Book of Jubilees

Description

A fine introduction to one of the most important texts of Early Judaism, including date, textual history, purpose, themes and a section-by-section commentary. The Book of Jubilees, a Jewish retelling of Genesis and the first half of Exodus, was an important work for the community of the Dead Sea Scrolls. This Guide, following the format of this successful series, gives an introduction to Jubilees that covers its dating, its textual history and its purpose; a survey of its theological teachings and themes; and a section-by-section commentary that includes a comparison of its divergences from Genesis and the meaning and emphasis of each section. This volume, by the leading authority on Jubilees, provides the very best introduction for the student and scholar to one of the most important texts of Early Judaism.

James VanderKam is John A. O'Brien Professor of Hebrew Scriptures, Department of Theology, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana, USA.

"VanderKam . . . notes that the book of Jubilees "is a second-century BCE retelling of the material found in Genesis and the first half of Exodus." He presents a description of the book; textual evidence; the major editions and translations into English; and the historical setting." --Ecclesiastical History, 53/1 Jan 2002 "VanderKam is the leading authority in the world on this book. A lifetime of scholarship is made readily accessible in this volume." --Ralph Klein, Currents in Theology and Mission, June 2002