The New Cambridge History of the Bible: Volume 1, From the Beginnings to 600

Provides a comprehensive account of the Bible's reception in the earliest period of its history, up to AD 600.

This volume provides a comprehensive account of the Bible's reception in the earliest period of its history. It reflects recent increasing specialization of Old Testament studies and rich research into Pentateuch theory, Septuagint scholarship and Qumran studies and devotes considerable attention to the period running from the New Testament to 600.Recent years have witnessed significant discoveries of texts and artefacts relevant to the study of the Old and New Testaments and remarkable shifts in scholarly methods of study. The present volume mirrors the increasing specialization of Old Testament studies, including the Hebrew and Greek Bibles, and reflects rich research activity that has unfolded over the last four decades in Pentateuch theory, Septuagint scholarship, Qumran studies and early Jewish exegesis of biblical texts. The second half of the volume discusses the period running from the New Testament to 600, including chapters on the Coptic, Syriac and Latin bibles, the 'Gnostic' use of the scriptures, pagan engagement with the Bible, the use of the Bible in Christian councils and in popular and non-literary culture. A fascinating in-depth account of the reception of the Bible in the earliest period of its history.