 1, Apocalyptic Literature and Testaments, these new translations present important documents, many for the first time in English, for all those People of the Book to study, contemplate, and understand. This second volume contains: Expansions of the Old Testament and Legends Clarifications, enrichments, expansions, and retellings of biblical narratives. The primary focus is upon Gods story in history, the ongoing drama in which the author claims to participate. Wisdom and Philosophical Literature Various collections of wise sayings and philosophical maxims of the Israelites. Prayers, Psalms and Odes Until recently, the Davidic psalms were considered to be the only significant group of psalms known by the Jews. This is no longer true. This section presents other collections of hymns, expressions of praise, songs of joy and sorrow, and prayers of petition that were important in the period 100 b.c. to a.d. 200. Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works After the Babylonian exile, Judaism increasingly began to reflect ideas associated with the Persians, Greeks, and Romans, often filtered through the cultures of Syria and Egypt. These fragments are examples of how this mix of cultures influenced Jewish writings. Together, both volumes of The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha present literature that shows the ongoing development of Judaism and the roots from which the Christian religion took its beliefs. Using the very latest techniques in biblical scholarship, this international team of recognized scholars has put together a monumental work that will enhance the study of Western religious heritage for years to come. The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, volume 2, Expansions of the "Old Testament" and Legends, Wisdom and Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms and Odes, Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works / James H. Charlesworth......Page 1 Frontmatter......Page 4 Contents......Page 7 Foreword / George W. MacRae, S.J.......Page 10 Foreword for Christians / James T. Cleland......Page 11 Foreword for Jews / Samuel Sandmel......Page 12 Editor's Preface / James H. Charlesworth......Page 16 Contributors......Page 19 Introduction for the General Reader / James H. Charlesworth......Page 22 Explanation of Typographical and Reference Systems......Page 36 List of Abbreviations......Page 38 Documents......Page 52 Expansions of the "Old Testament" and Legends......Page 54 Introduction / J. H. Charlesworth......Page 56 Letter of Aristeas (Third Century B.C.-First Century A.D.) R. J. H. Shutt......Page 58 Jubilees (Second Century B.C.) O. S. Wintermute......Page 86 Martyrdom and Ascension of Isaiah (Second Century B.C.-Fourth Century A.D.) M. A. Knibb......Page 194 Joseph and Aseneth (First Century B.C.-Second Century A.D.) C. Burchard......Page 228 Life of Adam and Eve (First Century A.D.) M. D. Johnson......Page 300 Pseudo-Philo (First Century A.D.) D. J. Harrington......Page 348 The Lives of the Prophets (First Century A.D.) D. R. A. Hare......Page 430 Ladder of Jacob (c. First Century A.D.? ) H. G. hunt......Page 452 4 Baruch (First to Second Century A.D.) S. E. Robinson......Page 464 Jannes and Jambres (First to Third Century A.D.) A. Pietersma and T. R. Lutz......Page 478 History of the Rechabites (First to Fourth Century A.D.) J. H. Charlesworth......Page 494 Eldad and Modad (prior to Second Century A.D.) E. G. Martin......Page 514 History of Joseph (prior to Fourth Century A.D.) G. T. Zervos......Page 518 Introduction / J. H. Charlesworth......Page 528 Ahiqar (Seventh to Sixth Century B.C.) J. M. Lindenberger......Page 530 3 Maccabees (First Century B.C.) H. Anderson......Page 560 4 Maccabees (First Century A.D.) H. Anderson......Page 582 Pseudo-Phocylides (First Century B.C.-First Century A.D.) P. W. van der Horst......Page 616 The Sentences of the Syriac Menander (Third Century A.D.) T. Baarda......Page 634 Introduction / J. H. Charlesworth......Page 658 More Psalms of David (Second Century B.C.-First Century A.D.) J. H. Charlesworth with J. A. Sanders......Page 660 Prayer of Manasseh (Second Century B.C.-First Century A.D.) J. H. Charlesworth......Page 676 Psalms of Solomon (First Century B.C.) R. B. Wright......Page 690 Hellenistic Synagogal Prayers (Second to Third Century A.D.) D. R. Darnell and D. A. Fiensy......Page 722 Prayer of Joseph (First Century A.D.) J. Z. Smith......Page 750 Prayer of Jacob (First to Fourth Century A.D.) J. H. Charlesworth......Page 766 Odes of Solomon (Late First to Early Second Century A.D.) J. H. Charlesworth......Page 776 Supplement: Fragments of Lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works......Page 824 Editor's Introduction / J. H. Charlesworth......Page 826 General Introduction, with a Note on Alexander Polyhistor / J. Strugnell......Page 828 Philo the Epic Poet (Third to Second Century B.C.) H. Attridge......Page 832 Theodotus (Second to First Century B.C.) F. Fallon......Page 836 Orphica (Second Century B.C.-First Century A.D.) M. Lafargue......Page 846 Ezekiel the Tragedian (Second Century B.C.) R. G. Robertson......Page 854 Fragments of Pseudo-Greek Poets (Third to Second Century B.C.) H. Attridge......Page 872 Aristobulus (Second Century B.C.) A. Yarbro Collins......Page 882 Demetrius the Chronographer (Third Century B.C.) J. Hanson......Page 894 Aristeas the Exegete (prior to First Century B.C.) R. Doran......Page 906 Eupolemus (prior to First Century B.C.) F. Fallon......Page 912 Pseudo-Eupolemus (prior to First Century B.C.) R. Doran......Page 924 Cleodemus Malchus (prior to First Century B.C.) R. Doran......Page 934 Artapanus (Third to Second Century B.C.) J. J. Collins......Page 940 Pseudo-Hecataeus (Second Century B.C.-First Century A.D.) R. Doran......Page 956 Index......Page 972 The writers of the Bible lived in a world filled with many writings. Some of these documents are lost forever, but many have been preserved. Part of these extant sources are the Pseudepigrapha. This collection of Jewish and Christian writings shed light on early Judaism and Christianity and their doctrines. This landmark set includes all 65 Pseudepigraphical documents from the intertestamental period that reveal the ongoing development of Judaism and the roots from which the Christian religion took its beliefs. A scholarly authority on each text contributes a translation, introduction, and critical notes for each text. Volume 2 includes expansions of the "Old Testament" legends, wisdom, and philosophical literature; prayers, psalms, and odes; and fragments of lost Judeo-Hellenistic Works. -- Amazon Expansions Of The Old Testament And Legends, Wisdom And Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms And Odes, And Fragments Of Lost Judeo-hellenistic Works. V. 1. Apocalyptic Literature And Testaments -- V. 2. Expansions Of The Old Testament And Other Legends, Wisdom And Philosophical Literature, Prayers, Psalms, And Odes, Fragments Of Lost Judeo-hellenistic Works. Edited By James H. Charlesworth. With The Cooperation And Assistance Of An International Team Of Scholars. General Foreword By George W. Macrae. Includes Bibliographies And Indexes.